Burvill joins Ringmer

THE dust is beginning to settle over The Caburn.

THE dust is beginning to settle over The Caburn. After a summer-long scramble for the door, which has seen a stream of players and a manager exit stage left, the swift appointment of former Saltdean and Newhaven supremo Glen Burvill just may be the tonic required to calm the nerves of a club in crisis. Burvill arrived in time to view his prospective charges in a warm-up game against Franklands Village which ended in an amicable 2-2 draw.

It has been another traumatic chapter in the annals of Ringmer Football Club. Just as everything seemed in place to end a 30-year trophy-free spell, the rug was yanked from under their feet yet again. The resignation of Glen Geard last week rekindled the nightmare of '99 when similar action from then boss Gary Allen, on the eve of the new season, triggered some of the darkest days in the club's recent past.

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The arrival of Geard two summers ago was meant to be the rebirth of the sleeping giant as some of the county's biggest names strode in through the Caburn gates. But, having failed by a whisker to capture any silverware last term, those same itchy-footed players have downed tools and turned their backs on The Blues. The domino effect started when captain and Player of the Year Glenn Davies, along with fellow award winner Damion Dobbyn and 30-goal striker Shaun Grice, were all lured away by the dollar offered up by Withdean 2000.

The ambitious Brighton side soon beckoned Spencer Mears and Sussex rep Kevin Townsend to the Combined Counties League to join a number of other high profile signings.

Sensing a free-for-all, other sides waded in to plunder Ringmer's treasure with top scorer Tony Holden, the hugely promising Graham Martin and Stuart Garrod opting to return to their native Southwick. Joining the list of departees were Matt Geard, to Albion, Chris Johnson who once again links up with his twin brother Andy at St Leonards and Darren Longley who put pen to paper at Wealden.

Unable to attract any new blood to implement his plans, it left Geard no option but to resign. Coach Lee Cox initially agreed to stay and fight for the Ringmer cause, but now he too has absconded to The Wickers.

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Burvill has named Adam Brown as his No 2, a fellow at home in Ringmer having fulfilled the role for much of last season. Steve Bean is also remaining at the club to restore the links forged with Burvill at Hill Park. Bean marshalled events on Tuesday evening, having brought in Terry Costello, Aaron MacMillan, James Fensome and Sam Assiffi from his Tiger days.

Tom Holden returned from Peacehaven to captain the side which also contained the talents of Peter Montgomery and Geoff Ward, and those who have survived the pre-season madness include Grant Bean and Chris Howarth.

Burvill will be on holiday for the start of Ringmer's campaign which begins on August 10 but already his presence has led many to believe that Ringmer's 13th season in Division One will not be unlucky for some.

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