Managing director Dave Archer insists Ebbsfleet United are not shopping for players in the bargain basement this summer.

Fleet are working with a reduced playing budget but Archer says it’s not as small as some supporters think.

He pointed to the recruitment of Aswad Thomas, Ayo Obileye and Gozie Ugwu as proof of the calibre of player Ebbsfleet can still attract.

Archer said: “I’m trying to help Garry Hill build the best competitive squad he can within the budget.

“Although there’s been some thoughts by certain fans that the budget would be drastically low, by the signings we’ve made to date – with more to follow – we are recruiting National League players with experience of a good level that will make this team competitive going forward.

“We’re certainly not sourcing our players in the bargain basement bins.

“There will be players here from last season and there will be new players.

“We will be working within a tighter financial constraint but still a very reasonable one, one I’m comfortable to be working within.”

The financial restructure Fleet announced last October comes into full effect on Monday after a period of significant turbulence at Stonebridge Road.

Most of last season’s squad have now left the club, which will be less reliant on external funding from Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi.

Archer said: “The last seven months have been the hardest time of my life.

“There were times when I didn’t think we’d come out the other side but we’ve battled on through that period.

“I can see light at the end of the tunnel and I can see a path forward where the Fleet can go on and be a stable, competitive National League club.

“A lot of work has gone on during this period and I’d like to thank Garry for what he does with me because I couldn’t have got through it without him.

“He’s been absolutely fantastic and we work together well with the common purpose of trying to bring stability to this football club.

“I want to have a club that can live within the budget the owner is happy with and feels comfortable about going forward.

“I was made aware of that budget many months ago and I’ve been striving to get to the point where that budget, from July 1, can be implemented and the owner knows exactly the amount he’s got to put in.

“He’s given his assurance to me that he’s happy with that and the goal hasn’t changed. Garry Hill will always want to win football matches.

“We will not be having such a deficit as last year but there will still be a deficit.

“Our budget remains competitive. Other clubs in this league will have less than us, some will have more than us, but our budget is not bargain basement. It’s still a good budget.”

Archer also confirmed that Ebbsfleet will continue to train full-time at K Sports this season.

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