Luke Blewden and Nicky Wheeler have both left Lewes while Matt Crabb has announced his retirement for a second time.

Sam Crabb and Calum Willock have also been added to the list of departures from the Dripping Pan.

But manager Steve Brown has tied down a number of last season’s squad including Rikki Banks, James Fraser, Henry Muggeridge and Elliott Romain.

Blewden and Wheeler have left the Rooks to join Tonbridge Angels. Sam Cole and Ollie Rowe had already departed to link up with former boss Garry Wilson at Hastings while Gary Elphick has taken over as player/joint-manager at Worthing.

Crabb came out of retirement to help Lewes to reach the Sussex Senior Cup final and stay in Ryman premier last season but has now decided to hang up his boots again.

Youngsters Jordan Badger, George Brown, Josh Marshall and Ronnie Conlon have joined Banks, Fraser, Muggeridge and Romain in agreeing to stay.

New assistant-manager Jay Lovett has been registered as a player while left-back Ronayne Marsh-Brown has joined after playing for Wingate and Finchley and Met Police last season.

Talks are continuing with other members of last season’s squad and potential further signings.

Lewes have added another friendly to their pre-season programme with a Crystal Palace XI visiting the Dripping Pan on Saturday August 1.