There’s no rush for a captain to be named to lead Herne Bay’s new-look squad.

Bay returned for pre-season training this week, with their friendly schedule beginning at home to Lordswood on Tuesday.

Bay boss Steve Lovell has identified those who he thinks could wear the armband but is in no hurry to make a final decision.

“I will figure it out over pre-season,” he said. “You can name a captain in pre-season - and then he might not come through it, they might get injured.

“It’s a new group of players, so it will be interesting to see who warrants being captain.

“A few players fit into that category but the main thing is getting these players to understand their role in the team.

“We will see as the games unfold what comes of it.

“There’s no one there from last year, it’s a new squad that we have put together. Everybody will be starting off on the same foot.

“Everybody will be given a chance to prove they can get in the team. There will be a few trialists there, as well.

“We have got three training sessions before our first friendly, so it’s important we get a bit done before then.”

Former Maidstone and Margate frontman Jack Richards is one of Herne Bay’s latest summer arrivals after the 24-year-old began pre-season with Lovell, alongside son and assistant Mark Lovell, at Ramsgate last season.

Lovell said: “He’s had a few injuries, but he has done well enough to warrant being given a chance.

“Hopefully, he will prove his fitness and will be a good signing.

“I think Jack Richards is a good player - that’s why we brought him to Ramsgate last year but he got a bad injury on his ankle, which put him out for the season.

“He’s looking forward to finding fitness and, hopefully, starting the season well.”

Another addition at Winch’s Field who Lovell worked with at Ramsgate is utility man Theo Osinfolarin. He recovered from an early-season injury and scored for Rams in their play-off Semi-Final shoot-out loss to Hythe.

“We’re hoping he’ll start off like he finished last season,” said Lovell.

“He will bring a bit of pace on the right-hand side and can play in a number of positions. That helps as well.”

While it’s been an unusual summer behind-the-scenes at Herne Bay, with Sam Callander appointed chairman - only to then step down soon after - Lovell has managed to put a squad together.

He said: “That’s one of the reasons me and Mark decided to go down there. We can see how much work people are doing at the football club.

“They have turned things around well from last year.

“It’s understandable when you start reading things about it. But me and Mark have been really impressed with how people have got it back on track.

“They gave me the opportunity to get in the players we have got in and, hopefully, we have got a successful season in front of us.

“There’s no need to change anything at the moment. It’s been running well.

“On the field, we will start getting things into place. I’m very positive with the way things have gone since I have been at the club.

“There’s no reason to be negative about anything.”

Lovell believes pre-season gives not only himself and his coaching staff, but also his players a chance to show fans a flavour of how they want to play when the competitive action comes around.

“It will be nice for the supporters,” he noted.

“We want to have a rapport with the fans.

“The best way to do that is to go out and perform. The players themselves are given a chance to show fans what they can do and how they will approach the season.

“Last year was not a very good year with regards to where they came in the league, but we have moved on now.

“We feel we can challenge for the top places and challenge to get out of this league.

“We will certainly be a fit side and a well-organised side. If you have those two ingredients, you will have half a chance.

“A big thing is the attitude of the players as well. We signed players for football reasons - not any other reason. They want to improve individually and collectively.

“I will definitely try to make them better players.

“If we can do that, we will be better and in a better position as a team. I’m very happy with the squad I’ve got at the moment.

“It will be great when the pre-season games start.”

Early-bird season tickets are on sale from £120 for adults.

Email tickets@hernebayfootballclub.co.uk or call 07738 933 683 for questions regarding season tickets.