Progress on clubhouse wrangle - now Chichester City need to build a team

A wrangle with Chichester District Council over the lease on their new clubhouse at Oaklands Park is now on the way to being settled.

But they are still without revenue as manager Adie Girdler attempts to put a competitive squad together for the 2011-12 season. Talks are ongoing with the council to secure the lease which will enable the football club to start generating income from the clubhouse.

Last season, as the money dried up, City dropped from the top six to the fringes of the county division one relegation battle, only to survive with a late-season upturn in fortunes.

Chairman Oliver Adnan said: “As a club we are looking forward to what will be a very challenging season for the first team.

“But with the great spirit we now have at the club after many months of difficulty, I am sure we will pull through and finish in a strong position.

“Everyone is looking to forward to the season, having just started pre-season training.

“It is encouraging to see so many new players involved but I recognise it will be difficult for Adie Girdler to pull together a competitive team given the club’s current financial circumstances.

“Our aim this year, which we started last year, is to bring through as many youth-team players as possible, giving them senior football and experience.

“We have some very good FA-qualified coaches so I’ve no doubt we will be able to further develop local community players.”