CANTERBURY CITY have made their first summer signing with the arrival of central midfielder Ben Smith from Herne Bay.

Smith, a 21-year-old trainee teacher, said: "I have been impressed by the club’s plans for the future. The chance to be a part of what’s happening at Canterbury was too good to miss."

City manager Dave Fairclough added: "While we must move on from our successes of last season, it’s imperative that we build on that momentum."

Meanwhile, chairman Phil Knight has confirmed City’s plans to field a women’s reserve team this season.

The new side, to be managed by Laura Thomas, has been accepted into the Kent division of the South East Counties Women’s Football League, which City’s first team won so convincingly last season.

Thomas, who played for the first team last season, said: "We all felt it was important to put a reserve side together as a development path for our crop of younger players."

First team manager Lorna Shilling added: "No team can hope to progress into the national system without a long-term development plan and this appointment confirms our determination to build a strong foundation on which we can build."

City’s Ladies will discover within the next two weeks which division they will be playing in the South East Counties League next season.

Having secured promotion at the first attempt, it is expected that the side will be placed in Division 1 East.

The new season kicks off on Sunday, August 31. As part of their preparation, the team

will play a number of friendlies, including one against Charlton Ladies on Tuesday,

August 12.