by Andrew Gidley

Simon Pettit will be Sittingbourne’s new captain next season after joining the club this week.

The 29-year-old midfielder is the Brickies’ first summer signing and follows management team Jim and Danny Ward from Ramsgate to Bourne Park.

Pettit’s (pictured) move continues his links with the brothers, stretching back to his youth team days at Southwood.

Danny Ward said: "Simon is an experienced player, who we have known for a long time.

"He could be the first of several signings and I am due to talk to a couple of others as well this week.

"We spoke to seven or eight of the present squad last week and all of them said they wanted to stay – and Jim wants to keep them.

"Joe Dowley wants to keep playing, Bradley Spice is also hoping to get himself fit and on his day, he is good as anyone in Kent."

Ward also revealed the new management are looking to forge close links with the club’s Academy and is due to meet director Darren Collins and coach Graham Webb on Wednesday to discuss the way forward.

The Bourne squad return for pre-season training on Tuesday, July 3, and will face an Academy side in their first pre-season run-out 11 days later.