Margate manager Andy Drury has revealed he used to play alongside the father of first summer signing Taylor Fisher.

Drury went back to the club where he started his playing career to sign the left-back, 22, from Isthmian South East Sittingbourne.

Fisher arrives at Hartsdown Park having been named Bourne’s supporters’ player-of-the-year, manager’s player-of-the-year and players’ player-of-the-year at the end of the 2021/22 season, while striker Emmanuel Oluwasemo has also signed, having been Faversham's top scorer.

When asked if he had received good references about Taylor - son of Brickies legend Dave - from those he knows at Sittingbourne, former Football League midfielder Drury replied: “Yes, but I had seen Taylor play myself anyway.

“I used to play football with his dad many years ago so I had a chat with him and it went from there.

“It’s a no-brainer for Taylor. He is stepping up a league but I think he will slot straight in.”

Another player joining Margate is winger Troy Howard, who impressed in the Southern Counties East Premier Division last term at Deal.

Drury reckons both are capable of performing in the Isthmian Premier Division.

He said: “Hopefully they can do well and really kick on. I think they did well before in either one league or two leagues below in Troy’s case.

“I’m confident they can step up and make a real impact for us.”

Howard is a product of Margate’s academy and Drury added: “Troy is highly rated by the staff at the club.

“Everyone understands he has the attributes to be a good player at this level.

“He is a good lad and is willing to work hard.

“It fits in what I’m trying to do in terms of getting some good, young players and, hopefully, some experience in the next couple of weeks with it.”

Gate have also signed 15-goal Oluwasemo from Isthmian South East Faversham.

Of Oluwasemo, ex-Whitstable boss Drury said: "Emmanuel scored a lot of goals last year - including the winner against Whitstable!

"I have seen him play three or four times. Hopefully he will give us options up front and out wide."

However, experienced left-back Joe Anderson has retired.

“With Joe, I knew that was happening a couple of weeks ago,” Drury explained.

“He has had a good career at this level. He retires with the club’s best wishes.”

Margate have also completed their pre-season schedule.

They have arranged home matches against Glebe (July 9), Dover (July 16), a Fulham XI (July 20), Tonbridge Angels (July 23) and Ramsgate (July 30), and away games against Sittingbourne (July 12), Ashford (July 26), Chatham (August 2) and Hythe (August 6). Entry to the Glebe game will be free to all supporters.

Drury said: “We have got nine games which I feel should be enough for everyone to get enough game time. Not everyone will play all those games.”