Chichester City ready to step into their unknown Southern League challenge
Chichester City are ready to begin their Southern League era after a ‘steady’ pre-season.
Miles Rutherford’s side welcome Poole Town to Oaklands Park on Saturday for their Southern League Premier South opener, which follows their switch from the Isthmian League.
Rutherford said: “We’ve looked okay in pre-season but you can’t tell too much until the first batch of league games has been played.
“I think all step three leagues are getting harder, with a lot of teams with big budgets. But we will compete as best we can and might surprise a few.”
Coach Darin Killpartrick said Poole were one of three sides widely fancied for promotion who Chi face in the first six games. But he said they were relishing the challenges.
“We don’t know the true strength of this league yet but expect it to be similar to the Isthmian Premier, and that means we’re in for a tough season. We’ll have to be on it every single game.”
They have recruited forwards Brandon Chebby and Harry Bridle and midfielder James Sweet, while Rutherford said there could be one or two more to join the squad.