Herne Bay have completed the signing of George Benner and he goes straight into the squad for the Ryman League Division 1 South trip to Leatherhead on Saturday.

The central defender joins from Ryman North side Erith & Belvedere, and is reunited with boss Sam Denly, after the pair played together at Whitstable.

Denly said: “I was interested in him as soon as I heard he was available, and put in a seven-day approach. I have been looking to strengthen that area of the team, and George is a good player.”

Benner moved to Deres from Corinthian, helping them win promotion last season when they completed the Kent League and Cup double.

Bay’s home form has seen them take only one point from the last nine at Winch’s Field, but they travel to Fetcham Grove looking for a third successive away win, after victories at Corinthian Casuals and Chipstead.

Denly said: “We do seem to play our better football away from home. That’s not an excuse for our home results, but our pitch doesn’t suit the way we want to play, and is why it’s being re-laid at the end of the season.

Bay had mixed news on the injury front, with defender Connor Sanders set to return at the weekend after recovering from serious whiplash, following a car crash, while striker Stuart King pulled out of training on Tuesday night with a recurrence of hamstring trouble.

Bay this week also announced plans to launch a new soccer academy, joining forces with the High School and Charlton Athletic Community Trust. Students, aged 16-18, will undertake a two-year full-time programme, beginning in September next year.