Sussex County Football League Division 2 preview

THE Division 2 season gets underway on Saturday. Our local sides’ managers look at the upcoming campaign and give their aims for the season.
Mark O'Regan (yellow shirt) has joined Mile OakMark O'Regan (yellow shirt) has joined Mile Oak
Mark O'Regan (yellow shirt) has joined Mile Oak

MILE OAK

Manager: Anthony Whittington.

Aims, Whittington: “We’ll just look to do better than last year, when we finished seventh. It’s a bit disappointing to lose Lloyd Skinner and Dave Marsh but we’ll be trying to finish in the top six.”

Players in: Mark O’Regan, Stuart Garrod (both Southwick).

Players out: Paul Eaton (retired), Lloyd Skinner (Worthing), Dave Marsh.

Last season: 7th in Div 2.

RUSTINGTON

Manager: Stuart Maltman.

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Aims, Maltman: “Rustington finished second from bottom last season, so we’re just looking to improve on that and take each game as it comes.

“Although we’re not going to win the league, we’ve got to be optimistic and we’ll go in to every game looking to win.

“I haven’t set any targets but I’m pretty confident that we won’t be in the bottom five.”

Players in: Chad Milner, Arron Farrier (both Worthing United), Tom Lyne, Kieran Gillard, Scott Banfield (all Ferring), Dan Rahaman (Worthing United), Jack Bonetti.

Out: Andy Boxall (retired), Chris Darwin (Arundel).

Last season: 17th in Div 2.

STEYNING TOWN

Manager: John Suter.

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Aims, Suter: “From the desperate situation the club was in a couple of years ago, they have made decent progress in those two years and it would be nice to carry that on.

“I am just looking to do well and for the lads to do well, they have worked ever-so-hard in pre-season and I have been very impressed with them.”

Sam Gritt suffered a triple fracture of a leg last Tuesday after landing badly, following a tackle in a friendly.

Last year’s captain Alex Gathern is in America until mid-August, while Craig Knowles, after joining Burgess Hill, has now dual-signed with Town.

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Players in: Sam Gritt, Alfie Gritt, Ashley Finch, Matt Dodd (all East Preston), Mo Shuga’a (Oakwood), Sean Pickup, Cieran Towse (both Upper Beeding), Mayowa Williams (Ringmer), Omar Bukleb (Burgess Hill youth), John Skilton, Sam Partridge.

Players out: Ryan De Freitas.

Last season: 10th in Div 2.

STORRINGTON

Manager: Nigel Dyer.

Aims, Dyer: “We’ve lost three big players from last season but I’m pleased that nearly all have stayed.

“We’ve got a few good younger players in to build for the future and I’m hoping to add a couple more.

“With finishing last season well, we will be looking to continue where we left off and, hopefully, have a better finish than last season.”

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Paul Read, who was manager of Worthing League side AFC Boundstone, is the new reserve manager.

Adam Bardouleau is the new under-18 manager, with Ollie Setchell his assistant.

Players in: Ash Minter, Simon Corona (both Ferring), Ellis McWilton (Worthing United), Joe Howard (Lancing), Jake Norris (AFC Boundstone), Jack Reeder (Broadbridge Heath), Ryan Quirke, Harry Jarrett, Michael Hemsley, Guy Strudwick.

Players out: Liam Humphreys (Littlehampton), Ali Giammattei, Matt Chester.

Last season: 13th in Div 2.

WICK & BARNHAM UTD

Manager: Jon Tucker.

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Aims, Tucker: “I’m always ambitious and, with the side we have got together, I’d like to think we can get in the top six.

“Anything on top of that would be a bonus and it would be nice to have a cup run as well.”

This is the first season of Wick & Barnham United after the two clubs merged in the summer.

Players in: Kerry Hardwell, Nathan Parke (both Clymping), Sam Rumble (Littlehampton), plus all of Barnham’s squad last year apart from Ash Harper.

Players out: Kieran Urquhart (Selsey), Michael Frangou.

Last season: 16th in Div 2.