New chairman Andy Nanda has a five-year plan to bring the good times back to Hythe Town.

Nanda arrives with big ambitions for the Cannons after completing his takeover at Reachfields.

It’s time for a reset following relegation from Isthmian South East, with the club rebuilding in Southern Counties East under new manager Ira Jackson.

There will be a focus on youth, both in terms of bringing young players through to the first team and developing an academy.

Nanda also wants to install an artificial pitch next summer, enhancing the club’s community appeal.

“We’ve got a lot of plans and it’s just starting,” said Nanda.

“Hythe’s such a beautiful town and the facilities are great.

“We just want to improve the club in the next five years.

“It will be eventful times going forward.

“I think it’s going to improve and we’re going to bring a lot of youth in and have a pathway for them to go into the first team.

“We want to play exciting football - that’s the aim.

“That’s what everyone wants to see.

“We want a lot of footfall coming through the doors.

“The structures will change, the facilities will change, and I’m excited to be part of it.

“I’ve always had a passion for football and always wanted to do something this big and do it from grassroots all the way up.

“Now I’ve got it, I hope I can do it and just put it all together and make this place a desirable place to be.

“This is what’s drawn me here.

“I came here a couple of years ago to watch a cup final with my son and I just had a hunch, I thought, ‘One day, I think I’m going to be here’.

“It was a dream and it came true.

“I thought if I ever take over I will just change everything around and I will make this a place where people want to go and watch football.

“Two years ago we were in the play-off final.

“We’ve dropped down a little bit but if we can bring the football back and bring that unity back, the fans will be behind us.”

Hythe will be playing Step 5 football for the first time since 2011 following relegation.

Nanda wants to see the Cannons back in the Isthmian League but won’t run before he can walk.

“Let’s hope we can go back next year but it will probably take its time,” said Nanda, who previously ran a youth side.

“It’s going to happen organically, we’re not going to try to push it too quickly because it will fall back down.

“We want to do it right. We don’t want to go through the number of players we have this season.

“We have to have stability and that’s another key thing we’re looking for, with the manager and the team.

“We’ve got a plan for the next five years to implement all the things we want to do, ie the 3G pitch, the academy, improve the facilities, get a promotion in the next year or two, and just play some exciting football and bring smiles on everyone’s faces.

“When I go and watch football, this is what I enjoy.

“When they’re playing good football it doesn’t matter who it is, it brings a smile to my face and that’s what I want to see.”

Nanda has good people around him as he puts his plan into action.

They will be key to the club’s success.

“The volunteers we’ve got here are excellent and without them, this football club wouldn’t survive,” said Nanda.

“The job they’re doing is just amazing and if they all stay behind us, who knows, we might be back up there next season.”