Sittingbourne have boosted their squad with three new signings – but none of them will receive a penny.

Striker Tim Beckford, centre-half Nick Brown and goalkeeper Luke Watkins have joined Brickies’ Ryman League Division 1 South play-off bid.

Joint-boss Jim Ward (pictured) revealed: "None of them are getting any money. To say we’re thin on the ground is an understatement, so we signed the three of them but we can’t afford to pay them."

Beckford made his debut as a second-half substitute in Bourne’s 2-1 defeat at Worthing last weekend.

Brickies face another Kent derby on Saturday with play-off rivals Hythe the visitors to Bourne Park.

Ward, who will again be without suspended midfielder Treadwell, said: "It’s like the old Kent League days with all these derbies.

"Ryman South is just a jumped-up Kent League with the addition of a few good teams. If you had a few bob, you’d walk away with this league.

"It’s no coincidence that the top three – Maidstone, Dulwich and Leatherhead – are the clubs with money."