Steve King has explained how the lowest point of a “fantastic” 2023 is helping to push Deal to even greater heights.

The Hoops appear in pole position in the Southern Counties East Premier Division title race after they won 4-2 at leaders Faversham last weekend while they remain in the FA Vase and the Challenge Cup.

But Deal’s long wait for silverware goes on after they were stunned 6-0 by Punjab United in the Kent Senior Trophy Final in April. That aside, the 2022/23 campaign proved a good one for the Hoops.

“It’s been an amazing year - an absolutely fantastic year,” said manager King, whose high-fliers missed the chance to go top on Tuesday with their scheduled match at Lordswood postponed.

“Obviously, the cup final sticks out. But that drives us every single game.

“We don’t get ahead of ourselves, we never get carried away because we know football can always bite us on the backside - like it did that day.

“That might end up being one of the best things to ever happen to us.

“But, overall, it’s been a great year. I’m very proud of my coaching team, very proud of all my players and very proud of the club.

Report: Faversham 2-4 Deal

“It was a proper game”

“We have got a lot to look forward to in the new year.

“But Holmesdale away this Saturday is a tough game.”

A late brace by frontman Aaron Millbank alongside goals from forward Rory Smith and midfielder Billy Munday saw Deal to a 10th straight victory at Salters Lane - a result which left Deal two points off the summit and with four league matches in hand on the Lilywhites.

King is remaining level-headed, though.

He said: “I want to win every game of football. I think, as soon as you start worrying too much about the future, you forget about tomorrow.

“I’d love to get promoted, I’d love to win the FA Vase and I’d love to win the Challenge Cup. Right now, I want to win all three - but I’m a realistic man.

“You might get some sort of commitment out of me in April. But, until then, you’re not pinning me down on anything.”

While the Hoops boss thinks they are capable of competing in the Isthmian League should they get promotion, there is no big budget to work with.

“We’re an organic club,” King noted. “No one puts any money in, we’re all volunteers and I don’t get paid a penny - although some of the boys do! But we’re an organic club.

“We (the management) are volunteers, the board are volunteers and there’s no egos or anyone calling the shots.

“We just try to work very hard and we’ll see where it takes us.

“I think we could get promoted and compete in the division above quite comfortably with our crowds and stuff.

“But for now, I’ll just worry about the next game.”

Another double at Faversham took Millbank to 16 goals this season. With skipper Kane Smith coming off at half-time, he was given the armband - and delivered the goods.

King said: “Ironically, at half-time, even though Macca Murray is our vice-skipper, I took Kane off and said to Aaron ‘Are you going to score? If you’re going to score, you can have the armband’.

“He said ‘I’ll score, gaffer’ so we put the armband on him and he’s gone and got a couple.

“Rory Smith, Aaron Millbank and Tom Chapman, they’re good players - but they have great attitudes.

“They work their absolute socks off for the cause and I’m delighted for Aaron to get two more goals.

“People tell me he doesn’t get enough goals.

“Well, he’s got 16 before the new year which isn’t bad for someone who doesn’t get enough goals.”

Deal visit Holmesdale on Saturday and host Staplehurst in the Challenge Cup on Tuesday.