Whitstable Town boss Richard Styles has named defender Freeman Rogers as club captain ahead of season opener at Fisher

Whitstable manager Richard Styles has named his captain ahead of the start of the new season.

Freeman Rogers, who followed Styles to The Belmont from league rivals Tunbridge Wells this summer, has been given the armband.

The defender - brother of striker Fjord - has previous captaincy experience at Lordswood, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks.

“Freeman Rogers will be the club captain,” Styles confirmed ahead of their first match of their Southern Counties East Premier Division season at Fisher this Saturday.

“He was always one of the boys that wanted it. He has done it for a number of years at a number of different clubs at different age levels. He’s 26 but very experienced.

“Last year, I think he played 68 games all in all.

"That’s the type of character he is. He’s very consistent and keeps himself fit.

“I believe he’s someone you want in the changing room.”

Young prospects Gus Barnes and Montrell Deslandes have left the club, joining Ashford and Margate respectively, but Styles still has plenty of rising stars coming through the club’s ranks and frontman Harry Stannard back at the club.

Among the club's young prospects are centre-back Cameron Chamberlain and midfielder George McIlroy, who both got first-team exposure last term, and Alfie Prior and Harry O’Donnell, who previously was with Canterbury City.

Styles, whose side won their last friendly against Lydd 4-3 on Tuesday, said: “Some of them got Isthmian League experience and will get SCEFL experience this year. It’s good to have that.

“Then the current crop of under-18s are coming up and can play for the reserves. If they do well, I expect they’ll be knocking on my door and wanting a chance in the first-team.

"It's good stuff."

Styles is hoping to get off to a winning