Ex-Gill White boosts Sidley

THE playing side of things at Sidley United is beginning to bear a settled look after the toings and froings of the past few weeks.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jul 2004, 15:17 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:09 BST

Most of last season's squad have pledged themselves once again with the exception of Wes Tate and Mark Funnell (gone to Bexhill United), Liam Barham (Eastbourne Town), Adam Day (Little Common), Chris Copley and Craig Ottley, whom joint manager Andy Laskey has been unable to contact.

On the plus side former St Leonards legend Keith Miles, a United target since this time last year, has put pen to paper at Gullivers and Laskey is hoping to pin down Mickey O'Callaghan, who played for the club five years ago and "has been the best player on the pitch by a mile in both (friendly) games so far".

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Former favourite Wayne Farrier made a surprise appearance in the 2-1 reverse at Sussex Division Two outfit Seaford on Saturday but hasn't signed while Steve Morris made his first appearance for around 15 months following injury, and scored, in the 4-4 draw at Division Three Uckfield Town on Tuesday night.

But perhaps the best news of all is the retention of Ben White. Laskey admits The Blues "are lucky to have" the former Gillingham powerhouse who, along with Miles, also found the net at Uckfield.

Sidley, whose reserves shared a 1-1 draw at Seaford with Mark Lynch on target, are due to continue their friendly programme with a visit to Lydd on Saturday July 31 before a another trip to Uckfield on Tuesday.

Opening fixtures (subject to alteration) - first team: August 14 Horsham YMCA (a) 3pm; August 17 Ringmer (a) 7.30pm; August 21 Hassocks (a) 3pm; August 28 East Preston (a) 3pm; August 31 Whitehawk (a) RUR Cup 1st round, 7.45pm; September 4 Wealden (a) John O'Hara Cup 1st round, 3pm; September 25 Moneyfields (a) 3pm; October 9 Worthing Utd (h) 3pm; October 12 Eastbourne United Association (a) Sussex Senior Cup 1st round, 7.45pm; December 27 Rye & Iden Utd (h) 11am; March 28 Rye & Iden Utd (a) 11am.

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Second team: August 14 Oakwood (a) 3pm; August 20 Hassocks (a) 7.45pm; August 28 East Preston (a) 4pm; August 30 Whitehawk (a) 11am.

Bexhill United, meanwhile, are little wiser as to the destinations of their early treks after just two of their fixtures were announced. They open up their Sussex Division Three campaign on August 21 at Storrington and their only other fixture so far is at Forest on October 9. Their seconds launch their Reserve Section East season at Crawley Down, also on August 21.

Related topics:Bexhill UnitedSidley