Joint-head coach Roland Edge is delighted to have landed Folkestone’s first summer recruit - a player who’s made an impression when he’s previously faced his new club.

Former Margate right-back Crossley Lema has agreed to join the Cheriton Road outfit after being voted fans’ player-of-the-year for the 2022/23 season at Carshalton.

He will help fill the void left by long-serving defender Josh Vincent, who has joined ambitious Southern Counties East Premier Division Faversham.

Edge revealed: “Full-backs can, sometimes, go under the radar.

“But every time we have played against Crossley Lema in the last few years, he has made a really good impression against good players at the level - the likes of Ira Jackson and Ade Yusuff.

“As soon as we knew he was available, we acted.”

While Lema’s preferred position seems relatively obvious, he’s also made it clear when meeting Edge and joint-boss Micheal Everitt he’ll have no qualms about doing what he needs to for the side.

Edge said: “I like it when you meet someone and say ‘Where do you play’ - and they say ‘Oh, anywhere across the back’.

“It means, when you do need them to play left-back for example in the season, you kind of already know they’re going to do it.

“He’s good at dealing with one-versus-one situations.

“With the way we play - quite an entertaining style - we need to have that sort of quality in our full-backs.”

Versatile midfielder Kane Penn has become the club’s second addition this week, signing from Hastings.

Striker Ibrahim Olutade and midfielder Scott Heard have also agreed to remain at Invicta but all-time leading scorer Ian Draycott will depart.

His 150th club goal, a winner at home to Haringey in January, proved his last competitive one.

Edge said: “In every way, he has made a massive contribution to the club.

“If you ever spoke to Draycs, you’d know he is a really nice person. But he’s got pride.

“We said ‘You might be a bit of a bitpart this year’ and I don’t think he wanted that.

“He wants to score as many goals as he can before he hangs up his boots.

“I hope it goes very well for him because he’s a very good player.”

But Folkestone’s summer rebuild isn’t over just yet.

Edge, speaking prior to the departure of Jim Pellatt as chairman being announced, said: “We know who we would like to improve us.

“The summer is not over in terms of recruitment. It’s nice to know who we would like and start talking to them.

“That’s where we’re at, at the minute.”

Meanwhile the club are looking to recruit a football performance analyst to work eight to 12 hours per week.

To apply, or to find out more about the role, email micheal.everitt.fifc@gmail.com with a cover letter and CV.

Left-back Nathan Green made the 2022/23 Isthmian Premier Team of the Season.