Faversham boss Ray Turner has backed Jack Harris to break the 30-goal barrier this season after capturing the highly-rated forward on a permanent deal from Maidstone United.

The 20-year-old made more than a dozen first-team appearances last season after joining the Stones from Kent League Tunbridge Wells – where he scored 51 goals in 112 starts – in October 2013.

Harris scored three in six games on loan at Salters Lane as he recovered from an injury early in his Stones career and, after agreeing a one-year contract at Maidstone this season, has spent three consecutive one-month loans at the Lilywhites – scoring 10 goals – the latest in Saturday’s home defeat to Hastings United.

Harris’ loan deal expired on Monday and FA rules dictated the only way Harris could return to Salters Lane on loan this season would have been on a deal from January to the end of the season, so the clubs agreed to transfer his contract to Faversham, despite Harris scoring four for Stones under-21s on Monday night.

Turner said: “I spoke to Stones boss Jay Saunders and he recognises the best thing is for Jack to be playing, so we came to an arrangement.

“There were other clubs in for him. He could have gone to play at a higher level with Canvey Island but he wanted to come here.

“It’s great for the club and I’m grateful to Jay for helping us get this done.”
He added: “The door isn’t closed for Jack at Maidstone. Taking over his contract was just the only way we could get him back now.

“We have an agreement between Jay, Jack and I that if anything should change at Maidstone then the door is not shut to him.

“He’s got 10 already this season and I see no reason why he should go on, score 30 goals and break records.”

Former Herne Bay and Folkestone midfielder Darren Marsden has, though, been released, with Turner saying: “We have to look at the bigger picture and we have emerging players in that area, as well as some more experienced ones.

“He has been fantastic for us but he needs to play. He’s too good to be sat on the bench, so I made the early call and took the decision for both parties.”

Turner’s side remained top of Ryman League Division 1 South, despite Saturday’s surprise 5-1 defeat to Hastings United but the boss wants Town to put ground between themselves and second-placed Burgess Hill when they visit rock-bottom Walton Casuals on Saturday.

Turner said: “We’ve had a big bump down to earth but Burgess Hill are playing in the Trophy and we have to try and take advantage of that and start another run.”

Aiden Sherlock and Josh Stanford should return but Jamie Maxted and Dean Grant serve one-game bans and Sam Bewick begins a three-match suspension. Renford Tenyue remains sidelined as he awaits tests on his heart.