It's important for me to create genuine competition for places, says Faversham Town boss Ray Turner

FAVERSHAM TOWN boss Ray Turner has strengthened his squad with the addition of two new players as he wants to bring competition for places to his squad next season.


The Lilywhites excelled last season when they finished in third-place in the Ryman League Division One South table but after beating Hythe Town 3-0 at Salters Lane in the play-off semi-final, they suffered a 3-0 defeat at runners-up Maidstone United in the play-off final, in front of 2,226 fans at James Whatman Way on 4 May.

Striker Brendon Cass, 29, who scored 15 goals for Hythe Town last season, has signed, as has left-winger Rhys Lawson, 25, who left Herne Bay a few weeks ago.

Turner is delighted to welcome the pair to Salters Lane.

“Both players showed a real desire to join the club and I was impressed with the attitude shown by both players,” he said.

“It is very important that any players I bring in to join last season’s squad add something.

“In Brendon, we have a proven goalscorer and a different sort of forward to the ones already at Faversham.

“He will enhance my options up front, keeping a front line that is fresh with so many games will be an important aspect as I plan my squad.”

Turner added: “In Rhys, I have a player who impressed last season and who offers a genuine threat going forward on either flank.

“He will add energy and freshness to the squad.”

Turner emphasised that although there were many players that have expressed an interest in joining Faversham Town, he had a great deal of faith in the current playing squad.

“I have trust in the players we currently have at the club.

“What is important for me is that I create genuine competition for places in the summer and I see for myself that players are prepared to fight for a place in my final sixteen.

“I believe I have that with some 24 players already pencilled in for the first session on Thursday 27 June, two days before Gillingham visit.”

Turner also gave an insight into the future at Faversham Town.

He said: “I was at a meeting last night where for the first time I saw for myself initial development plans for the ground.  It is a phased plan that will enable us to be self-sufficient and not be so reliant on gates.

“I made a statement a while ago saying there is a real cohesion in terms of our short and long-term vision.  We have good people at the club and more joining this season, they are driven and ambitious and want to create the best facilities possible, not just on the footballing side but facilities that can be enjoyed by the whole community.

“We have a real buzz around the club on match-days now, the supporters were great last season, they were so positive.

“I hope our gates will continue to grow but we have to help ourselves and not rely entirely on gate money and sponsorship.

“The first stage is to get new changing rooms, which will incorporate a new seated stand then we hope to progress from there, with six further stages of development planned.”

Meanwhile, Faversham Town have confirmed their pre-season friendlies so far and will play Gillingham (home, 29 June, 1pm); Canterbury City (away, 13 July, 3pm) and Maidstone United (home 16 July, 7:45pm).

Visit Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk