A vastly-experienced former Gillingham, Maidstone and Ebbsfleet midfielder has joined Faversham.

Luke Rooney agreed terms with the Southern Counties East Premier Division Lilywhites after being on trial - his arrival confirmed ahead of their pre-season-ending weekend 2-1 win against Faversham Strike Force.

On Rooney, also once of Welling and Chatham, Town manager Tommy Warrilow said: “He’s no stranger to the Kent area, being at Gillingham, before he went to Swindon.

“He has done the rounds - with Maidstone, Billericay and clubs like that.

“I’ve known Luke since he was a teenager and I’m friends with his dad. He just wants to get settled somewhere where he’s part of something.

“It’s not rocket science to know that what he needs is a few more minutes. I said to him about playing for the under-23s on Friday (against Hollands & Blair). We will just keep talking [about how to get him fully fit].

“He’s still only 33 - not old-old - and the position we have put him in, that’s where you put your experienced heads.

“We have Frannie Collin, Sam Hasler, Matt Newman and Henry Muggeridge that can play there. But they can all wear other hats, as well.

“Hopefully, we can get Luke fit because he can be a pivotal part of the team.

“He’s an agent now. That might take him away at some point - but it could help us, as well.

“He’s not coming because he’s my mate’s boy, we’re signing him because he’s a good footballer. He’s not the only one where I’m mates with their dad, either!

“Hopefully, it’s a move that suits both parties.”

Faversham finished their run of warm-up games against their ground tenants with a victory as they came from behind thanks to a goal in either half from midfielder Hasler and defender Ben Gorham at Salters Lane in front of a crowd of 352.

Warrilow reflected: “We, obviously, groundshare with them. We all wanted the bragging rights.

“After the game, no one wants to see the other side celebrating in the bar. We had a do afterwards on Saturday and that went well.

“The game was all right. It wasn’t as good as the last two performances - but, watching it back, it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

"We had a few missing, so I brought some under-23s players on. It was a nice, horrible, muggy, and sweaty day.

“We started the game really well. The goal they scored was a bit of an odd one.

“It summed it up a little bit. It went a bit flat and they then scored their goal.

“Someone tried to put it into the area and Jacob (Russell, Faversham’s goalkeeper) got his leg a bit stuck in the net. It bounces off the crossbar and their boy (Marshall Wratten) is there to finish it off.

“We now have two sessions this week before it all starts properly.

“I just wanted to make sure that we went into this Saturday with a winning mentality.”

The game also was the first-ever Faversham Challenge Cup clash in memory of Rob Beazleigh - the former Strike Force player and Town veterans manager - who died in 2022.

Warrilow said: “I met the son (Reece) on Friday night - the boy was in goal. I met the family.

“It was a nice turnout for him - and for them - on Saturday. That’s really important.

“I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to get the whole club as a club and not an ‘us and them’ sort of thing.

"The supporters are the most important part of the club.”

The Lilywhites start their league campaign at home to Glebe, last term’s other play-off semi-finalists, on Saturday.

“I really think that there will not be any easy games this season,” said Warrilow. “What some teams might lack in ability, they more than make up for with work ethic and desire.

“I just want us to keep playing at high levels. If levels drop and someone is sitting there, they will go in.

“That player will then stay in until they drop their levels. That’s the same if you’re in any job.

“There’s a nice vibe around the place and what we don’t want is for Saturday to be an anti-climax.

“If you win and go on to three points, you’re up-and-running.

"But the games will start coming thick and fast.”

Town have been drawn at home to Premier Division rivals Rusthall in the Kent Senior Trophy first round.