Deal Town head coach Steve King says it has been easier than ever to attract players to join the club - but won't rush to make signings

Head coach Steve King says it has been easier than ever to attract players to join Deal - but that doesn’t mean they’ll be rushing to make any signings.

The Hoops have retained 16 of their squad for the 2022/23 Southern Counties East Premier Division campaign, although some have moved on.

Winger Troy Howard, 20, has left for Isthmian Premier outfit Margate. Others departing are goalkeeper James Tonkin, Jack Paxman, Sammy Gibson and Sam Wilson.

But Deal moved quickly to replace Tonkin, bringing in Henry Newcombe from Hythe.

“Having been at the club for seven years, and trying to recruit for seven summers, this has been the easiest,” said King, who led Deal to a fourth-placed finish alongside manager Derek Hares.

“People view the club a little bit differently now with the crowds we’re getting and, with the players we have retained, we have shown we could be successful again.

“But we are not the sort of club that brings anyone and everyone in. We will bring the right ones in if we can get it done.

“We will be patient as well. There might be players at higher-league clubs not getting the minutes they want and they may become available.

“If the right players become available, like Henry, we will try and act as quickly as we can.

“It’s important we get the right characters. We are a very close-knit group, we need players that are coming in to buy into that.

“But certainly, we will be hopeful of strengthening.”

Tonkin had played a vital role for the Hoops in recent years but Newcombe, playing for his hometown club, seems a good replacement.

King, who didn’t rule out Paxman rejoining the club if his work situation changes, explained: “We were aware that this was a possibility with James potentially leaving about two months