Aiming high, but feet firmly on the ground….

6.15pm 17th July 2010

Early days yet, but the 2010-11 squad is taking shape and looks to have more than enough class and experience to hold its own in Division One South. So can the Rocks go one better this term and win promotion back to the Ryman Premier? Actually, as our old friends over at Worthing have discovered (and as Jamie H knows from his Burgess Hill days), this is a very tough Division to play in - and a harder one to win. If Rebels fans are to be believed, we are about to enter a world of physical, route one football, played at ninety miles an hour, over bumpy pitches unsullied by any prolonged contact with the ball. (Yes, you’re right. It does sound just like Aveley.)

In truth, there probably isn’t that big a difference between the two divisions. Anyway, after back-to-back relegations, the Rocks first priority this term ought surely to be to stop the slide down the leagues and consolidate at this level. Promotion? Well, a late run for the play-offs would be a nice bonus if it happens but, after witnessing those two relegations, most Rocks supporters would probably be glad to settle for the safety of mid-table – and maybe a bit of Cup run? So too, it seems, would the management team. Dabba and Jamie have been quick to play down any talk of promotion in the press or among the Nyewood Lane faithful. The fact is that, although the club’s financial position is now reasonably stable, the two men will again be working with one of the smaller playing budgets in the Division, so consolidation at this level will constitute a real achievement.

Actually, whether we’re promotion contenders or not, there’s quite a lot to look-forward to this term, including a string of Sussex derbies against the likes of Burgess Hill Town, Eastbourne Town, Horsham YMCA, newly-promoted Whitehawk and the ‘old enemy’ Worthing. Our lowly league status also means an earlier start to our FA Cup and FA Trophy campaigns - and recently-announced home draws in both competitions should hopefully give us an opportunity to get a little much-needed prize money into the coffers. In the Cup we start with a home tie against East Preston or Ringmer, with the winners at home to Ryman Premier outfit Hastings United (so one or two more Sussex derbies in prospect). By contrast, the first two rounds of the Trophy pit us against sides from Surrey; victory over Div 1 South rivals Whyteleafe at Nyewood Lane would give us another home tie, this time against newly-promoted Croydon Athletic, last season’s champions of Division 1 South.

All in all, then, it promises to be a fascinating season and whilst promotion may be too much to ask, there’s nothing wrong with aiming high – just so long as you keep your feet (and, occasionally, the ball) on the ground.

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