Chatham Town are chasing a third successive promotion and are ready for another step-up in opposition.

Under chairman-manager Kevin Hake, they’ve climbed to the highest level that the club has ever played in its 141-year history.

There’s an impressive home record to protect this season too.

They start at home this Saturday against Bognor Regis Town (3pm). They were last beaten on their own pitch in the league at the end of October 2021, losing 4-2 to Glebe.

Chatham have won promotion twice since then, winning the South East title last season to claim a place in Isthmian Premier Division.

Hake said: “Everyone at the club is incredibly excited about playing at the highest level in our history.

“We know the challenge of the Isthmian Premier will be an extremely tough one but the players new and old have worked tremendously hard pre-season and are ready.

“Competition for places is fierce as ever and players know they need to be at their best to even get into the squad.

“We know over the course of the season players will play their part and it’s important to have a squad that has quality beyond just a good starting 11.

“Time after time last season it was often the last 20 minutes that we won games as we have a culture at the club of never giving up.”

There’s been numerous changes in personnel at the club, with the likes of striker Dan Bradshaw moving on, and returning to his old club Sheppey United. He leaves with a record of 90 goals in 103 appearances.

Among those heading to Chatham, during what’s been a busy summer, is latest recruit Jamie Yila, a 21-year-old forward from Eastbourne Borough and exciting winger Nodirbek Bobomurodov.

Midfielder Dominic Green, striker Ben Allen, defenders Ezra Ikebuasi and Alex Brefo and experienced former Gillingham and Wimbledon player Rashid Yussuff have all joined, as have former Dartford pair Cameron Brodie and Kristian Campbell.

Many of last season’s squad was also retained, including influential skipper Jack Evans and assistant player-boss Danny Kedwell.

Midfielder Kian Garlinge has also been handed a first-team contract with the club after captaining the successful under-18 side.

Chatham attracted big crowds last season and Hake hopes those numbers continue to rise as the club chase their ultimate dream of Football League status. They are now three promotions away.

Hake continued: “We look forward to hosting Bognor Regis on Saturday and we hope the fans turn out in force and witness history being made.

“We know they play good football so the game promises to be an exciting one.

“We have our home record on the line as we approach nearly two years unbeaten at the Bauvill.

“As always the players will give their best and we hope come 4.50pm on Saturday we will have got our first three points on the board.”

Chatham completed their pre-season at home to a Charlton Athletic XI on Tuesday night, narrowly beaten 2-1.

The match saw Chats’ assistant Danny Kedwell play against his son Harvey Kedwell.

Hake’s men hit the road on Tuesday night when they play Folkestone Invicta away.