Frontmen Ira Jackson Jr and Ibrahim Olutade can get even better at Folkestone, joint-boss Roland Edge believes.

Both have committed to stay at Cheriton Road for Invicta’s 2023/24 Isthmian Premier campaign and will remain crucial attacking players.

Olutade, who turns 25 next month, bagged 17 goals after he joined from National League South Tonbridge last summer, forcing his way into the side after he began the campaign largely from the bench.

Ex-Football League player Jackson, 26, contributed 12 goals. Eight of them came after the turn of the year.

“We spoke at length to both of them,” said Edge.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for them.

“I think they’re good players - and the best thing for them is we think they can get better.

“Ira, in his first season, he got 30 goals and then goes to Grimsby. You automatically think 30 goals again [when he comes back].

“But he still had a good season and he feels he can get better.

“Ibz is an honest lad. I thought he got better and better as the season went on. It’s about fine-tuning him, really.

“I think there’s a lot of goals and assists in them.”

As Edge and joint-head coach Micheal Everitt put their own mark on the squad, experienced players Matt Newman, Josh Vincent and Ian Draycott have moved on.

Player-of-the-season Nathan Green is set to exit, too, having signed for Hornchurch.

But - along with Olutade and Jackson - centre-back Ian Gayle and influential midfielder Scott Heard have agreed to stay put, alongside keeper Joe Coleman and youngsters Jordan Ababio and Lenny Atherton.

Edge, who has also signed defender Crossley Lema and midfielder Kane Penn from Hastings, said: “There’s, obviously, a few players that have left our place, due to age, work commitments and things like that.

“But it’s always nice to retain the majority of what you want.

“That means a lot.”

There’s been plenty of player movement already in the close-season, despite the fact the new campaign doesn’t get under way for more than two months.

With league rivals Hornchurch having parted company with ex-Gillingham manager Mark Stimson and Peter Adeniyi back at Carshalton in place of former Tonbridge boss Steve McKimm, Edge noted: “There’s so much changing on the managerial side and I think that means more recruitment.

“That’s why I think it’s been really busy.”

But for Folkestone, it’s not just on the pitch where changes are being made.

Outgoing chairman Jim Pellatt retired last week and popular volunteers Neil Pilcher and Pauline Cugley - the wife of legendary ex-boss Neil Cugley - have also stepped back from their roles.

Edge joked: “I really like Mev... I cannot believe they’re leaving because of him!

“You lose the Sir Alex Ferguson of non-league football [Cugley] and he leaves a big void - the same with Pilch. He’s one of the people that has been very important at the club.

“But we still have Cugs in the background. He said ‘Go and get the team ready and I’ll work in the background’.

“He helps us lots.”

Folkestone have unveiled their new match kits, which includes investors Alcaline UK as front-of-kit sponsors.