A Big Bostik Pre-Season- Part 4: Shoreham to Worthing

By Ian Townsend

The final part of our guide to the Bostik League Pre-Season fixtures

We continue with the final part of our guide to the Bostik League Pre-Season schedule, our attempt to provide all of you who have been suffering from football withdrawal symptoms with an A to Worthing guide of the forthcoming action.

This guide features all the matches currently published on the websites of our member clubs. You can also find a list of fixtures in date order listed on our fixture page.
Bostik League fixtures for the forthcoming season will be announced on 13th July.

Shoreham: The Musselmen have had little time to prepare for the new season, being confirmed as promoted only a fortnight ago after SCFL Champions Haywards Heath were deducted points for fielding an ineligible player. New manager Sammy Donnelly, who joined the club in mid May, continues to build his squad for their first season in Bostik South. Earlier this week had fourteen players signed up and ready to go. Fixtures: Tues 11 July, Pagham (outside training pitch, 1900); Sat 15 July, Steyning Town (A); Tues 25 July, Worthing Utd (A); Sat 29 July, Witham Town (H).

Sittingbourne: Sittingbourne will be looking to kick on from last season’s fifteenth place, and have brought in striker/midfielder Miles Cornwall from Folkestone Invicta and Canterbury City keeper Daren Hawkes to help them progress. They start their pre-season with a testimonial match for Hicham Akhazzan, Chatham Town the visitors. Fixtures: Sat July 15, Chatham Town (H); Tues 18 July, Whitstable Town (A); Sat 22 July, Tilbury (H); Tues 25 July, Welling Town (A); Sat 29 July, Sheppey Utd (A); Thurs 3 August, Borden Village (H); Sat 5 August, Grays Athletic (TBC).

Soham Town Rangers: Rangers have lost five players from last season’s squad, so managerial duo Rob Mason and Erkan Okay have a rebuilding job to do. They have, however, already signed former Cambridge Utd, Notts County and Luton Town defender Dan Gleeson. Fixtures: Tues 11 July, Yaxley (A); Fri 15 July, St Ives Town (A); Sat 22 July, Rothwell Corinthians (A); Tues 25 July, Newmarket Town (A); Sat 29 July, Royston Town (H); Tues 1 August, Stotfold (H); Sat 5 August, Chasetown (H).

South Park: Reigate’s finest, who would like to point out once and for all that they certainly did not kill Kenny, are boosted by the appointment of Chris McGinn- Head of Coaching at Leyton Orient- as first team coach. Looking to build on their best ever league finish last term, they have lined up eight pre-season games. Fixtures: Sat 15 July, Corinthian (A); Tues 18 July, Colliers Wood (A); Sat 22 July, Lancing (A); Tues 25 July, East Thurrock United (H); Sat 29 July, Kingstonian (H); Tues 1 August, Merstham (H); Sat 5 August, Ashford Town (H); Tues 8 August, Egham Town (H).

Staines Town: The Swans, who ended last season in a comfortable 12th place in the Premier Division, have boosted their attacking options with the return of Elliott Buchanan. Manager Johnson Hippolyte, who has retained the bulk of last year’s squad, has also added Ben Martin and Lewis Driver as they approach the new season with confidence. Fixtures: Tues 11 July, Bedfont Sports (A- 1930); Sat 15 July, Maidenhead Utd (H); Tues 18 July, Aldershot Town (H- 1930); Sat 22 July, Hungerford Town (H); Tues 25 July, Aylesbury (A); Sat 29 July, Chertsey Town (A); Tues 1 August, Uxbridge (A); Sat 5 August, Marlow (A).

Thamesmead Town: Newly moved across to Bostik South for the new season, The Mead are moving to Dartford FC’s Princes Park for the new campaign (look out for the large wooden man holding up the terrace roof). Be sure to buy a programme- Jamie Barwick and Mike Green won an award for the best matchday mag in the North Division last season. Fixtures: Sat 15 July, Tonbridge Angels (H); Tues 18 July, Rochester Utd (A); Tues 25 July, Cray Valley (A); Sat 29 July, Dartford (H); Sat 5 August, Folkestone Invicta (A).

Thurrock: The club have added Dennis Oli and Lewwis Spence to the squad that won promotion from the North Division last season, and have lined up a strong pre-season programme. Fixtures: Sat 8 July, Southend Manor (A), Tues 18 July, Dagenham & Redbridge XI (H); Sat 22 July, Chelmsford City (H); Wed 26 July, Southend Utd XI (H); Sat 29 July, Romford (A); Tues 1 August, Bishop’s Stortford (H); Sat 5 August, Heybridge Swifts (A); Tues 8 August, Colchester Utd U23’s (H).

Tilbury: Few squad changes have been reported by The Dockers during the summer, but the club has recently been rocked by the tragic death of former player Kevin Malthouse. Highlights of pre-season are the visit of Brightlingsea Regent and a trip to East Thurrock. Fixtures: Sat 8 July, Redbridge (A-1545); Tues 11 July, Basildon Utd (A-1900); Sat 15 July, Hythe Town (A); Tues 18 July, Phoenix Sports (A); Thurs 20 July, Great Wakering Rovers (A); Sat 22 July, Sittingbourne (A); Tues 25 July, Grays Athletic (H); Sat 29 July, Hollands & Blair (H); Tues 1 August, East Thurrock Utd (A); Fri 4 August, Brightlingsea Regent (H).

Tonbridge Angels: Winners of the Premier Divisions Community Club of the Year award, Angels narrowly missed out on the play-offs last campaign and will be looking to make sure they at least clinch a spot in the end of season finale this time around. New signing Craig Stone, who joined from Eastbourne Borough, augments an already strong squad. Fixtures: Tues 11 July, Ebsfleet Utd (H); Sat 15 July, Thamesmead Town (A); Tues 18 July, Concord Rangers (H); Sat 22 July, Phoenix Sports (A); Sat 29 July, Whyteleafe (H); Tues 1 August, Chipstead (A- 1930); Sat 5 August, Slough Town (H).

Tooting & Mitcham United: Manager Frank Wilson, who deservedly picked up the South Division Manager of the Season award last month, has worked wonders in turning United from mid table pretenders to last years outstanding team, and must be confident as the Terrors face the new season in the Premier Division. Fixtures: Sat 15 July, Slough Town (A); Sat 22 July, Hartley Witney (H- 1230); Tues 25 July, VCD Athletic (A); Sat 29 July, Carshalton Athletic (H); Sat 5 August, East Grinstead Town (A).

VCD Athletic: VCD, who- by the way- are advertising an evening with Ray Parlour on 22nd September, will be lining up in Bostik South this season after finishing fifteenth in the North Division last campaign. Fixtures: Tues 11 July, Maidstone Utd (H); Sat 15 July, Kingstonian (H); Tues 18 July, Welling Utd (H); Sat 22 July, AFC Hornchurch (H); Tues 25 July, Tooting & Mitcham Utd (H); Sat 29 July, Welling Town (A); Tues 1 August, Grays Athletic (H); Sat 5 August, Hendon (H)

Waltham Abbey: The Abbotts, who by the way are looking for someone to look after their website and social media, seem to have a settled squad. Oh, and their pictures of the pitch suggest it’s been grown by Carpetright! Fixtures: Sat 15 July, Barkingside (A); Sat 22 July, Takeley (A); Tues 25 July, Hoddesdon Town (A); Sat 5 August, Faversham Town (H); Tues 8 August, Manford Way (A).

Walton Casuals: Casuals, who have just confirmed Daryl Coleman as club captain for the new season, will certainly be testing the fitness of their squad over the coming weeks, having announced ten pre-season fixtures! Fixtures: Sat 8 July, Sevenoaks Town (H-1510); Tues 11 July, Guildford City (A); Sat 15 July, Westfield (H-1510); Tues 18 July, Fisher (A- 1930); Thurs 20 July, Chertsey Town (A); Sat 22 July, Three Bridges (H-1510); Tues 25 July, Hartley Wintney (A-1930); Thurs 27 July, Hounselow Utd (A-1930); Sat 29 July, Epsom & Ewell (H-1510); Tues 1 August, Abbey Rangers (A).

Ware: Ware have retained the bulk of last seasons squad, but notably have added Yannick Kamanan, formerly of Strasbourg, Dijon, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Sivasspor. Looking at their list of fixtures, it’s clear that home is Ware the heart is (sorry. I’m here all week). Fixtures- all home: Sat 15 July, Crawley Green; Tues 18 July, Harlow Town; Sat 22 July, St Margaretsbury; Tues 25 July, Biggleswade Utd; Sat 29 July, Erith and Belvedere; Tues 1 August, Hemel Hempstead Town.

Whyteleafe: The Leafe, who ended last season in great form, will be hoping to carry over that belief into the new campaign. By the way, they are looking for a kitman, if you think you might be able to help! Fixtures: Sat 8 July, Loxwood (H); Tues 11 July, Lingfield (H); Fri 14 July, Beaconsfield Town (H); Tues 18 July Merstham (H); Sat 22 July Farnborough (H); Tues 25 July, Kingstonian (H); Sat 29 July, Tonbridge Angels (A); Sat 5 August, Witham Town (H).

Wingate & Finchley: The Blues were last seasons surprise package in the Premier Division, grabbing the last play-off place. You can be sure that nobody is likely to underestimate them during the forthcoming campaign, and the side has been strengthened with the capture of former Wealdstone captain Wes Parker. Fixtures: Sat 8 July, Welwyn Garden City, (N- Barnet Lane Training Centre); Tues 11 July, Potters Bar (N- Barnet Lane Training Centre); Sat 15 July, Haringey Borough (A); Tues 18 July, Borehamwood (H); Sat 22 July, Woking (H); Tues 25 July, Hertford Town (A); Sat 29 July, Hanwell Town (A); Tues 1 August, Cheshunt (A); Sat 5 August, Royston Town (H- 1600).

Witham Town: Home of Ryman League fan of the year James Beardswell (interview here next week), Witham are playing almost every pre-season match away from home. On the bright side, James loves to travel! Fixtures- all away except Braintree: Sat 15 July, FC Clacton -1400; Tues 18 July; Great Wakering Rovers; Sat 22 July, Halstead Town; Sat 29 July, Shoreham; Wed 2 August, Braintree Town Academy; Sat 5 August, Whyteleafe.

Worthing: The Rebels had a season of two halves, brilliant before January and struggling after it, eventually finishing in 14th position. Manager Gary Elphick has made a number of shrewd signings during the summer, and has teenage striker Ben Pope- missing due to injury for all of last season- back and firing once more. Fixtures: Sat 8 July, Bognor Regis Town (H); Sat 15 July, Whitehawk (A); Fri 21 July, Eastbourne Borough (A); Tues 25 July, Lewes (H); Sat 29 July, Horsham (H); Tues 1 August, Forest Green Rovers (H); Sat 5 August, Hastings Utd (A)

1500 Saturdays and 1945 weekdays, unless stated.

Where next?

The Bostik Friday Interview: George Dowell, Worthing FC In the first of our Bostik Friday Interviews, we speak to Worthing owner and chair George Dowell- on five-year plans, community engagement, 164% attendance rises and feeding the Forest Green masses...
A Big Bostik Pre-Season- Part 3: Kingstonian to Romford Part 3 of our guide to the Bostik League Pre-Season schedule

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