Manager Richard Styles has hailed 35-goal Matt Gething as the best striker in the league as the pair reunite at Whitstable.

Gething, who impressed at Tunbridge Wells in the 2021/22 season, will remain in the Southern Counties East Premier Division next term for the Oystermen’s promotion challenge.

He is one of four players Styles has brought to Whitstable from his former club already, with winger Kyron Lightfoot and midfielders James Huggins and Jordan Wells also heading to The Belmont.

Styles said: “What he did last season, and his development over the last year, has been very, very good. He reaped his rewards for that.

“I firmly believe he is the best striker in the division.

"He was hot property this summer for obvious reasons.”

Styles, who is close to signing two defenders and another frontman, expects to announce his retained list soon.

He insists there are some existing Whitstable players he wants to keep hold of.

“I’ve met with all the players really,” he said.

“There will be an announcement at some point this week with our retained list.

“It’s certainly not a case of getting rid of everyone. It’s more a case of building on the positives and then adding to that.

“But at the same time, we don’t want to keep every player because they finished bottom of the Isthmian League. It’s about finding the right balance.”

Whitstable fans will get the opportunity to meet Styles and assistant manager Dan Morrin at The Belmont from 7.30pm on Wednesday, June 8.