Former Deal player Paul Lamb is returning to the club as first team coach.

Lamb ended his long playing career with a spell at Deal before becoming Whitstable’s assistant-manager under Mark Munday last season.

But Lamb left Whitstable when Munday was sacked in March and now Deal manager Derek Hares has persuaded him to return to football at the Charles Ground.

Hares said: "Paul has got an impressive CV. He played in the Conference for Margate and was assistant-boss at Whitstable and we can only benefit from his experience.

"He gained the respect of everybody when he was here before and it’s a big plus for us to have him back."

With the drawn-out merger issue with Deal Town Rangers finally over, Hares is now looking forward to being able to concentrate on footballing matters.

The Deal players began pre-season training on Tuesday and Hares said: "Last season turned into a bit of a nightmare and it hasn’t left the club unscathed financially.

"If it wasn’t for all the fund-raising efforts of the Supporters’ Club, we would be in a difficult position.

"But we have got to start re-building now. I’m optimistic most of last season’s squad will return and will also be looking to make three or four additions."