Ahead of the new season, I sat down with Whitstable Town Football Club First-Team Manager Lee Martin to discuss his footballing journey, his move into management, the summer rebuild, and what supporters can expect as the club prepares for life at Step 4.

Lee spoke openly about the experiences that have shaped him, the importance of building the right culture, and why patience, togetherness and hard work will be key as a new-look squad takes on an exciting challenge.

Lee, thank you for joining us. For supporters who are getting to know you, can you give us a sense of your journey in football so far?

Football has been my life for more than 20 years now. I spent around 15 of those years in the professional game, starting out as a young player at Manchester United, which was an incredible environment to learn in. From there, I had loan spells with clubs including Royal Antwerp, Rangers, Stoke City, Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest, before later playing for clubs such as Ipswich Town, Millwall, Gillingham, Exeter City, Ebbsfleet United and Dover Athletic.

Those experiences gave me a real grounding in the game. I have been in different dressing rooms, worked under different managers, played at different levels, and seen first-hand the standards and mentality needed if you want to be successful.

In the latter part of my playing career, I moved into non-league football and really enjoyed that side of the game. I had a successful time at Ramsgate, including being part of the squad that won the Isthmian League South East title, which is the level Whitstable Town Football Club are now stepping into.

I am now moving fully into management, and I am excited to bring all of those experiences together here at Whitstable Town Football Club. It is a club with strong foundations, a passionate supporter base and real ambition, and that was a big part of what attracted me to the role.

Last season gave you your first experience in management. What did you learn from that period, and how has it shaped the way you are approaching this season at Whitstable Town Football Club?

Last season taught me a huge amount. Going into Welling was my first management role, and it was a real eye-opener in terms of what is required when you are building something. You quickly realise that management is about far more than what happens on a matchday. Recruitment, standards, communication, staff structure, player character, budgets and the culture around the football club all matter.

It did not last as long as I would have liked at Welling, but I learned a lot from it. I then went into Ramsgate, which was a different challenge again. When we came in, the club was around 18th, and at one stage I think we touched seventh. The objectives that were set out were achieved, so from my perspective there were a lot of positives to take from that period.
We also reached the Velocity Cup Final, and although we were disappointed not to win it, there was still plenty to build on. That experience reinforced how important it is to get the right people in the building - not just good players, but good characters who understand what you are trying to create.

Coming into Whitstable Town Football Club, that has shaped my thinking. We are stepping into a new league and there has been a rebuild over the summer, so the key for me is to create a strong environment quickly. We need players who want to be here, who understand the demands of the level, and who are prepared to work for each other, the staff and the supporters.

There will need to be patience because it is a new group, but the lessons from last season have helped me come into this role clearer and more prepared. The focus now is on building a competitive squad, setting high standards, and making sure Whitstable Town Football Club are ready for the challenge ahead.

You saw Whitstable a few times last season and have now had the chance to spend more time around the club. What are your thoughts on where the club is at?

The club is in a great place. The last two seasons under Jamie Coyle were obviously fantastic, with the FA Vase success and promotion, so there are a lot of positive vibes around the place.

The facilities here are fantastic, and it is clear that a huge amount of work has gone into moving the club forward. The Board and Chairman have been very supportive since I came in, and that makes a real difference when you are trying to build something properly.

When I arrived, it was at a slightly different moment because Jamie had left and we were facing a complete team rebuild. That is never easy, and it will not be plain sailing, but we are taking it step by step. We have already brought in some really good players, including some I have worked with before, and we are pleased with the foundations we are putting in place.

The club also has a fantastic fan base. I was able to meet some of the supporters at the Meet the Manager evening, and I am looking forward to meeting more of them as pre-season gets going. There is a real sense of community around Whitstable Town Football Club, and I am looking forward to getting to know the wider Whitstable Town family.

We are very excited for the season ahead. We would ask supporters for patience as we continue to build the squad and develop the group, but so far we have assembled what we feel is a strong squad, and we are really looking forward to pre-season.

A lot of last season’s squad moved on, but how important was it to keep some key players at the club?

We reached out to a number of the squad from last season, although some chose to move down the coast to Margate. It was important for us to retain the players who wanted to be here and be part of what we are building.

Keeping our contracted players, Dan Colmer and Jack Nelson, was a big positive. Dan fits the profile we look for, while Jack is someone I’ve said excites me as a player and has a lot to offer the group.

Robbie Rees was another player we were keen to keep. He wanted to stay at the club, which made those conversations straightforward. Supporters know what he can bring, and despite spending a year out through injury, he showed in the FA Vase final that he can be a real game-changer. Having players like Robbie gives us continuity and a strong foundation as we continue to build the squad.

You have strengthened defensively bringing in players including Ian Gayle, Tom Hanfrey, Holness and Boxall. What are you looking for from your back line?

We have had success before with a back three, but it is about getting the squad together and profiling the players properly. We need to be adaptable and flexible within a system.

The players we have signed give us options. Players like Tom Hanfrey and Boxall can play in a three or a four, which gives us flexibility and allows us to adapt when needed.

Ian Gayle was a big one for us and a real coup for the club. Whitstable supporters may not know a huge amount about him yet, but as a leader he was fantastic for us at Ramsgate. He led in the changing room and was one of our most complete performers. He hardly put a foot wrong.

There is a young group coming into midfield, alongside some more experienced players. How do you see that balance working?

When we looked at the squad, the first thing was getting the spine right. We wanted a mixture of experience and youth.

There are some good young players coming in. I worked with a few of them as a player at Dover, so I had that connection, and I also spoke to Mike Sandmann at Dover about them. He was very positive and felt the boys would be interested.

They are young players who want to come into a new project. They are excited by it, and I am excited by them. When you combine that with good experienced semi-professionals, you start to build a squad that looks competitive.

The other thing we have focused on is character. A lot of the players already have connections and have played with each other, which helps. When I think back to the Ramsgate team that won promotion, there were five or six senior players, myself included, who helped run the changing room. That is important.

You have spoken a lot about character. How important is that when you are building a squad?

It is massive. You want a band of brothers. You want a culture and an environment that players want to come into.

The boys want to enjoy it. They want to be coached properly, given the tools and a clear game plan, and then go out and execute it. But they also want to enjoy their football.

We have to remember this is a secondary income for them. Their main income is their work, so we have a responsibility to make the environment enjoyable while still delivering the detail and standards we expect.

We also have a duty of care. Our role is to bring good characters into the football club and build a bond between the players, the staff and the supporters.

The bond between players and supporters has become a big part of matchdays at Whitstable. Is that something you want to continue?

Absolutely. That is non-league football summed up. Supporters can have a chat, get to know the players and build those relationships.

That will be fundamental for us. We want to bring everyone together as one club.
When we look at players, we are not just checking their ability. We are also looking at references and making sure we are bringing in good people as well as good footballers.

Looking at the attacking side of the squad, you have added players including Dez and Luka. What do they bring?

Dez has always been a real problem whenever we have played against one of his sides. I have admired him from afar. He is strong, competitive, clever in his overall game, and he understands football well. He has also played at a very good level.

At times last season, we lacked that platform to play through, and he gives us that option.
The other thing we felt we needed was pace, power and unpredictability. That leads into Luka, who was with us at Ramsgate. He has blistering pace and is always a threat in behind.

He scored three early goals for us before picking up a hamstring injury, which set him back slightly, but there is a player there. He just needs a home, and we are grateful that players like him have chosen to take this opportunity with us, because they would have had interest from clubs higher up the pyramid.

Are there still areas of the squad you would like to strengthen?

Yes, we are still looking to strengthen in certain areas, and we are currently speaking to a few players who we feel would add another dimension to the group.

We have been clear about the profile we want. We want players with pace, power and unpredictability, players who can change the rhythm of a game, create something from nothing and give supporters those moments of excitement.

The priority early on was to get the structure of the squad right: the spine, the experience, the right characters and the players who understand what we are trying to build. We feel we have made good progress with that.

Now it is about adding those extra pieces of quality in the final third and in key areas of the pitch. You need players who can win games, produce big moments and get supporters off their seats. That is what we are working on, and hopefully we can get a few more things concluded soon.

You have also been building your staff team. Who will be working alongside you?

We have been fortunate. Over the last 10 months or so, we have been speaking to people, and that has progressed well.

Brian Statham comes in as assistant manager. For those who do not know Brian, he is an ex-professional who played at Tottenham. He has a very good football brain, articulates the game well, and is very calm, which might be something I need at times.

Sean Hill comes over from Ramsgate. First and foremost, he is a fantastic person. He works incredibly hard, wants to do things properly, and has a good heart. He is also very strong analytically, which is important for what I want to bring in.

Rob Best comes in from a scouting perspective, and Henry Newcombe will come in as goalkeeper coach and help where needed.

For me, it has not just been about assembling the playing squad. It has also been about putting the right infrastructure around it.

Pre-season opens with a strong test against Maidstone United at home. What will you be looking for from those early games?

We are not going to have a huge number of training days, so a lot of the delivery will have to come through the games. With senior players, that can work well because they can process and apply information quickly.

There will be video work and feedback, and we do have some training days that will lead into the games, but we have to be careful not to overload the players with too much information.
They need to know what we require as a coaching and management group, but we also need to remember this is not their full-time work.

The important thing is that the players come in ready to learn. One thing we can promise is that we will always try to improve them.

You have put together a varied pre-season schedule, with opponents from different levels. How useful is that for a new group?

Pre-season is always a bit of an enigma. You never quite know what you are going to get.
From a player's point of view, they often cannot wait for it to be over, but it is necessary. You need to get fit, understand the tactical side, build relationships, and create that bond within the group.

Because a lot of the players have played together before, that should help, but the key thing is that they work hard together. That is what really brings a group together.

I am not too worried about the opposition or the scores. Performances will be the main thing for me, and pre-season gives players the chance to earn the right.

How important will the supporters be in helping the new squad settle during pre-season?

Very important. It is the first impression. It is the first time supporters will see us as a team.
It will not be perfect. We have said from the beginning that this is a total rebuild. We are starting from scratch, and while the players are adaptable to the level, it will take time.

There will be ups and downs, but it is an exciting time. I think anyone looking from the outside will see the infrastructure and the spine of the squad and feel there is something to be excited about.

The league looks very competitive, with plenty of local derbies. How are you viewing the challenge ahead?

We do not fully know where everyone stands yet because not all squads have been announced.

There has been some good recruitment across the league, and there have been interesting conversations around the finances of some clubs. Some clubs are operating at a level we simply cannot compete with financially, but that is the nature of football.

What is exciting is the number of derby games and local fixtures. Hopefully, attendances will be strong and there will be a real buzz around those matches.

There are also cup competitions, including the Velocity Trophy, FA Trophy and FA Cup. How seriously will you approach those?

We will always look to put out a strong side and be competitive.

There may be opportunities in some cup competitions to give minutes to players on the fringes, but generally we will go strong.

We are also good at giving young players opportunities. That is something we pride ourselves on. Last season, I think we gave eight young boys their debuts, so hopefully we can continue to introduce young players when the time is right.

The club has a clear pathway through the academy and U23s. Is that something you are keen to support?

Yes, definitely. I am planning to go and watch the U23s and cast my eye over them.
It is important that there is a pathway and that young players can see opportunities if they are performing and developing.

Are you hoping to add more players before pre-season begins?

I am impatient, so ideally, I like to get things done and have a settled squad.

I know it does not always work like that, and I am not deluded about it. These things take time. But we are very proactive behind the scenes, both as a management group and through the scouting network.

We are in conversations, and hopefully the four players we have spoken about can be concluded soon. We are back in on the 25th, so it would be good to have things settled as much as possible by then.

Finally, what message would you like to leave with the supporters?

I think it is going to be an exciting season.

You have already seen the hard work that has gone in, but it will require patience. There is no getting away from that. It is not going to be straightforward, but we know what we are doing.

Stick with us, trust the process, and I am sure we will provide some really good moments along the way.

Up The Oysters
Lee Martin (First Team Manager)