With the 2008 / 2009 season barely out of the way Faversham Town boss Justin Luchford's plans for next season are already taking shape with Luchford unveiling four new players at the Salters Lane Clubhouse. "

Today marks the Start of a very exciting season ahead for Faversham Town Football Club, since the end of the season I have been working very hard to ensure that I go on holiday with most of the squad in place for next year. As I said at the end of the season, everyone has confirmed that they will be staying for next year out of the current squad, which is great news. But I have wanted to strengthen in a few areas going into the new campaign.

Tonight, I am in a position to announce a few things with regards to the Management Team and the players and I am able to confirm or reject some of the rumours that start this time of year."

"Firstly, and probably most importantly I can confirm that Clive Walker will be staying with us for next season. Clive joined me when Jimmy left the club and has since enhanced everything we do on the field of play as well as work closely with myself to make sure we are doing things right on and off the pitch. Clive, as I have said before brings so much knowledge and experience to us and his coaching skills are second to none. It is fantastic news for the Club that he has decided to stay and I look forward to continuing our working relationship into the new Season.

Additionally to Clive and Scott Davenport (Goalkeeper Coach), I can also confirm that Ray Turner will be joining the Management Team for the coming season. Ray needs no introduction as his U18’s have just lifted the League Title this year as well as nurture through the likes of Jamie Sparks, Kris Richardson and Carl Hodgson to the 1st Team. One of things I will be asking Ray to do is liaise between the three sides from U18’s to Reserves up to me. The one thing we have tried to do is to continue with bringing our youngsters on and hopefully getting themselves in the 1 st Team. One of Ray’s jobs will be to keep this going and keep me informed on who is performing and who to keep an eye on. I have never been afraid to play young lads and that will not change no matter who I sign. In addition to these duties Ray will work closely with me with the 1 st Team in providing them with the best possible chance of winning the game in front of them. There are a number of things he will be able to help with, but most of all Clive and I will be grateful for another pair of hands, as well as the players will. Ray, in my opinion, is very under-rated, and I believe he will add so much to the 1 st Team in a very short space of time. Clive and I are looking forward to working with him and I am sure it can only benefit all three teams at the club."

(For those of you that are concerned about Reserves and U18’s, Ray, John, Lee, Kevin, Rob and myself are working very hard behind the scenes to ensure these teams are in the best possible hands and that they follow in the clubs proud tradition of promoting the Youth within the town. At this time we don’t want to announce anything, but there are things happening and we will have something to report to you all shortly. Trust me, the Youth of this town are just as important as anything at the club, and we are working very hard on this side of things)

Onto some player announcements. As I have said, the whole squad has committed to next season. However, I am in a position to announce 4 New Signings for the New Campaign. As most of you are aware Kevin Readings left us last season due to personal reasons and so I wanted to strengthen in an area to give Carl and Rob Hudson extra incentive for next season. I can confirm that Rob French joins us tonight for the coming campaign. Rob is a Faversham lad and so the club is no stranger to him. Rob spent 4 years at Whitstable Town learning his trade before he was picked up by Ebbsfleet in 2006, where he has spent the last three years. Rob went back to Whitstable to play on loan and help them clinch the Kent League Premier under previous Manager Marc Seager. Rob has spent three years at the Conference National Club, and has also been out on loan to a number of Ryman Premier clubs as well. This is a big signing for us, and at 19 years of age it just shows what we are about as a club in bringing in the youth, and in this case bringing a home grown player back to his roots. This gives Rob a chance to settle and fight for a 1 st Team shirt with the other two lads and is someone Scott is looking forward to working with. Welcome Rob

Next is a lad who I am hoping will light up Salters Lane in the coming season. I have been told today that others think he is past his best. To them I say this, at 24 years of age how on earth can you be past your best? He holds the record of goals scored in the Kent Premier League in the shortest space of time. He was out for most of last season after a successful operation, but still managed to come off the bench towards the end of the season and bag a few goals. Tonight, I am absolutely delighted to announce that Michael (Buster) Smissen will be joining Faversham Town for the new campaign. Buster has turned down a number of clubs to join us and for that I am very thankful. He turns his focus now on getting himself back to full fitness and with our physios and fitness staff he will be more than ready come the pre-season games. It is a massive signing for the club, and probably gives us the most potent strike force in the league, if we are firing on all cylinders. Please join me in welcoming Buster to his new home.

Up next is a lad from the same club last season. Another young lad in 25 years old, but with plenty of experience. Dale Skelton arrives after a few seasons at Hythe Town under my good friend Paul Fisk, with lots of experience and also with the added bonus of already working with Clive back in his Dover days together with Buster. At the same time, Shane Hamshare, Tom Hickman amongst others worked together under the Dover umbrella and I’m sure they will all be looking forward to working with each other once again. Dale will give us a little more stability in the middle, although versatile, he can put his foot on the ball and will give us a little more time in certain situations. I am very much looking forward to working with him. Welcome Dale.

Finally, I can announce that James Gregory is also joining the club this evening. James spent last season up the road at Margate where he started 29 times and picked up 3 player of the month awards. At 27 James has won the Kent League and the Ryman South with Ramsgate and also played in the Hythe Team that were narrowly pipped two seasons ago. James will give us that little extra experience that we need all over the pitch. James can play in a number of positions, but being left footed, gives him an edge on others. I have watched James for a number of years and was someone I always wanted to bring in and to get him from a Ryman Premier club was tough, but I think and hopefully he will agree with me that he has made the right decision. Welcome James

Tonight, I am a very happy Manager. Since I have been here all I have asked from my players (apart from winning every game, of course) is honesty. I have taken the decision to work in this way and I expect the players to follow suit. In the lads above, they gave me their word a little while ago and tonight they have come through, together with all the lads I have here already.

It is a great night for the club and it gives Clive, Ray, Scott and I something to look forward to. As I have said since I have been here, every year I want to improve. Next year is no different. We finished with 61 points and next year we will work to better that. In addition, I would also like to go one better in a Cup and give something back to the fans as they deserve a Cup Final.