Deal manager Derek Hares faces a wait before he can start shaping his squad for next season.

Hares (pictured right) is waiting on news of the club’s player budget which will be decided imminently by the board of directors.

He is keen to keep his squad together and bring in fresh talent to improve on this year’s 12th place Bulmers Cider Kent League, Premier Division finish but knows it could be dependent on finances.

Hares said: "The first job I have is to find out my budget and then to talk to the players. Once I’ve found out who is going and who is staying, I can decide who I need to bring in.

"I’ve spoken to a lot of players and they’ve said they want to stay but nothing is concrete. I’m hoping that we can keep a similar budget to last season, or more if that’s possible but I understand that the club has to look after itself and keep afloat.

"Hopefully once the new clubhouse is up and running, that will bring in some revenue.

"I know the club worked hard to give me the budget they did last season and I appreciated what I had but at the moment I can’t go signing players or talking to them until that’s confirmed."

Hares knows how cut-throat the pre-season can be with players looking for the best deal they can get but he also believes that loyalty can go a long way.

He added: "Out of the ones I’ve spoken to at the end of the season nobody has said they are going but, of course, other clubs could come in and that’s bound to happen.

"The players here over the last couple of years have been pretty loyal though and I hope they stay."