Rikki Banks has pledged his future to Lewes and manager Steve Ibbitson expects other senior players to follow suit.
Goalkeeper Banks has agreed to sign on again for the Rooks, despite their on-going financial problems.
The news comes as a huge boost to Ibbitson (pictured), who says he has verbal agreements from eight other players who want to play for the club in Blue Square South next season.
Danny Cullip is the only player still under contract but other senior players including Joe Keehan, Anthony Barness and Chris Breach are expected to follow Banks’ lead.
David Wheeler has also indicated he will be staying but Stefan Cox has left the club and Sam Fisk is trying his luck with Blue Square Premier neighbours Eastbourne Borough.
Former Crystal Palace scholar Banks was the manager’s player of the season last year, his first full season at that level, and Ibbitson is delighted he is staying.
Despite the concerns about the lack of players signed on, Ibbitson believes he is close to finalising his squad.
The club are still waiting for news whether they will be allowed to repay tax debts to HM Customs and Excise in staged repayments but Ibbitson is hopeful they will get the news they want.
Wheeler, Ryan Timms and Ryan Storrie are expected to re-sign while other youngsters such as Fred Foreman, Jack Walder and Jay Tidey who have been training with a view to signing.
Ibbitson also hopes to complete the signings of Worthing’s Scott Kirkwood and Sam Crabb, who played for Eastbourne United Association last year but was dual-signed with Eastbourne Borough.
