Captain Jack Evans says Chatham wouldn’t be where they are today without former boss Scott Lindsey.

Chats have made an encouraging start to the season, winning three of their four league games since promotion to Isthmian South East under chairman/manager Kevin Hake.

They’re also through to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after a 6-0 win at Midhurst & Easebourne last weekend.

While Hake deserves plenty of credit for Chats’ success, Lindsey laid the foundations before leaving for the assistant manager’s job at League 2 Swindon last summer.

He’s since taken over as Robins boss and was back in Medway last weekend as his side drew 0-0 at Gillingham.

“Scott was brilliant, there’s no taking away how good he was,” said skipper Evans.

“We were lucky to have him, even for a short time. If we didn’t have Scott, I don’t think the club would be in the position it is now. I feel he took it to another level.

“It’s no surprise to anyone who worked with him here to see where he is now, managing in the Football League. If anyone deserves it, it’s him.

“You’ve got to give Kev a lot of credit as well because he stepped in when Scott left a week or two before last season started.

“Where Scott was so influential I didn’t know what to expect but Kev stepped in and steadied the ship and it’s good to have the owner there, close to what’s going on.

“He was good, he told everyone what he wanted to do, he kept everyone in the loop, everyone felt comfortable.

“We got the promotion and Kev stayed on as manager and I think it’s one of those where if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.

“Everyone’s very happy with Kev, he’s got good staff members with him in Danny Kedwell and Tim Moffatt, who do a lot of the coaching. It’s a good environment.”

There were doubles for Evans and Emmanuel Oloyede, with Dan Bradshaw and Fabio Saraiva also on target at the weekend.

Chats have been drawn away to Walton & Hersham in the Second Qualifying Round on September 17.

Cup progress and fourth place in the league mean it’s been a good start for Chats, who visit Barton Rovers in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round this Saturday.

“It was nice to get another win in the cup and, personally, it’s good to be scoring,” said Evans.

“I’ve got five in four now and five assists, so I’m pleased with that. I didn’t really know what to expect coming up. I knew we were strong in the league below.

“No disrespect to the other teams in the SCEFL, but it felt like us and Sheppey were too good for the level.

“We knew if we got our game right, nine times out of 10 we were going to win.

“I’ve played higher but I’ve only played in this league a couple of times and I didn’t know if it was a glorified SCEFL or what, but it’s been good.

“People are a little bit quicker, a little bit sharper and the game management comes into it more.

“Fitness is another thing. There’s definitely a big improvement at this level and there’s also the analysis.”