Sheppey United begin the season with a new-look squad and hopes of making their mark at the third time of asking in Isthmian South East.

The Ites have twice finished just outside the play-off places following their Southern Counties East Premier Division title-winning success.

A host of new faces have joined over the summer and chairman Tony Hughes hopes they can take the next step this season.

“Things are looking good,” he said. “We’re excited to get the season started to see where we are, what sort of level we’re going to be playing at.

“We have a lot of new faces coming in, we lost a few at the end of last season but we had some very good trialists come in and have signed some really good players.

“We hope, and the expectations are, to get in among the play-offs but we think we could be strong enough to challenge for the top, while obviously we would like a good FA Cup again.

“I think with the two seasons we have had now, we have a lot more experience to feel where we are at in the league. We think we are in a better place than last season.

“We have adapted well, we are pleased and we’re getting good numbers (of fans) at home as well.”

The club have been announcing signings daily this week in the build-up to their first Isthmian South East game against Three Bridges.

Attacking midfielder Eitel Goueth has been added to the ranks after impressing on trial.

Manager Ernie Batten said: “Eitel adds skill and creativity to our squad.

“He’ll give us options in a long season ahead, and being young he’s one that we know has the potential to learn a lot this season and push on.”

Winger Gil Carvalho, meanwhile, has chosen to play for The Ites despite recenly being announced as a new arrival at Sittingbourne.

He scored 11 goals and had 10 assists at Herne Bay last season.

Batten said: “The thought of him and Danny Leonard on either flank will give defenders nightmares hopefully. He has everything we need, pace, dribbling skills and is very clever with the runs he makes both on and off the ball.”

There have also been a trio of players signing on dual registration deals with Sheppey Sports, who are also playing at Holm Park.

Midfielder Bailey Catherick and forward Jack Marsh have both come through the Sheppey ranks and already appeared for the club. Forward Shaquille Marthurin scored 30 goals for Dagenham United last season and has scored for the Ites already during pre-seaon.

It’s been a busy summer for the club off the field, with a concert and a beer festival held at the club. Fans can expect to see a new club shop at the ground this season.

Also off the field there is a new director of football in Ralph Valerio - a key addition for the club.

Mr Hughes said: “We recognised that as a club of our size we need to be able to make sure our youth coaches are well equipped to be able to coach our younger players, because that is the future.

“We are going to be bringing in a new coaching system and Ralph is going to be managing that.

“We will be training the coaches who train the kids to give us that clear pathway up to the first team.

“We are building a really good club of youth players, boys and girls.

“Ralph brings in that experience because he has done a bit at Maidstone United and for us it is how do you coach the youth section to be able to get new players for the first team . You can’t just do level one on the internet and that’s all you’ve got. We have to be able to give them a lot more than that, to make us stand out from other clubs.”

United’s away game on Saturday against Three Bridges will be played at Chatham’s Buavill Stadium.

The Crawley-based side are playing in Kent while a 3G pitch is being installed at their own ground.

Three Bridges missed out on promotion after being beaten in the play-off final. They lost just three games at home last season so The Ites will be looking to take advantage on a neutral venue.

Sheppey’s first team beat a combined under-23/18s side on Friday night 9-1. Dan Bradshaw got a hat-trick in the win while fellow striker Dan Carr scored twice.