Sittingbourne's first summer signings include two young players from Millwall.

They've brought in forward Harry Taylor and centre-half Lewis West following their release by the Championship club.

Brickies manager Chris Lynch believes he can help them back into the Football League.

He said: "Harry's an up-and-coming No.10 with a very bright future.

"League clubs are looking but he's here for the time-being and he's going to be a very good player.

"He trained with us towards the end of last season and I wanted to sign him straight away.

"Lewis is another hot prospect. He's looking to cement himself at this level and get back in the Football League.

"There are other clubs - league clubs - looking at these players but we're giving them a platform and I fully expect them to push on.

"Whether that's midway through the season or at the end of the season, I don't know, but they have the quality and they've joined a club who do things the right way and want to help them.

"They know they have to work hard but between me, Nathan Elder (assistant) and Darren Blackburn (coach) we have a lot of contacts.

"There will be scouts and success to me is not just for the club, but to leave a legacy where players are treated well and have an opportunity to shine.

"If they get snapped up, which is our hope, then we've done our job."

Sittingbourne have also signed left-back Jason Fregene from Blackburn's old club, Hollands & Blair.

He won the manager's player-of-the-year award at Blair and Lynch feels he is ready to step up a level and perform in Bostik South East.

Lynch has also struck new deals with several members of last season's squad, including captain and right-back Chris Webber.

Centre-half Lex Allan is also staying, along with utility man Tommie Fagg, midfielders Chris Barnard and Lewis Chambers and wingers Liam Middleton and Tom Loynes.

• Taylor-made for coaching

Lynch said: "A lot of clubs from higher divisions have come in for these players.

"The fact they've chosen to stay says a lot, I would say, in terms of where the club was prior to my arrival to where it is now.

"Ordinarily, those players would have gone but there's a real sense of direction here now, they want to be part of something special and they see what we've created.

"The club's evolving and the players have got that buzz. They can see the club taking steps forward."

Sittingbourne won the Bostik South East Respect award at the league dinner in Brighton on Saturday night.

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