Faversham manager Ray Turner hopes he has kept his squad together for another push at Ryman League, Division 1 South promotion next season.

Town suffered penalty heartbreak against Merstham in the promotion play-off semi-final last month but despite interest in several of his players, including striker Stuart King who missed the crucial penalty in the shootout, he hopes they will all return for pre-season.

Turner said: “I have spoken to them all and the players have verbally committed to the club. I find it strange that so many teams seem to be signing players before there are any official forms out.

“Either way, I am not going to be waving pens in people’s faces, I want players that want to be here.

“I think everybody does. We’ve been sensible with our expenses in recent years and I’d like to think I’ve created a decent environment here that people want to be a part of.”

He added: “Stuart King has turned down big money from another club and wants to stay, Renford Tenyue wants to stay even though another club came in for him and Wayne Wilson
has turned down a couple of offers. I also think there is a sense of unfinished business on our part.”

Gillingham will send a strong squad, likely to include first-teamers, to Salters Lane for a friendly match on Tuesday, August 4 (kick-off 7.45pm).

Turner is also hoping to confirm a date for Maidstone United to visit the Shepherd Neame Stadium while Town have also arranged trips to Lydd on July 18 and a four-team tournament against Essex sides at Aveley on July 25 and 26, as well as a game against Hollands & Blair.