Popular forward Kane Rowland has rejoined Sittingbourne.

Manager Darren Blackburn has boosted his front line by bringing in the former Ramsgate striker.

"Top lad and great attitude, looking forward to working with him," said Blackburn. "Thanks to Ramsgate for the smooth transition, two goals against our reserves already but will offer much more. I can see that."

Rowland enjoyed a golden 2017/18 season in Sittingbourne colours when he scored 23 goals but he left on the eve of the following campaign to join Folkestone.

Subsequent spells back at Sittingbourne and Ramsgate followed for the striker, who also lists Whitstable and Margate among his former clubs.

It's a big boost for the Brickies ahead of their FA Cup opener on Saturday, September 12 when they face a Kent derby at Southern Counties East League Deal Town.

Blackburn's men have got plenty of pre-season action under their belts, beating Borden Village 3-1 and Thanet United 5-1 - a game which saw Vance Bola net a hat-trick.

Bola and Johan Caney Bryan (2) were on target in a 3-2 success over Rochester United while Bourne were beaten 1-0 by both Sheppey and Gillingham under-23s.

The club have welcomed spectators back to Woodstock for those last two matches, introducing e-ticketing, cashless payments and social distancing signage along with other precautions and sanitisation points.

Sittingbourne start their Isthmian South East league campaign at home to Whitstable Town on Saturday, September 19 with a trip to Cray Valley seven days later.

The theme of local derbies continues into October with two home games in quick succession against Faversham (October 3) and Ashford (October 6).

Read more: All the latest sports news in Kent