Derek Hares has admitted he understands calls for him to stand down as he begins his 10th season in charge of Deal on Saturday.

Deal have not won any silverware under Hares and last season they finished second from bottom of the Kent Hurlimann League.

Hares (pictured), who succeeded Simon Bryant in May 2003, said: "I understand why some people say I should have stepped down by now and it’s not because I am being stubborn or because I’ve got my head in the clouds.

"To be honest, if it wasn’t for (club chairman) Dayle Melody I would probably have quit at the end of last season.

"I don’t feel under any pressure at the moment but if we lose our first half dozen games of the season then I will have to have a rethink."

Deal’s first league game on Saturday is at home to Holmesdale and then on Tuesday, Hares’s side are at Lordswood.

Deal beat Lydd Town 5-1 on Tuesday in their final pre-season game.