Manager Ray Turner says he doesn’t want his brightest young stars to stay at Faversham if it’s at the expense of their career development.

Midfielder George Monger, 21, a former Dartford Academy graduate signed an 18-month deal to remain at Salters Lane this week, having turned down a lucrative offer to join Town’s ambitious Ryman League Division 1 South rivals Hythe.

Monger follows 19-year-old Dan Carrington and 18-year-old forward Liam King in signing contracts with the Lilywhites to the delight of Turner.

He said: “George has done extremely well here and we’re pleased he has committed his future to us. Hopefully I will be able to get a few more of them sorted out too. The board have recognised the need for us to do it.

“In George and Dan we have a couple of the best talents in the league under contract. I want players to go on, beyond the Ryman Leagues. I want to be talking about players
going to the Conference or as close to league football as they can.”

He explained: “I recognise where we are in the pyramid of non-league football.
“I believe we have a responsibility to help these young players develop and progress their careers.

“It bothers me when young players are enticed by a bit of extra money to move clubs early in their career but once they do they don’t continue to improve.

“Ultimately I don’t want them to stay at Faversham. If we can’t provide them the platform then I want them to go higher. I am prepared to lose guys, as long as they go to the right club.”

Town resume their attempt to climb the pyramid with what Turner described as ‘the most important game of the season’ at Dorking on Saturday (2.30pm).

Dorking are fifth, in the play-offs, ahead of sixth-placed Faversham on goal-difference, and Turner said: “If we can get a win it guarantees we get back in the top five, and once
we’re there we want to stay there.”

Josh Stanford is set to return to action at Dorking, while Luke Harvey is set to keep his place after his return from Cray Valley.