Ryan Day says he has absolutely no regrets about his time at Margate and wishes the club nothing but the best for the future.

Speaking for the first time since resigning as chief executive last Thursday, Day said he considered it an honour to have served the club, and bears no grudge against anyone at Hartsdown Park.

Day, who at 25 was the youngest football CEO in the country, explained: "Let me make it very clear I walked away. No one pushed me out, no one told me to go, there was no 'you or me scenario', I walked away because in the past few weeks John (owner/chairman John Webb) and I started to have different views about the way ahead.

"In any business or organisation you collide from time to time and John just chose to go a different way (to me). I said to him 'Your vision is your vision, my vision is slightly different but you are the chairman, you're the majority shareholder so it's your prerogative'.

"When I look back it was a very enjoyable two years, it had its ups and downs but it was an experience I will never forget and it was an absolute privilege to be part of that football club. I did not expect it to end this early but I certainly don't have any regrets."

Day maintained that despite his differences with Mr Webb the pair remained very much on speaking terms.

He added that both Mr Webb and manager Nikki Bull had urged him to reconsider his decision to resign, and even the day after he quit, the chairman offered him his job back.

Day explained: "I've not got a bad word to say about anyone at the football club. Yes John and I had some differences but John is spot on when he says there is no rift between us.

"John is one of the kindest people you could come across. As a chairman and a person he's done so much in his life and I've got the utmost respect for him. I wish him all the best just as I do everyone at the club.

"He did offer me my job back but I don't believe in going back. It's my firm belief that people who go back are scared to move forward and now is the time for me to move forward."

A Gate supporter since the age of eight Day - who was already the club's media officer - succeeded Chris Pope as CEO in April, and he said he was proud of what he had achieved during his short tenure. He also tipped manager Bull to be successful at Hartsdown.

He added: "I have no doubts it is going to be a very exciting season for Margate because there are so many good people at the football club. Some people (outside the club) seem to be pushing the panic button but from the inside the club is okay.

"All the supporters have to do is keep on doing what they are doing which is support John, support Nikki and support the players because if they do that there is no limit to what they can all achieve.

"Nikki is the best manager you could hope to work with in the Non-League game and I think he will take Margate to places it's never been before.

"He's so energetic, so passionate and so caring about Margate FC and I'm proud to have been a small part of what he started."

Day says he hopes to be at Saturday's opening Vanarama National League South home game with Bath City and that he would like to return to football in some capacity in the future.

He said: "I just love Margate, I love it today, I loved it last week and I will love it tomorrow. Before I did anything at the club I was a fan and that stays with you forever."