Returning goalkeeper Adam Molloy is looking forward to being part of a new era at Sheppey United.

Molloy was part of the quadruple-winning side of 2022 but left after winning the Southern Counties East Premier Division title with the Ites, then managing the same feat in successive seasons with Erith & Belvedere and Deal Town.

The Hextable-based keeper admitted the travel to Deal was too much to commit for another season and he had a number of offers before opting for a return to the Ites.

“I had quite a few offers as soon as I said I’d be leaving Deal,” said Molloy.

“It was just weighing them all up. I made it clear to Deal that I was going to be leaving about seven or eight weeks before the end of the season, just because of the travel.

“It’s an amazing club, it’s run really well, and I had a really good two seasons there. To be honest, if it was a bit closer, I probably would have stayed.

“It’s a new era at Sheppey and it was a decision that I’m happy with. It’s going to be really good to go back and see all the fans and all the people as well that are still at the club that I’ve known before, and also to play with some players that I’m quite good friends with.

“I’ll be able to car-share with Billy Bennett again this year as we live quite close. It’s going to be exciting.

“The facilities at Sheppey are awesome. It’s done properly, a really well run club, and the fans are awesome.

“I’ve had so many people reach out already since I got announced, which is really nice to hear and obviously I get kind words from everyone, which is great.”

Molloy enjoyed a good end to the season at Deal, finishing the campaign with a trio of clean sheets and seven straight wins as the Hoops finished four points better off than Sheppey, in seventh place.

“Towards the end of the season we were top of the form table,” he said.

“We won seven, lost one and the game we lost, I was actually at a wedding, so it wasn’t me!

“Kingy at Deal was a great manager and I’m sure they’ll be in and around the play-offs again this season. It was a good finish for us.”

It was the first time in four seasons Molloy didn’t finish with a winner’s medal.

He said: “I could have dropped out after a season at Deal. I had a few offers to go back down and win the SCEFL again, but I have played step four for most of my career.”

He’ll now be playing that level under Kevin Watson and assistant Tommy Osborne - and he’s worked with them both before.

Molloy said: “When I was 17, 18, I’d just come out of playing football for England Schoolboys and I signed for Chatham. Kevin was playing and then got the manager’s job and he was player-manager. That was in step four.

“We were near the bottom but managed to stay up, and I got thrown in. That’s how my non-league career started. I briefly played with him and have played against him many times.

“I helped out at Ashford for a one-off game last season, after I left Hythe, and I saved a penalty for him!

“He’s a good guy and obviously he likes to play good football. You speak to other players in non-league and he’s spoken about really highly as well.

“It's going to be good to work with him properly. I haven’t worked for him for about 15 years.

“Tommy as well, when I was a young lad coming through at Dartford, he was one of the top players there. I trained with him when I was really young. I doubt he’d remember but it’s going to be good to work with those two.

“In the last few years I feel that I’ve been playing well. They know what I can do. I’ve been around non-league for a while now and everyone knows what I bring to the table.”

Lex Allan is back at Sheppey United - a signing that manager Kevin Watson made a priority.

The centre-back played for the Ites during their Southern Counties East Premier Division title-winning season. He has had three spells at Sittingbourne and also featured for Hythe Town.

“Sheppey is a special club for me,” said the centre-half. “It’s where I grew up and was my first step into football.

“There’s been a couple of opportunities in the past to sign back but for one reason or another it didn’t quite work out.

“To finally sign is a great feeling and I’m delighted to be back playing for the Ites.

“I’ve had some really positive conversations with the gaffer and his vision and expectations for the season are exciting.

“I can’t wait to get going and really looking forward to the challenge next year.”

Sheppey general manager Lee Allan added: “Lex was a priority for Kev. You (can) tell how much affection Lex has for it here.”