Coach Darin Kilpatrick has admitted that the Rocks are entering the unknown to a degree as they head into the Vanarama National League South following promotion from the Ryman Premier League last season.
The league campaign starts with the visit off Bath City on August 5. And Kilpatrick, known as ‘Dabba’, says the Rocks won’t change their style of play as they get to grips with the higher standard of opposition.
In a filmed interview following the 2-o defeat at home to Pompey on Saturday, he lifted the lid on all things Rocks, including his influential recruitment role at the club thanks to his position at Chichester College.
Speaking about the season ahead, he revealed he had been monitoring the league in to which the Rocks go: “I’ve kept and eye on it (the league), we’re going into the unknown a little bit. I’ve phone up contacts who have been in it.
“I last managed in the league eight years ago, maybe more, and it has changed a lot since then. For the first three months we will be feeling our way a little but but we won’t change our philosophy. We’ll stay the same, we believe in entertaining the crowd. We won’t change our style of play.”
Bognor, managed by Jack Pearce and with Sami El-Abd in the dug-out, too, continued their pre-season schedule with a 5-2 win in a friendly at Chichester City last night with goals from and Ollie Pearce(2), Jimmy, Wild, James Crane and Jimmy Muitt sealing the victory.
Next they head for Wessex Premier League side Horndean, managed by Rocks legend Michael Birmingham, for more action on Saturday (kick-off 3pm). They host Crawley at the Nye Camp on Wednesday (7.45pm).