Hythe boss Steve Watt has the experienced defender he was looking for after signing Scott Doe from Welling.

Watt moved for the ex-Dagenham and Dover centre-half, 32, following Tom Wynter’s retirement.

He played the full 90 minutes of Hythe’s 2-1 friendly defeat by Maidstone last Thursday.

“I’m delighted to get him,” said Cannons boss Watt.

“It was agreed a couple of weeks back but then he went on holiday, so there was a bit of a delay getting him in.

“He showed his quality in that first game and he got through the 90 minutes fine, even though he hadn’t done anything for a while.

“Sure, he’s still got to catch up a little bit but when you’re an experienced player coming down a couple of levels, from my experience, you find you can manage the game a little bit better.

“We’ll take it step by step but he looked very good against Maidstone.

“Whenever I build teams, I always look for an experienced spine and then add bits and pieces around it.

“After losing Tom, it’s great to get someone like Scott in. He’ll be a massive asset.”

Doe’s arrival means Hythe are finished in the transfer market, having also signed Jacob Gilbert and Jordan Sarfo.

Watt sees big potential in Gilbert while he met Sarfo by chance.

“That’s us done now unless anything amazing pops up and we feel we have to do something,” said Watt.

“I’m more than happy with the business we’ve done.

“The important thing was to keep everyone together and then add to it, which we’ve done.

“Gilbs is someone I’ve known from Maidstone from afar.

“He came in to help out for a game and stood out. He reminds me of a young Alex Brown, he plays with very high energy and is good technically.

“I need to do more work with him to add goals to his game but he’s an exciting young player with great potential.

“Jordan’s one I knew nothing about. David Smith, who plays for Folkestone, asked if his mate could train with us.

“They’d been having a kickabout on the five-a-side pitches in Gillingham where Pro Soccer are based, when I turned up for work.

“I didn’t think anything would come of it but he’s been excellent.

“He’s completely different to what we have.

“Wingers nowadays tend to come inside and link the play, which is fine, but Jordan’s an old-fashioned winger, really quick and direct.

“He does want to come inside at times but I’ve said to him, your strength is fronting people up and taking defenders on, keep doing it. He’s been a great surprise to us in pre-season.”

Hythe, who complete pre-season at Margate this Saturday, have announced a coaching role for striker Frannie Collin.

Watt said: “First and foremost, Frannie’s still a very important player for us but I felt it was the right time to give him a chance to step across.

“He strengthens the backroom team and it’s good to have a player’s perspective because it’s a completely different game when you’re out there.

“He’s someone I lean on and it’s mainly making that official.

“He’s got great knowledge of the game, and I’d trust him to give ideas or pointers anywhere on the pitch, but for young strikers to have him at their disposal, there’s no one better in non-league football to learn from.”

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