Suckling returns to helm as new chairman

Former Crawley Down Gatwick chairman Brian Suckling is back in the Ryman League at the helm of Peacehaven & Telscombe.

Subject to passing the FA's 'Owners and Directors' test, Suckling, pictured, replaced former chairman Andrew Melbourne at the Sports Park on Friday and immediately vowed to ensure the ground passes muster before March's ground-grading deadline for the Ryman's top flight clubs.

Melbourne, who took over at the start of the season following the club's promotion to the Ryman's Premier as Ryman South champions, cited his business and personal circumstances for no longer being able carry on in the role.

Melbourne’s decision followed the departure of manager Shaun Saunders earlier in the week. He also stood down for personal and family reasons and was succeeded by first-team coach Tony Coade.

Suckling spent fifteen years in a similar role at the Anvils, masterminding their rise from the lower reaches of the Sussex County League to their highest ever level in Ryman South.

During his tenure, he oversaw the required ground improvements at the Haven to climb Non-League's pyramid before relegation last season saw the club rejoin the Sussex County League.

In a statement on the club's website ahead of Saturday's trip to Margate in the Ryman Premier, Suckling also made it clear both Melbourne and Saunders would still be involved at the club.

He said: "Both Andrew and Shaun will still be very much involved in this club and I see my role as pulling all those efforts and goodwill together and focusing in on the challenges ahead.

"It will be my ambition to make sure the facilities are up to a level to secure our position at this level of football. We will do everything we can to make that happen."

He added: "This is the first time the club has competed at this level and we are not going to let it go without a big battle."

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