Faversham Town manager Tommy Warrilow says never-say-die mentality in Step 5 football makes Southern Counties East League battle his toughest yet

An old saying is ringing true for Faversham manager Tommy Warrilow.

The Lilywhites boss is working in Southern Counties East for the first time after succeeding Sammy Moore in January.

He’s been as high as Conference South in his Tonbridge days, while spending the rest of his managerial career in the Isthmian Premier and Isthmian South East.

The cut and thrust of Step 5 football is another challenge for the 59-year-old, with the Lilywhites fighting for promotion.

Warrilow said: “I always got told when I was playing, and I think it’s a fair saying, that the lower you go, the harder it gets.

“The reason it’s a lot harder is because you’re playing against lads who will just give everything.

“The higher up you go, some people pick up a few bad habits on the way, or whatever, and the mentality might be different.”

It’s a double-edged sword for Faversham given their status as pre-season title favourites and perceived wealth. They’re the team everyone wants to beat.

“It was like that before I got here,” said Warrilow. “It’s a great thing for the football club because everyone’s talking about them.

“It’s died down a little bit but everyone knows Faversham’s a club with a lot going on, that a lot of people want to play.

“I’ve said previously the budget is nowhere near what was rumoured but, I’m not going to lie, it is a very good budget.

“They were the team everyone wanted to beat in the Isthmian South East last year, because of the stigma surrounding the club.

“They got relegated and this season teams want to roll Faversham over even more so, not only because they’ve dropped a level but because they’ve kept very good players.

“I love that. That’s brilliant. Like I said to the boys, everyone would swap places with you, everyone