Ibbo is to stay on as Rooks first team coach
LONG-SUFFERING Lewes fans will be boosted by the news that Steve Ibbitson has agreed to stay on as first team manager.
Fans favourite Ibbitson and coach Jason Hopkinson, who took over at the Dripping Pan for the final 10 games of last season, will continue their preparations for the new season to help create a more positive attitude to the club over the summer.
In a club statement Ibbitson called for the club to sort out its well documented financial issues and said it was up to the players to give the fans a reason to come through the turnstiles each week.
He said, "We have debts that we need to deal with and that is obviously going to affect the budget.
"People need to know that but it also means that we and the squad we gather will have to be prepared to work that bit harder, be that bit more organised, and be as innovative as we can for the club and for the supporters.
"We need the supporters to get behind us but we in turn need to give them reasons to keep coming to watch."
The former Under 18s management pair have already been talking to players for next season, including a number of existing first team and youth players, as well as a number of potential new signings.
Pre-season friendly dates have also been announced – The Rooks will play Eastbourne Borough at the Dripping Pan on July 21, and play two away games against Eastbourne Town and Carshalton, with at least one more expected to be arranged.
Having said to the Sussex Express at the end of last season he felt he was not the right man to lead Lewes, Ibbitson's decision is likely to be influenced by the unanimous backing he has received from fans, players and officials alike.
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Weather for Lewes
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
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Wind direction: North east
