Sittingbourne have agreed new deals with almost all of last season’s squad.

Steven Ita and Jack Steventon are among those to have rejected moves, while the list of players staying also includes Adam Molloy, Jono Richardson, Tom Carlse, Adam Allen and Miles Cornwell.

But Brickies could lose highly-rated left-back Conrad Lee, who is going on trial with an unnamed professional club up north.

Brickies boss Nick Davis said: “We’ve signed on 13 or 14 from last season.

“I think the majority have had other options. People have got to be here for the right reasons.

“It’s not about money, so they have to enjoy themselves and hopefully we’ll get the best out of them.

“We put a team down on paper that we think is half-decent but, with regards to bringing in experienced players, we just can’t do it.”

Brickies have done well to hold on to Ita and Steventon.

Ita scored nine goals and laid on 13 in half a season, while defender Steventon attracted interest after forcing his way into the side aged 17.

Davis said: “Ita had lots of interest. He was instrumental in pulling us out of trouble, he played a massive part and he said, ‘I’m not going anywhere’.

"Jack can see we’re putting faith in young players, he knows he’s going to play.

"At the moment, staying here is the smart thing to do.”