GRAVESEND & Northfleet have acknowledged Andy Drury’s emergence as a midfielder with genuine potential by rewarding him with a two-year extension to his existing deal, which has another year to run.

Drury, who joined the club from Sittingbourne last summer, made an uncertain start to life in the Nationwide Conference but went on to establish himself as an integral part of the side. The new deal keeps him at the club until 2007.

Adrian Pennock, Gravesend’s assistant manager, described the news as a big coup for the club. He said: “All credit to our manager Andy Ford for securing the deal because Andy is an outstanding prospect with so much natural ability.

“He’s very level-headed and if he has another good season then I believe League clubs will come sniffing round for him. He’s a match-winner and you can’t get enough of those in your team.”

Drury will be a part of a full-strength Gravesend squad that takes on Gillingham in the club’s first home pre-season friendly on Saturday at Stonebridge Road.

The match kicks off at 3pm and will almost certainly see further discussions between the two clubs over a possible ground share in Gravesham now that Gillingham have abandoned plans to relocate to Strood’s Temple Marsh.

With Fleet ticket sales showing a significant increase on last season, the club anticipate a bumper crowd.

“Our new signings will be on parade and it will give us a chance to spring a surprise on Gillingham this year,” said club secretary Roly Edwards. “Fans of both clubs will be keen to see what they can look forward to in the coming season.”

Fleet’s hopes of signing midfielder Gary Holloway following his surprise release by Stevenage were dashed when the player failed to appear for three training sessions last week.

Holloway had been scheduled to appear but rang to say that he had second thoughts because of travelling from his Woking home and joined Farnborough instead.

The Fleet won their opening pre-season friendly at Folkestone on Saturday 2-0 thanks to goals from Justin Skinner (penalty) and Roy Essandoh.

* The Fleet have added another fixture to their pre-season schedule, with a match against Ashford at Homelands on Monday, August 2.