Sammy Moore can’t wait to start working with his new-look Faversham squad.

The Town manager is close to finalising a strong side as they aim to bounce back from 2022/23 Isthmian South East relegation.

Moore took charge in November but was unable to save the club from the drop.

He’s been busy this summer, though, with attacking midfielder Billy Bennett and attacker Ashley Miller the latest to agree to sign for Faversham.

“This is actually my team,” he said.

“Last year, I couldn’t get in the players I wanted to get.

“This year is totally different. It’s onwards now.”

Bennett helped Chatham win Isthmian South East while he played for Erith & Belvedere in their season run-in on the way to Southern Counties East Premier Division glory.

Moore said: “He will be a massive player for us.”

Miller, meanwhile, is back for a second stint at Faversham.

“He’s another big signing for the club,” Moore said.

“I think our front three or four will be one of the most attacking, not only at our level, but at Step 4.”

Miller will be reunited with ex-Ramsgate defender Jake McIntyre, who had been skipper at Southwood before he agreed to link up with the Lilywhites last week.

Moore said: “We came up against Jake last year. His left foot gives us that balance on the left side.

“Even just speaking to him, you can hear his ambition to win titles and win leagues.

“Our coaching staff can really set out how we’re going to play in pre-season and what we’re going to do.

“Jake’s a good defender.

“We know other clubs were in for him. But the chairman [Gary Smart] sold him the vision of the club.”

At the other end of the pitch, Town hope hitman Gary Lockyer will deliver.

Moore said: “He would say himself that he probably had 10 or 15 clubs after him.

“But I wanted to sit down with him and the chairman.

“He’s the best striker in SCEFL and probably at Step 4 as well.

“His work-rate is unbelievable. That’s what we want.

“More importantly, he’s a family man. We’re a family club.

“I know he did stuff at Ashford to help the women’s and disability teams.

“It would not surprise me if he gets 40 or 40-plus goals this year.

“To win a league, you need strikers like that.”

The Lilywhites have also confirmed their warm-up fixtures - which will all be away with work ongoing on the installation of the club’s new 3G pitch.

They are due to start at Hythe on Tuesday, July 4, and end at Isthmian Premier Folkestone on Saturday, July 22.

They travel to Sittingbourne for the Bob Amor Cup on Tuesday, July 18, and will visit Ramsgate (July 8), Burgess Hill (July 11) and Chatham (July 15).

“It’s a pre-season packed with good sides - Step 3 and 4 teams,” Moore noted.

“I’m a big believer in the better the opposition, the more you learn.”

Moore always wanted to have his recruitment completed by the end of this month.

He’s still after a couple more players - including one who has been playing at Step 2 - but he’s almost there.

Moore said: “We’ve spoken to a couple [of strikers] but we’re going to be patient on that. It’s got to be the right one.

“We’re looking at someone at National League South level. Hopefully, we will get that done but negotiations are still early at the minute.

“If we can get him, that’s another huge signing for the football club to be part of the journey.”