A new season at ‘the Lane’

16th July 2010

Once again, a new season beckons. What will it hold for the Rocks?

April’s incredibly punishing run-in (six away games in ten days!) ultimately proved too much for an improving young side who at one point were climbing the table and looking as if they might just pull-off the great escape. However, it wasn’t to be; the Rocks eventually finished bottom of the Ryman Premier and so suffered a second successive relegation. As a result, we find ourselves back in the lower reaches of the Ryman League for the 2010-11 campaign, which kicks off on August 21st.

On a positive note, it looks as if, for the first time in three seasons, the Rocks will start the new season with a reasonably settled squad. Inspirational club captain Mickey Birmingham is back, as are team captain James Crane, Richie Hudson, Charlie Marshall, Jason Prior and Matt Wood. Tim Bond and Mickey Demetriou could also return, though all three have other possible irons in the fire. And we may also welcome back four (yes, four!) former Nyewood Lane favourites from our Conference South days.

Goalkeeper Craig Stoner, forward Luke Nightingale and defender David Piper are definitely back and the word is that they could be joined by Ben Johnson. New signings are anticipated too, with Stuart Axten and Matt Whitehead (ex Worthing), Callum Saunders and Clive Snell (ex Peacehaven) Phil Turner (ex Wick) and centre-back Will Sturgeon (recently returned from the States) all training with Rocks and expected to feature at some point in the opening friendly, against Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday 16th July.

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