New Margate manager Andy Drury signs left-back Taylor Fisher from Sittingbourne and winger Troy Howard from Deal Town

New Margate manager Andy Drury has made his first two signings this summer.

Drury has gone back to the club where he started his playing career to beat off stiff competition to sign left-back Taylor Fisher, 22, from Isthmian South East Sittingbourne while 20-year-old winger Troy Howard is back at Hartsdown Park.

Howard is a product of Margate’s Academy. He impressed in the 2021/22 season for Deal Town.

“Troy has so much pace that it is scary,” Drury told the Gate website.

“He will be able to get down the wings and really impact the game for us.”

Former Dartford defender Fisher, meanwhile, signs for the Isthmian Premier club having been named the Brickies’ supporters’ player-of-the-year, manager’s player-of-the-year and players’ player-of-the-year.

Drury said: “Taylor is a fantastic addition to the squad that we are aiming to build ahead of the 2022/23 season.

“He impressed at Sittingbourne last season and other clubs were looking to sign him, but I am delighted that he joins us.”

He added: “We are looking to have a good blend of experience with some exciting young talent this season, and our first two signings have shown that we are building an exciting squad ahead of the new season.”

The club have also completed their pre-season schedule.

They have arranged home matches against Glebe (July 9), Dover (July 16), a Fulham XI (July 20), Tonbridge Angels (July 23) and Ramsgate (July 30), and away games against Sittingbourne (July 12), Ashford (July 26), Chatham (August 2) and Hythe (August 6).