Deal boss Steve King expects the Southern Counties East Premier Division to be as competitive as ever this season.

Their pre-season campaign is set to get under way ahead of their 2023/24 season.

Plenty of cash has been thrown about by the Hoops’ division rivals this summer but King’s troops are still hopeful of improving on last term’s display which saw them finish third and reach the Kent Senior Trophy Final.

“Let’s be really clear, SCEFL is going to be as strong as it’s ever been,” said King. “There’s some ridiculous budgets and sides spending a lot of money. Fair play to them.

“If you look at Snodland, they have an incredibly strong side. We all know about Faversham, Whitstable have invested again and Lydd have come up.

“We’ve got the resources we have got. But our ‘USP’ is that organisation and desire to do well for the club. We hope it stands us in good stead.

“We have come fourth and then third. We had Sheppey and Chatham, who invested heavily, ahead of us two years ago. But we will just go about our business.

“A lot of these clubs have incredibly good players. I’m sure they will be expecting to finish above us.

“But most clubs will know they will not get an easy game against us.

“We will be looking to improve on where we have been.”

Deal have added to their list of warm-up fixtures with a game against neighbours Dover, managed by Mitch Brundle and who play in National League South, on Tuesday, July 25 (7.30pm kick-off).

King said: “It’s a big game for us.

“Mitch has been good in getting that organised. People think there was a bit of needle last year - there was a bad tackle and a bit of a reaction. That was it!

“It’s the first Tuesday of the school holidays so we’re really looking forward to it and hope we get a good crowd.

“Ultimately, I think the area would like to see both clubs do well.”

The Hoops are due to visit Isthmian Premier Margate this Saturday and host a Gillingham XI on Tuesday night after facing Minster tonight.

“Every game has been thought about in terms of what we have got to take out of it,” said King. “Minster had a brilliant season last season.

“I know their manager very well, there’s some really good players and some are capable of playing higher. We will have some trialists.

“Then obviously, we’ll go to Margate. We wanted our away games - where possible - on 3Gs.

“They’re an Isthmian Premier side, so that’s one where we might have a bit less of the ball.”

Tom and Ben Chapman remain with Deal but the multi-talented brothers will only be available for friendlies in midweek again for the time being - due to their cricketing commitments with Sandwich Town.

“Same as always really,” explained King. “They will be playing all the midweek friendlies.

“Then, Saturday friendlies, they will be off, playing cricket. We have done that for four or five seasons.

“It gives us a chance to experiment and makes sure they’re ready to start when the competitive action starts.”