Rob Gillman, the former Dover captain, is on trial with Whitstable

by Andrew Gidley

Whitstable will include experienced defender Rob Gillman in their squad for the opening pre-season friendly against Ashford United at Belmont on Saturday.

The former Dover centre-half played for Bromley last season following an on-off move to Conference South rivals Tonbridge last September.

Former Ramsgate defender Ashley Burton will also feature.

Boss Justin Luchford said: "Rob has been training at Welling and has also had a couple of other offers which I don’t think we can match, but obviously we are in with a shout because he is coming down to play for us.

"Ashley was at Ramsgate but he lives in London these days and it’s really about what he can and wants to do."

Luchford looks set to parade most of his summer captures against Kent Invicta League Ashford, and again in the annual Bruce Smith Shield challenge match against new Ryman League, Division 1 South local rivals Herne Bay on Tuesday.

The Belmont boss added: "I had a wish-list of players I wanted to sign. All have come off, giving me everything I wanted. One or two are away on holiday at the moment, but we will have a squad of 18-20 players involved with everyone getting 45 minutes in both games."

Former Gillingham first-team coach Nicky Southall is set to feature, as will Luchford’s brother, Dane, but Laurence Harvey and Dan Wisker are away and Stuart Vahid will sit out the game resting a slight niggle.

Meanwhile, longest-serving player Gary Sayer, a reported target for Bay, has committed himself to the club. The defender has clocked up 261 games since his Town debut in January 2004.

Luchford could face his old club Horsham in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup if Town get past the preliminary round stage against either Dorking or VCD on August 25.

Town have a bye into the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy and will be at home to Harrow Borough on September 29.