We are delighted to announce that, as well as his responsibilities as First Team Manager, Steve King will also be taking on the role of Director of Football at the club.

With the development of our under 23’s team and now having four youth teams next year in the Kent Youth League this is another important development for the club.

'Kingy' will continue to oversee the development of young players at the Charles Ground and ensure there is a clear pathway for talented local youngsters to progress to First Team football. His role will also include providing support for all the managers and coaches at Deal Town and continue to develop the club’s role in the local footballing community.

Steve has worked with many of the current youth players over a number of years and this work has bore fruit with a number of products of the system representing the First Team this season. Zak Hammond, Morgan Page, Owen Wilkinson, Kaeden Jeffreys, Kye Davison, Dan Gannon and Will Callaghan have all featured in competitive fixtures this season, with Zak and Morgan winning joint 2024/2025 Young Player of the Year.

Commenting on the role, Steve said:

Obviously our main focus is always on the First Team but for us to continue to thrive at that level we must ensure there is a continual flow of quality young players. I have been heavily involved in developing these systems over the last 10 years and look forward to continuing to work with the talented managers, coaches and players we have in our under 23’s and youth teams.

Speaking on the appointment, Chair Natalie Benville commented:

Steve has fully commited to what our beliefs and plans are at the club, and has done from the beginning. It is the right progression as we expand with our new youth teams next season; it allows us to cement the foundations by bringing in a Director of Football. To achieve promotion in 2024 and to finish 7th in our first season at Step 4, is testament to the years of planning. Steve has been instrumental in that; becoming our Director of Football is extremely well deserved.

#COYH