Bognor defender gives stark verdict on importance of fans in grounds

We need our fans: Keaton Wood in action in the behind-closed-doors friendly at Selsey / Picture: Tommy McMillan

Although supporters are gradually coming back to football, capacities are limited and there are worries fans could be barred again if Covid-19 infection rates rise.

Wood says Bognor needs to acclimatise to the new conditions, insisting the Rocks squad benefit from a lively atmosphere.

He said: “We’ve come back into pre-season and we’ve not lost a game. Whether that’ll maintain in the league is different, because it’ll take some getting used to without fans there.

“We’re a side that thrives under that pressure, so it’s going to be a challenge without an atmosphere. Football really needs its fans back.”

Wood, who will be in a new-look Rocks line-up for the league opener, believes fans are crucial to his own performance, saying he responds well to shouts, positive or negative.

“Lots of players talk about blocking the crowds out, but I like to take it all in. If the fans are on our backs, that lets me know we’ve got to turn things around,” Wood explained.

“Sometimes crowds can be a little tough on you – rightly so because they pay money to come and watch us – but they can also give you that boost you need in difficult moments.”

The Rocks aim to reach the Isthmian premier play-offs as a minimum expectation – but also want some cup success. They visit Surrey side South Park in the FA Cup’s first qualifying round on Tuesday.

Wood said the players were keen for a lucrative cup run. “Our focus this year is 50/50 between the league and the cups. The FA Cup tie has been

mentioned as an important focus in the next few weeks,” he said.

“The club were really supportive with furlough if we needed it, so we see it as our moral obligation to do well. Jack [Pearce] and Robbie [Blake] have put no pressure on us. For them, our responsibility is to play, not to earn money for the club.”

Bognor’s aspirations have been dented by a long injury list and Wood suggested lockdown was a factor.

“These sorts of things tend to happen in pre-season. However, when you add that to us not training for so long, it’d be naïve to suggest that lockdown hasn’t made an impact.”