Margate manager Nikki Bull has completed his first signing.

The arrival of promising striker Mike Fondop-Talom on a one-year deal is the first of what Bull hopes will be a long line of young, hungry players brought in to revive Gate's fortunes in Vanarama National League South.

Bull revealed that it was his close friend, and football agent David Lee who first recommended 22-year-old Fondop-Talom, who played for Billericay Town in the Ryman League Premier Division last season and is described on the club's website as 'swashbuckling favourite.'

The Gate boss added:"He's six foot three, he's quick and more importantly he's hungry. I've watched him five or six times and he's exactly the sort of player we are looking for."

Fondop-Talom was playing for Stanway Rovers when he caught the eye of Billericay manager Craig Edwards and, after impressing in an under-21 game at Great Wakering he was immediately thrust into the Essex club's first team.

He marked his debut with a goal in a 6-0 home win over Met Police and scored eight times in his first six matches - a run of form which led to experienced team-mate Onome Sodje being sent out on loan to Cray Wanderers.

He finished the season with 11 goals in all competitions and his speed and physical attributes will no doubt remind Margate supporters of former favourite Freddie Ladapo, who joined Premier League Crystal Palace in March.

There was more good news for Gate fans on Monday when it was announced that defender Brett Johnson and midfielder Lewis Taylor - the supporters' player-of-the-year - have both signed deals to stay at Hartsdown for the 2016/17 season.

Boss Bull said: “It is great that both Lewis and Brett will be with us again next season. We are rebuilding at Margate but these were players that I wanted to keep and I am delighted that they have agreed to stay.

“Both Brett and Lewis are very popular with the fans here and that showed Friday night (at the club's presentation evening) and I have no doubt that would have gone a long way to deciding that they wanted to be part of this different project moving forward.”