No more watching for free...

Mr Lardeur volunteered to pay for a new turnstile to be installed at the Nyewood Lane ground.

His spontaneous gesture at last week's fans' forum was met with a round of applause from his fellow supporters.

The cost is likely to be a few hundred pounds.

Retired Mr Lardeur has been following the Rocks since he moved to Bognor 20 years ago.

His offer arose after it was revealed the club's directors were considering shutting the clubhouse gate at the northern end of the ground.

This is the nearest access from the large car park around the neighbouring sports club.

Committee member Mike Phillips explained the takings from the gate had been consistently dropping in recent seasons. This had led to fears people were either getting in for free or underpaying. They were costing the club about 100 a game in lost revenue.

A turnstile had been obtained by the club about five years ago but had never been installed.

He promised to obtain quotes once Mr Lardeur had offered to help.

Mr Lardeur said the turnstile would have a long-term benefit to the club by ensuring the correct admission price was paid by spectators.

"The forum was a good meeting, which should help the club," he said.

"I think there is still a lot of support in the town for the football club.

"I would have thought there was the possibility of attracting more retired people to games who have moved to the town after watching football elsewhere."

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