Jacob Russell has been praised for the growth he made in Faversham’s title-winning season by chairman Gary Smart.
No.1 Russell was a key cog in the Lilywhites’ Southern Counties East League Premier Division triumph this season.
While the 23-year-old suffered a setback as he sustained facial injuries, including a broken nose, in January’s 8-1 home thumping of Lydd, he then returned to work alongside goalkeeping coach Terry Sedge and maintained 11 clean sheets in their last 14 fixtures.
Smart said: “He’s really grown.
"We sort of noticed in the 2023/24 season that he was quite quiet in the box. Terry’s done a great job with him. He’s got him talking.
“He communicates with the back four very well. He had that injury, which you always worry about, ‘Is he going to come back with a bit of fear?’. But he’s come back stronger.
“I think in the Rusthall game (a season-ending goalless draw), he had some pretty decent sort of, I’d say 60-40 saves that he made in front of a striker’s feet, so it proves he’s not worried about that anymore.
"What a talent he is at that age.
“We’re looking forward to him continuing to develop over the coming years. He’s on a contract for next year so he’s definitely with us.
“He’s a young keeper that could be a bit of a superstar.
“So, we’re looking forward to seeing him progress.”
Another to play a crucial role in the Lilywhites title triumph was utility player Matt Newman.
While the experienced Folkestone fans’ favourites gets flak from some due to working with Smart in his day job, he showed his worth on the pitch, scoring crucial goals at Larkfield & New Hythe and Tunbridge Wells in the run-in.
“Some say that, because he works for me, he gets picked for the team,” admitted Smart. “But that’s done on
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