Manager Tommy Warrilow has explained the decision to name defender Callum Davies as Faversham’s new skipper - and Billy Bennett as his vice-captain.

Davies took the armband for the Lilywhites’ opening-day Southern Counties East Premier Division 4-0 home victory over Glebe last weekend after the departure of fellow centre-half Connor Essam.

He will be supported by midfielder Bennett - the ex-Sheppey skipper.

“Callum was skipper at Folkestone,” said Warrilow. “I’ve got a few players that have been skippers - but Callum for Connor was a shoo-in, so we gave him the armband.

“We have made Billy Bennett vice-captain. I’ve tried to sign Bill a couple of times before.

“Talking to him about his game, we felt, when we first came in, he was playing a bit too deep for our liking.

“He was carrying a bit of a thigh strain on Saturday.

“We knew he didn’t want to come off but - deep down - I think he knows it was the right decision.

"Tash (Tashi-Jay Kwayie) came off with some cramp.

“It just shows they really gave their all.”

Facing last term’s other play-off semi-finalists Glebe, winger Kieron Campbell gave Town the ideal start in the second minute in front of a crowd of 331 at Salters Lane before forward Kwayie doubled their tally.

It looked like that was the way it was going to stay until Glebe defender James Fitchett put through his own net late on and substitute Stefan Payne rounded things off in stoppage time.

Warrilow reflected: “I think all clubs just wanted pre-season to finish, the anticipation of how you’re going to start is on everyone’s mind.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect from Glebe, looking at their results from pre-season. But you can have the best pre-season in the world - and then not start how you would have thought.

“It was just the perfect day. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and we had a good crowd.

“With the performance on Saturday, we couldn’t have asked for a better start.

“Their goalie made some amazing saves. He kept the game alive a little bit.

“Coming out for the second half, it was a little bit of a sluggish start.

“I think the players that came off the bench were really good. From our point of view, that will be massively important.

"It’s important that we stick together as a squad because it’s going to be a long old season.

“Other teams will look at line-ups and think ‘Oh, he’s not playing’ - and I’m no different. I will do the same. You make a little note of it.

“But I have got to make those decisions on a matchday and, as much as they don’t want to be there, we know they can make a difference when they come on.

“We have just got to try and stick to those levels.”

Next up for Faversham is a trip to face Southern Combination Premier Division Bexhill United in the FA Cup extra preliminary round on Saturday, the tie being played at Hailsham Town.

“I know a few people in Sussex from my playing days,” said Warrilow, who is set to welcome back midfielder Sam Hasler from a lengthy ban.

“We know bits and bobs and I’m still getting more information as we speak. We will probably go through all of that on Thursday.

“We will never be that arrogant and disrespectful to turn up, not knowing anything about the opposition, and just expect to win.

“But we will just concentrate on how we improve on Saturday’s performance.”

The team behind Faversham's first-ever women's first-team squad have spoken of their excitement.

They will be managed by Andy Sargent.

He said: "It’s a really exciting time for women’s football and, for a club like Faversham Town, it’s really important that we can give the girls playing in our youth teams the opportunity to progress in a senior side, as well as build a competitive team for the season ahead.”

The team will be in the Southern Counties Football League Division 2 East, and will train and play all their home fixtures at the club’s main stadium on Salters Lane.

Along with Sargent, Fran Ojo has joined as Faversham director of women’s football.

She said: "Over the next few seasons, we’d really like to see the women’s section at the club grow, giving everyone the opportunity to progress along the pathway into the first team."

The club are still holding open trials for players on Tuesdays from 6:30pm to 7:45pm at Salters Lane.

Email secretary@favershamtown.co.uk if you want to be part of the club's journey.