Bognor star: We believe we can win the Isthmian premier title

Bognor’s aim for 2021 is to win the Isthmian premier title – and they are ready to return to action at a moment’s notice.
Ashton Leigh says there is huge belief in the Rocks squad - but they are anxious to get the season restarted / Picture: Lyn PhillipsAshton Leigh says there is huge belief in the Rocks squad - but they are anxious to get the season restarted / Picture: Lyn Phillips
Ashton Leigh says there is huge belief in the Rocks squad - but they are anxious to get the season restarted / Picture: Lyn Phillips

That’s the view of one of their stars of the season so far, Ashton Leigh, even though he admits the latest lockdown has disrupted their rhythm.

Bognor have not played since the FA Trophy defeat to Maldon & Tiptree on December 15 and there’s no date yet for the Isthmian restart.

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Bognor were in fine form before the national November lockdown, winning four successive home games and Leigh said: ‘We obviously want the league up and running as quickly as possible because we were on fire before and turning teams over for fun.

“Everyone came to the Lane and really feared us. But ever since the stop-start football, it’s been really hard to get going - and getting knocked out of the FA Trophy was a tough one to take. They weren’t a particularly good side, but we dropped down to their level.”

Leigh said it was tough not knowing from one week to the next when action would take place: ‘It’s an absolute nightmare to be honest,” he said.

“Half the players don’t know if they’re coming or going. It’s difficult when we’re getting ready for training and then we get the call through to say it’s cancelled, because it impacts our other work.

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“Fortunately, my employer is really understanding, but it’s hard to chop and change plans at such short notice,” he stated.

With the Isthmian League – and many others like it – on pause at least until early January, the possibility of another null and void season has reluctantly been discussed at the club, much to the disappointment of the staff and players.

“At training, Jack [Pearce] sat down with us, spoke about options and said we’ll hopefully be back in January. But with everything that’s going on at the moment, it wouldn’t surprise me if we didn’t go back at all,” he said.

If the league does continue, Leigh believes the Rocks have given themselves the perfect platform to push for glory.

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“We don’t just want to take part in this league – we want to kick on and win it,” he said. “When you look at our squad, there’s no reason why we can’t. I genuinely think we are as good, if not better, than every side in the division, and we proved that with those four wins just before the break. It’s all about momentum from here.”

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