The arrival of Rory Smith has left Deal manager Steve King delighted with his attacking options on the eve of their new season.

Forward Smith, who turned out for the Hoops last term on dual registration from Herne Bay, has agreed to join them prior to their 2023/24 campaign Southern Counties East Premier Division opener at Fisher this weekend.

He was Deal’s first summer recruit but wasn't their last, former young Gillingham right-back Elliott Moore since having signed on dual registration from Isthmian Premier Folkestone on Tuesday.

“I’m still working on one this week,” said King, talking ahead of the arrival of 18-year-old Moore. “There may be some news on that.

“I think we’re still probably two short ideally. We have got Max Niblett, who is around for six weeks before he goes off to university, so we’ve got enough cover.

“But those at higher-division clubs may become available and we’ll approach them when the time is right.

“We’re still looking for wide players, really, defensively and in an attacking sense.”

Also a talented cricketer, Smith has previously played for Bay and Ramsgate, where he earned a trial with Aberdeen when he was a teenager.

King, whose side went down 5-3 at home to Dover in their final friendly in front of more than 1,000 fans on Tuesday, said: “It’s a huge signing for us.

“It took a while to get across the line. As you can imagine, he had a lot of offers.

"He certainly had better financial offers, but he knows what we’re all about. It’s nice to get him on board.

“It’s been going on a couple of months. With Tom Chapman, Aaron Millbank, Rory Smith and Riley Alford, we have forwards as good as anybody in the league and who I’d happily have in the league above.

“Rory’s still the only signing we have made. But I would prefer Rory Smith than five average players if that makes sense.

“So, we’re really pleased.”

Promotion-chasing Deal will begin their league campaign with a 158-mile round trip to Fisher on Saturday.

“They’re very strong at home,” King noted. “On their day, they can beat anybody.

“They lack a bit of consistency but it’s a tough first game for us. I think, last year, they had that FA Cup run and knocked Sittingbourne out, so they started last season very strongly.

“It’s on 3G and they play it well. We don’t have a great record there - even though we won 1-0 last year. I don’t think there’s an easy first game but we’re pleased to get our longest trip out of the way in August on a Saturday.

“I’m confident, if we get to our levels, we will be a match for anybody.”

Two-goal Ben Chapman and Smith netted as a huge crowd of 1,007 watched the Hoops take on National League South Whites.

Smith had also struck in last Tuesday’s 6-3 victory at Isthmian South East Herne Bay. Two-goal Aaron Millbank, Josh Byford, Chapman and Alex Smith were the others on the scoresheet.

“We were pleased with that,” King reflected. “That was a really nice measure of where we’re at.

“It was, obviously, good to get Rory in and for him to get his goal. To score six goals, without playing our best, that was a good sign.”

A much-changed Hoops’ team went down 2-1 at home to last term’s Division 1 Play-off Semi-Finalists Faversham Strike Force on Saturday.

But King explained on Monday: “Having had Herne Bay and with Dover coming up, we used it to try a few bits out.

“We didn’t want to lose the game. We were 1-0 up at half-time but it was a useful work-out.

“We got what we wanted - and Faversham Strike Force are a good side - so no massive issues there.”

Midfielder Tom Chapman injured his finger earlier this summer while playing cricket for Sandwich Town and there are some fitness doubts for their trip to Fisher.

“To be honest, we have got a few we’re a little bit worried about,” King revealed.

“They will not be playing on Tuesday and we will assess them on Thursday.”