Michael Salako has described Herne Bay as a sleeping giant of a club - as the 27-goal striker aims to do even better than he did in the 2023/24 season.

In-demand Salako has decided to stay with Steve Lovell’s side for the new Isthmian South East campaign.

“I sort of assessed every single offer that I got,” explained Salako. “I started to weigh up everything - formation, location and finances - and then I got a call from Herne Bay, just asking me what I was going to do.

“If I was going to leave, they needed to replace me. I probably took another week to decide after I got the call from Herne Bay.

“It wouldn’t have been on bad terms if I was to leave.

“But I got supporters’ player-of-the-year last year and, staying on, would be an opportunity to maintain that relationship with the fans.

“My main goal is to try and take the club where it needs to be because I do think it’s a sleeping giant and deserves to be in a higher league.”

Unsurprisingly, Salako attracted plenty of interest after he found form under Bay boss Lovell and turned down plenty of higher-division clubs to stay at Winch’s Field after a remarkable maiden season.

Essex-based Salako revealed: “The highest offer was from a National League South club.

“It sort of went National South, Isthmian Premier, and then the majority were the same level - but some indifferent leagues.”

Many would be happy to get 27 goals in a season but, with Salako only having arrived at Herne Bay last October, he sees a window to reach even greater heights.

“I want to go above and beyond what I did last season,” he said.

“Where I’ve signed to stay with the club before pre-season and will be starting my season in August, that gives me more leverage to push even further than I did last season.

"I know I can definitely do that.”

Bay have appointed a new-look board in the close season and Salako said: “The club is going through a massive transitional period. It’s restructuring from the top.

“But there’s the stability of Mark and Steve (Lovell, his son-assistant) staying on to push the club in the right direction. They want to take the club into a higher league.

“To do that, everyone needs to be singing from the same hymn sheet.

"I think everyone is doing that.”

Salako is yet to meet the board members who are new to the club, although he did receive a message from director of football Dan Tanner, after it was confirmed he would remain.

He added: “I did get a message from Dan, just after I signed. He was happy I made the decision to stay on.

“I’m sure I will get the chance to meet the new people at the club in pre-season, which will be good.”

Herne Bay are on the look-out for a chef for their soon-to-be-introduced cafe.

Email hernebayfc@gmail.com for more information.