Ray Turner is relishing Faversham’s tough start to the Ryman League, Division 1 South campaign after Town completed a ‘perfect’ pre-season with victory against Gillingham.

The Lilywhites’ seven-game build-up to the season included silverware at Aveley, a draw against Vanarama National South side Maidstone and Tuesday’s 1-0 success against a Gills development side.

The visitors brought a youthful squad with half-an-eye on Saturday’s League 1 opener against Sheffield United, although first-team defender Callum Davies did start.

A delighted Turner said: “To put it into perspective, they were relatively young but still professionals. It was a good work-out for us and the fitness and intensity was just what we needed. It was the perfect way to round off the pre-season.

“The hunger and desire are there and it’s pleasing to see. The departure of a couple of players in the summer has galvanised the existing players and they have worked hard and want to put right what happened last year.

“We are not a team of individuals, we are a collective and that is what will determine our success this season.

“We have built a club over the years, not just a team and now we have young men, rather than boys, ready to come in and fill places seamlessly.”

Turner’s side host last season’s fellow beaten play-off semi-finalists Whyteleafe on Saturday (3pm) before Tuesday’s trip to new-look Ramsgate.

With a trip to Worthing to follow after that, Turner admitted: “It’s a tough start, we have three sides all aiming for the top-six. I’d rather have a tough test though than risk coming into the season with any complacency.”

Jamie Maxted (groin) will be assessed after limping off on Tuesday and Charley Robertson (virus) will be monitored while there will be no debut for footballer/actor Taser Hassan as he is away filming on location.