Di Paola: Players all deserve Ryman League shot

Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola hopes he can keep the majority of his team together as they '˜deserve a shot' at the Ryman League.
Football Horsham Manager Dominic Di Paola. 02-04-16. SR1609620  Pic Steve Robards SUS-160404-111145001Football Horsham Manager Dominic Di Paola. 02-04-16. SR1609620  Pic Steve Robards SUS-160404-111145001
Football Horsham Manager Dominic Di Paola. 02-04-16. SR1609620 Pic Steve Robards SUS-160404-111145001

The Hornets await their fate when the constitutions are sorted in May, but the club has had no suggestion to consider they will not be promoted.

The Southern Combination League champions are expected to return to the South Division.

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Di Paola was denied the chance to take East Preston up two years ago, due to ground grading rules and then had a short reign at Hastings United the following season.

Horsham have said they’ve been told there wouldn’t be anything to prevent them from being promoted, despite having only one season left to groundshare at Gorings Mead.

Di Paola said: “I am looking forward to a few weeks off, but I will probably start missing it after two weeks. We have started to think about pre-season games and at the end of May will start talking to players, it does not really stop.

“There has been no indication that we can’t go up. The hard work starts then to make a team that is competitive and gives us a chance not to struggle, that is all I want and the club wants.

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“A couple of players came to us as they didn’t want to play Ryman League, so that is my concern with them, but a lot in the team deserve a go and a crack at it.

“In an ideal world, I would like to speak to them all and suss out what we have got, it’ll be a big challenge and big ask.”

On the players, Di Paola added: “I’d like to think their word is enough, but circumstances change and you never know in football.

“I would love most to stay and give it a go and if they did I am sure we would be okay, if they do go, we can rebuild as we have done it before.”

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