DEAL Town chairman David Saunders was able to announce some positive news about the club’s financial position at the club’s presentation night.

At the end of his first season as chairman, Mr Saunders said: “For the first time for a few years were are now financially sound, and it looks like we are going to break even this season.”

Mr Saunders acknowledged it had been a difficult season for the club, with the first team finishing second from bottom of the Kent League.

He added: “I think our final position in the table didn’t fairly reflect our performances over the season, and I also feel there is now a good spirit at the club both on and off the field.

“I want Deal Town to be a community football club, and a club that the local community can be proud of.”

Guest of honour at the presentation evening was Dartford manager Tommy Sampson, who was in charge when Deal won the FA Vase four years ago.

He said: “I had two fantastic years at this club, made some great friends, and I still look for Deal’s results every week.

“I know that (manager) Derek Hares would love to have the financial resources that I had when I was here, but we are both in the same position now - managing clubs with a limited budget and having to find local talent.”

Looking back on a tough first season as manager, Hares said: “I made a lot of mistakes but I hope I have learnt from them.

“We did lose 16 games by the odd goal this season, and with four or five more wins we would have finished in mid-table. But myself and the players all know we have got to do better next season.”

Club vice-chairman Bob Chivington said that £6,500 had so far been raised towards the new clubhouse project, and he predicted that the figure would reach £10,000 by the end of the year.