Sittingbourne manager Chris Lynch has wasted no time preparing for next season.

Lynch has nine new players lined up and more could follow as he sets about making the Brickies competitive in Bostik South East.

He's keeping names under wraps for now but is happy with his early business.

He said: "I have nine new faces agreed and I'm looking to add one or two more but the team is already built for next year.

"People get excited about a project that's got clearly defined outcomes and targets.

"If I say something, the majority of the time it's going to happen and players respect that.

"They know what they're going to get from me and it's up to them if they're up for the challenge because I don't set easy targets.

"I want to push on and to do that, you need the right personnel.

"I said I was looking to add experience and I have all the bases covered in the main areas, which is great."

Sittingbourne have released goalkeeper Matt Funnell, left-back Rob Lofting, centre-half Harry Barkaway and midfielders Tommy Lawrence and Billy Lewins, while loanees Roman Campbell, Jack Morrell and Henry Woods have all returned to Gillingham.

Their other loanee, defender Ben Fitchett, was recalled by Margate before the end of the season.

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Lynch said: "It's obviously not nice releasing players.

"I've got to consider what's in the best interests of the club and the players.

"Some of them have done very well but we've got some strong players coming in - proven, tested and experienced - and if people aren't going to feature then I've got to be upfront and honest from the start.

"It's a chance for them to go away and find a new club in another league, or at this level, where they can get regular football.

"I'm not releasing them for the sake of it, it's because it's right for them as well. I wish them all the best for the future."

Away from first-team duties, Lynch has completed his new model for Sittingbourne's youth set-up.

He said: "It's all about making sure the foundations are in place.

"It's a five-year plan moving forward where we invest in the coaches we've got and we're self-sufficient from the under-10s up to the first team.

"It's important the whole club is singing from the same hymn sheet, including the female team."

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