Faversham boss Ray Turner is facing up to the biggest challenge of his management career.

Two play-off campaigns and three top-half finishes since Turner succeeded Justin Luchford as manager in 2011 have put Faversham firmly on the Kent football map.

But those successes have also made the Lilywhites a target for their local rivals and Turner knows this season will be his hardest yet.

He said: “It would be my biggest achievement if we could sustain our levels this season. We’re being attacked from all sides at the moment.

“This season represents my biggest challenge. People are recognising what we’re doing and this year, more than ever, our card is marked as a club.

“You’ve got to take it as a compliment. Our under-21 players have all been sought after because of the success they’ve had. Myself and Clive Walker have worked hard to develop players and it’s been noticed.

“We are a regular challenger, but it becomes harder every year. We can’t afford to stand still when everyone is trying to catch us. We’ve got to stay ahead of the game.

“On the financial side, we’re being squeezed from underneath by the Southern Counties East clubs trying to get into the Ryman League, teams like Ashford and Greenwich.

“It’s becoming difficult because players that are coming out of National South clubs are unlikely to drop down to Ryman South.”

Those clubs include Dover, Dartford, Ebbsfleet, Maidstone and Margate, who are all plying their trade in the top two tiers of non-league football this season.

“There are probably half-a-dozen clubs trying to get into the Football League and there’s a big gap appearing between the haves and the have-nots,” said Turner.

“The positives are that we can pick up some younger players from those clubs who need to get experience.

“Although it doesn’t look like we’re bringing that many players in, the spine of the team is there. We do need to add one or two if we’re going to compete, though.”