Whitstable Town hitman Steadman Callender faces early reunion as Oystermen start Southern Counties East Premier Division season against Erith Town

Striker Steadman Callender is set to face an opening-day reunion with his old club when he makes his Whitstable debut this season.

Callender joined the Oystermen earlier in the summer from Southern Counties East Premier Division rivals Erith Town. The two teams will meet at The Belmont next Saturday, as 29-year-old Callender comes up against plenty of familiar faces.

The striker made history while with the Dockers, including scoring the last-ever competitive goal netted at Brentford’s former Griffin Park ground, but Whitstable boss Marcel Nimani wants Callender to write his name into their record books.

“He has come in from Erith Town and he speaks very respectfully of them,” Nimani said.

“I’m sure it will be emotional. But I trust him to manage his emotions.

“From what I’ve seen, he is really keen to repeat his history with Erith at Whitstable now.”

Whitstable are in FA Cup action at Haywards Heath, who were relegated from Isthmian South East last season, the following Saturday before a trip to Glebe on August 12 and a home game against Lordswood three days later.

They finish off the opening month by hosting Kennington and then visiting much-fancied Faversham on August 28.

Nimani claimed: “When we look at our August schedule, it’s about as tough a start as you can get.

“We have got Erith Town, a promotion contender, and then Haywards Heath in the FA Cup. They will be promotion contenders in their league.”

Winger Ashley Robinson has moved on despite featuring for Whitstable in pre-season.

Nimani explained: “Ashley had a really good pre-season with us.

“He was keen on staying around. But we felt, for the time being, he might not get the minutes he deserves and in the position he wants to play.

“He’s trialling somewhere