Shepherd has returned, from Wick, for his second spell in charge after he guided Wickers to 13th place two years ago, and he said: "A lot of work's gone on around the club, and we now have 100 seats in the main stand. We've got a new committee of football people, and there's also been a lot of painting and tidying up.

"We're also entered in the FA Cup and FA Vase, so things are looking really good. They are as good as they've been for a long time at Southwick, and the club's really been turned around.

"We'd also like to thank King's Manor School for stenciling our club badge around the ground, and we also want to thank the Sports & Social Club, who have been very helpful."

Dominic's father, John, his assistant manager, added: "The club's really come together, and everyone's pulling the same way. We've got some influential people involved on the committee and they all want the best for the football club.

"Everything's really looking up. If we can get the boys really fit, I think we could finish in the top six. Anything above that would be a bonus."

Steve Wotherspoon is the club's new chairman, Eddie Roberson is managing director, and their committee is Terry Pollard, Lin Cobb, Ron Reeve, Jason Goatley and Rick Grumble.

Shepherd's management team is his father, John (assistant), Stuart Kelly-Noakes (coach) and Dean Rahaman (physio).

Dermot McNeil is the Reserves manager, with Paul Tubbs his assistant.
Wickers do not have a Youth side next season, although Dominic Shepherd hopes it will return next year.

Shepherd replaced Jason Rutherford as manager. Ruther-ford, after securing Wickers' senior status last season, quit at the end of the campaign. He has since joined Horsham YMCA as assistant to Chris White.

Rutherford's assistant at Wickers, Lloyd Saunders, is now Reserves manager at YM.

In: Dan Craghill (Ringmer), Nick Green (Steyning), Peter Harrington (Hemel Hempstead), Lee Thompson (Lancing), Ashley Dorrington, John Thomson (both Shoreham), James Wotherspoon, Paul Tubbs.

Out: Ricky Timms, Tony Timms, Wayne Joseph, Jack Hayward (all Horsham YMCA).

SHOREHAM — Mark Burt has taken over as joint-manager with Darren Donnelly, after replacing Fred Proto, at Division 1 Mussels.

Burt said: "We want to finish as high as we can and have a good cup run. We finished the season very flat after we won the John O'Hara Cup last season, so we want to start well.

"I don't like making predictions but a top-six finish would be brilliant."

In: Michael Hunter, Dean Venton (both Southwick), Cameron Johnson, Lol Edwards. Out: None.

MILE OAK — Oak have re-signed key striker Danny Curd and added midfielder Graham Martin from Whitehawk so are targeting a top-three finish in Division 2.

Assistant-manager Dan Towse said: "On the back of last season, when we had a strong second half, we are aiming for promotion. I've been at the club for eight years and this is the best squad we've had in my time here."

Oak's Under-18 team are looking for new players. Anyone interested can contact Mark Newman on 07833 675295.

In: Graham Martin (Whitehawk), Lee Bridge (Lancing). Out: none.

STEYNING — Striker Greg Hearne, who was Town's top scorer in his previous two seasons with the club, has returned from a year of travelling, and boss Mark Dalgleish is looking forward to the upcoming Division 2 campaign.

He said: "We've just got to be more consistent this year, and it would be nice to get off to a good start. Over the years, we've always had inconsistent starts and been playing catch-up. But we've been working hard in training, and I'm looking forward to it all starting again."

In: Martin Rowe (Mile Oak), Greg Hearne (back from travelling), Leo Trower (Upper Beeding), Shaun Pickup (Worthing), Ben Shelford (Wick), Chris Pearson (Shoreham), Andrew Whittingham, Jamie Aldridge, Stuart Anderson, Russell Cheverst.

Out: Tom Pickford (Rustington), Nick Green (Southwick).

County League fixtures — Saturday, Division 1: Arundel v Redhill; Chichester v St Francis; East Grinstead v Selsey; East Preston v Hassocks; Horsham YMCA v Hailsham; Oakwood v Pagham; Ringmer v Shoreham; Three Bridges v Eastbourne UA; Whitehawk v Wick; Worthing United v Lingfield.
Div 2: Crawley Down v Midhurst; Lancing v Bexhill; Loxwood v Sidley; Sidlesham v Peacehaven; Southwick v Rye; Steyning v Seaford; Storrington v Mile Oak; Wealden v Rustington; Westfield v Littlehampton.

Tuesday — Division 1: Arundel v Horsham YMCA; Eastbourne UA v Ringmer; Hailsham v Hassocks; Pagham v East Preston; Redhill v East Grinstead; Selsey v Chichester; Shoreham v Whitehawk; Three Bridges v Lingfield; Wick v Worthing United. Div 2: Crawley Down v Mile Oak; Lancing v Peacehaven; Southwick v Steyning; Wealden v Seaford.

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