Chatham Town captain Jack Evans praises club volunteers ahead of first Isthmian Premier match of the season at home to Bognor Regis Town

Skipper Jack Evans has paid tribute to the work done by Chatham’s club volunteers.

Evans led the way in their title-winning Isthmian South East campaign last term, as he netted more than 20 goals from midfield.

But he pointed out plenty of people behind the scenes need to do lots of work on matchdays, too.

Evans said: “The staff in general are really good.

“There’s lots of people on the committee and stuff that do so much work for the club. So much work goes on around the club, where people volunteer.

“When we have got 2,500 people here [like they had at the end of last season], people do have to sell teas, they have got to sell burgers. It’s credit to everyone.

“Without everyone pulling together, this wouldn’t have been possible.”

Chats boss Kevin Hake and his management team had to make some tough decisions on their way to a second successive promotion, despite sticking with some of their squad from the season before.

Reflecting on their 2022/23 success, which also included reaching the Kent Senior Cup Final, the 30-year-old said: “It’s been a real privilege to captain this football club and the team.”

There’s plenty for them to look forward to in Isthmian Premier, including Kent derbies against Folkestone and Margate - two clubs Evans has played for.

Chats visit Folkestone in their first derby of the season on Tuesday but, before then, they start at home to Bognor Regis this Saturday.

“We’ll see a few friends,” noted Gravesend-born Evans, who began his career at Gillingham before he joined Tamworth in 2013.

Experienced campaigner Andy Drury was part of Chats’ title-winning squad last campaign but he has left this summer to rejoin Folkestone in a player-coach role.