Boss Reece Prestedge wants Phil Roberts’ new player-coach role to help give Margate’s strikers more of an identity - with another two attackers joining this week.

Gate revealed last Thursday one-time Arsenal, Falkirk, Dartford and Welling man Roberts, 29, has extended his Hartsdown Park stay for the 2023/24 season and will also take up a role alongside Prestedge and player-assistant Ben Greenhalgh.

Prestedge said: “Robbo was quite a key part in the changeover last year.

“I know he didn’t get as many goals as he would have liked. He has taken up a bit of a coaching role with the strikers as well.

“Hopefully, he does what he did last year - or even better - and gives the strikers a bit more of an identity.”

As well as still offering plenty on the pitch, Roberts adds to Gate’s backroom staff which already includes Prestedge, Greenhalgh and first-team coach Elliot Leveson.

“Last year, I had Elliot on the side,” said Prestedge. “He’s a young coach but quite knowledgeable.

“It’s always nice to have someone to bounce ideas off.

“Me and Ben have known Robbo for a while and knew coaching was always something he wanted to do.

“We just felt now was the right time for him to be part of it.”

That news came before Isthmian Premier Margate added experienced hitman Steve Cawley to their ranks and re-signed midfielder Montel Agyemang, as well as recruiting former Dover Athletic, Tonbridge Angels and Herne Bay player Roberto Ratti.

Agyemang spent a year with Gate previously but moved to league rivals Billericay last year.

On the return of 26-year-old Agyemang, who started out at Leyton Orient, Prestedge said: “That’s part of the reason we wanted to bring him in, not only for his ability and stuff like that but, also, the fans loved him.

“He had a good season at Billericay.”

But leaving Gate are defenders Freddy Barton and Sinn’Kaye Christie.

Prestedge explained: “We wanted to keep them around, if I’m honest. We have had many conversations but, unfortunately, it was something I couldn’t do.

“It got to the stage where we needed to utilise our money elsewhere.”

Even with the duo having left, Margate’s new-look squad is close to where 37-year-old Prestedge wants it to be.

On what he’s still after this summer, he said: “It would just be a left-back and maybe some sort of left-wing cover.

“Then, we will have to look at some defensive cover.

“But at the moment we’re just talking to certain players.

“Hopefully, we can get a few more over the line this week.”