Carl Rook has dropped down a level as he sees our desire, says Whitstable Town chairman Gary Johnson

WHITSTABLE TOWN chairman Gary Johnson says Carl Rook has signed because he can see the desire within the club.

Rook, 30, has played for Deal Town, Hastings United, Dover Athletic, Horsham, Tonbridge Angels, Dartford, Eastbourne Borough and AFC Hornchurch and scored 8 goals in 23 starts (plus 12 as substitute) for Ryman Premier League side Margate last season.

But Whitstable Town boss Nicky Southall and his new assistant manager Jason Lillis has enticed the striker to drop down a division to sign for the Ryman League Division One South club.

“He’s a proven goalscorer,” said Mr Johnson, when breaking the news.

“He has come to us as a result of Jason Lillis’ connection.

“He’s dropped down a level to join us as he sees the desire Nicky, Jason and I have to take the club forward in these exciting times.”

Whitstable Town open their pre-season campaign with a visit from Wayne Burnett’s Dagenham & Redbridge on 29 June (3pm).

Burnett, 41, started his managerial career with Fisher Athletic in 2004, winning the London Senior Cup and Southern League Eastern Division title.

He then switched to landlords Dulwich Hamlet 2006, but he was appointed manager of the Fish for the second time in May 2007.

He then moved to Essex to manage then Conference side Grays Athletic before he was appointed as the youth team manager at former club Leyton Orient before he became John Still’s assistant manager at Dagenham & Redbridge for season 2009-2010.

However, on 26 February 2013 Burnett was appointed caretaker manager following John Still’s departure to Conference Premier side Luton Town.

Burnett kept the Daggers in League Two and was appointed permanent manager on 2 May 2013.

“As pre-season training approaches, I’m absolutely delighted that all the work behind the scenes in arranging games and training have really progressed on and off the field,” Southall, the former Gillingham ace told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.

Southall, 41, added: “I’m really delighted with the calibre of games throughout pre-season as we build up to the 10^th August.

“The real Blue Ribbon game has to be the visit of League Two team Dagenham & Redbridge.

“This game is a huge feather in Whitstable’s cap as this is a real coup for us and let’s hope we can achieve a bumper crowd at the Belmont.

“I’d like to say a massive thank you to Wayne Burnett for agreeing this fixture. Wayne is a good guy and we go back many years. He is a true gent and in his days an exceptional footballer.  Good luck to Dagenham next season.”

There are only three pre-season games confirmed on that date.  Gillingham will send sides to Faversham Town (1:00pm) and Ashford United (3:00pm).

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk