Manager Jamie Coyle knows all about his first summer signing at Whitstable.

Jake McIntyre joins the Oystermen from Southern Counties East Premier Division rivals Faversham having ended the 2023/24 campaign on dual registration at Sheppey, where Coyle’s No.2 Matt Longhurst was director of football.

Left-back McIntyre had been Coyle’s captain in his time in charge of Ramsgate.

“He’s someone that I have worked with since he was a 16-year-old,” revealed Coyle.

“Jake came through my Academy at Dartford.

“I know him really well in terms of his personality. Obviously, he did really well for me at Ramsgate as captain when I took over there.

“He’s someone that has got a wealth of experience but also has that winning mentality that will help the younger players who are already at the club.

“Looking at the games that I’ve looked at - and playing against Whitstable last year -and speaking to the current players, we all agreed it was something that was missing a little bit, in terms of a little bit more experience in the side.”

More new recruits followed McIntyre through the door at The Belmont this week in experienced midfielder Michael West, defender Karn Miller-Neave and forward Jerson Dos Santos.

Speaking on Monday morning, Coyle said: “It’s exciting.

“I cannot really mention names because nothing is done yet but there’s some really exciting prospects and some players who have bought into the project, as we did as a management team.

“They’re really keen to drop down a level or two to get involved in it.”

With Whitstable now having confirmed their released list, former Maidstone, Margate, Welling and Dartford defender Coyle is keen to have his squad ready for the start of pre-season by the time he heads out for the Seniors World Cup in Thailand at the end of the month.

“My idea is to get all the business wrapped up before I go away,” the 40-year-old explained.

“With pre-season starting earlier this year, because the season starts earlier (on Saturday, July 27), we’ve tried to get our business done as soon as we possibly can.

“There’s some very good players that we have spoken to who are kind of leaving their options open.

“They don’t want to commit right now which you understand, as well.

“But, if we have got players willing to commit or if we have really good references for them in terms of their character, we’ll move forward with them.”

Arguably, the most notable of five players set to depart the Oystermen is 18-goal winger Josh Williams.

Coyle admitted: “I was disappointed to lose Josh.

“I’ve got a lot of admiration for him as a player and he’s a really good person, as well, and I was really looking forward to working with him.

“But I totally understand that he had a very good season last year with his goals and his assists, and he’s attracted a lot of attention from clubs higher up.

“The club, as well as myself, don't ever want to stand in the way of someone that has got the potential to play at a higher level.

“Although it would be great for myself and the club for him to stay, especially with younger players that have got the opportunity to progress, you don’t want to stand in their way.

“He has had a lot of offers from higher levels and we have wished him well.

“We have spoken to him and, if it doesn’t work out, hopefully, we will be the first port of call if he decides to come back to this level.”

Talented young left-back George Sheminant is also leaving, alongside centre-back Ollie Gray, attacking midfielder Tyler Anderson and forward Emmanuel Oloyede.

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