Faversham Town chairman Gary Smart not expecting many summer signings at Salters Lane as club prepare for Isthmian League return

Chairman Gary Smart doesn’t expect too many new signings to head through the door at Faversham Town this summer.

Preparations are well under way as Town return to Isthmian South East in 2025/26 after their title-winning campaign last time out.

There are plenty of examples of clubs coming up from the Southern Counties East League Premier Division and being competitive at Step 4 - the main recent one being Chatham, who completed back-to-back promotions as they were crowned 2022/23 Isthmian South East champions.

Smart said: “Sheppey and Chatham fought it out in that [2021/22] season where they both finished on 100 points or more - and Chatham were second. But they then completed back-to-back promotions. It’s doable.

“Sheppey have sort of cemented a place in that league and Erith Town, apart from a little bit of a drop-off at the end of their season, have done really well.

"Deal finished seventh and we were only nine points behind Deal in the 2023/24 season so we know where we are, roughly, without making any changes.

“I think we’re going to bring a couple in - four at the most - but the core will stay.”

While there is likely to be no shortage of players that will be eager to link-up with the Salters Lane side over the close season, Smart warned any new recruits must be able to make an immediate impact at the club.

He explained: “We have got a bit of a plan, unless a player comes along who is actually going to be a first-choice in the starting XI, we’ll stay where we are with the players we’ve got.

“Tommie Fagg came in during February and you’re talking about the love of our life, Billy Bennett, [that he replaced]. Unfortunately, something had to give.

“Tommy felt that, looking to the future, Tommie Fagg could help us a