A Horndean Hello!

By Jonny Bray

Horndean chairman Mick Catlin wants to keep honouring the memory of his predecessor David Sagar as the newly-promoted club prepare for a step into the unknown.

Sagar passed away in December 2022 but his death united The Deans and inspired them to promotion to the Pitching In Isthmian League for the first time in their history.

Catlin stepped up to the plate in the club's hour of need, taking on the role as chairman having previously been the director of football at Five Heads Park.

And he believes Sagar's passing after 15 years as Chairman and Secretary brought everybody at the club together in the second half of last season.

"It certainly acted as a motivating factor," said the former Gosport Borough and AFC Portchester manager. "We wanted to achieve our aims in his memory because he had worked at the club for many years and his aim, as with everybody else, was to win the league and get promoted.

"It is just unfortunate that he was not there to see it at the end, but it was definitely a driver for everyone at the club when we found out he was ill and then when we found out how serious it was.

"Once he passed away we wanted to achieve that goal. We felt like he was there behind it and driving us on.”

Catlin carved out an impressive career as a player in non-league football before turning his attention to management.

He spent nine years as assistant manager and manager at Gosport Borough, with the club reaching the FA Trophy final at Wembley during his time at the club.

However, after being sacked as manager AFC Portchester after four years, Catlin swapped the dugout for the director's box and is one of a hardy band of volunteers who keep the club going behind the scenes.

"After leaving Portchester, I felt a bit disillusioned with football management," he added.

"Michael Birmingham [Horndean manager] is a good friend of mine and asked if I was going to stay in football.

"At the time, I did not really have any intention of getting back into management and he was looking for a link between the playing side and the chairman.

"Horndean was a club I knew really well. I still had a lot of friends there from over the years and one of my best mates runs the bar.

"At first it was quite difficult because I was used to being in the dugout dealing with the players and stuff like that, but it has been great so far.

"Obviously, we are all excited about being at this level now and we can’t wait to get started."

Find volunteering opportunities at your local club by visiting
https://pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk/

Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head here or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.