A long-term plan has started reaping major rewards for Deal manager Steve King.

King joined the club as a coach, initially under Derek Hares, before he officially took control two years ago.

Without a big budget, King has, instead, focused on recruiting local players.

That has paid off this season in the Hoops’ title-winning Southern Counties East Premier Division campaign after a third-placed finish and a Kent Senior Trophy loss last term.

King, who joined in January 2015 alongside then-assistant Paul Murray, said: “We’ve been building it ever since then.

“Obviously, Del (Hares) was a big figure at the club. He was very good at letting me be very hands-on - even when he was still manager.

“I had a lot of say in terms of bringing players in and the way we played, and stuff like that.

“We have, gradually, built and built. People that are close to me know that I have always had a list of players I have always wanted to bring to this football club. People I know, who live locally, and are quality players.

“We have managed to bring them in one by one over the years. Macca Murray was the very first one, then the Tom Chapmans, Aaron Millbanks and the Rory Smiths.

“Then, eventually, someone like Ashley Miller, who I taught from the age of eight or nine.

“Getting him in around Christmas was the last piece of the jigsaw that we thought we needed to get out of this league. I feel vindicated with that plan over five, six or seven years.

“It has taken time - we cannot just throw money at it - and I think the squad have proven that they have been the best in the league.”

Just seven days before they ensured they would finish top of the pile with a 3-1 weekend win over Lydd, Deal suffered a rare defeat, 1-0 at Tunbridge Wells.

But the players’ actions after the loss proved just how tightknit the squad are.

King revealed: “There’s a pizza place in Deal that named some of their pizzas after the players as a little bit of a promotion. A few of us said we would go down. But after we lost at Tunbridge Wells, I walked in - and the whole 20-man squad were there! It says an awful lot about us.

“Obviously, we knew we had just been beaten but we just stuck together.

“We have always done that. We responded from adversity at Lincoln United (their FA Vase Quarter-Final defeat) that day. That really hurt us.

“We were the better side that day - no one can convince me otherwise - but we’re mates and we’re close, and the club means a lot to them.

“That carries you at times. It’s probably worth 10 points.

“If we end up winning it by 10 points, that will probably be the difference between what we have got and what others haven’t.”

An early goal from teenage forward Jamie Kennedy and an own goal put Deal in charge against the Lydders before two substitutes, Wes Hennessey and scorer Ife Oni, combined.

King suggested: “That’s probably been a big strength for us this season - our depth of squad.

“When you’re bringing on players that can impact games, especially when you’re dominant in the game, it makes a big difference.”

While King accepts it will be a shame for the 2000 FA Vase victors to not play in that competition next year, he’s looking forward to the next chapter.

He explained: “I have always wanted to progress this football club. I’m a local person, a loyal person, and I don’t want to go anywhere else.

“Playing Step Four football and in the FA Trophy [will be great].

“We’ll miss the Vase, of course we will, but it’s going to be a new chapter.”

The Hoops, who lost 2-1 to Punjab on Tuesday, visit Corinthian today and welcome Erith Town on Tuesday.