Jefkins confident of Sids success

Sidlesham Football Club boss Gary Jefkins is hoping his side can take positive steps in the coming season.
Sidlesham in action at Haywards Heath / Picture by Grahame LehkyiSidlesham in action at Haywards Heath / Picture by Grahame Lehkyi
Sidlesham in action at Haywards Heath / Picture by Grahame Lehkyi

After securing an 11th-placed finish on their return to the Southern Combination League Division 1 last term, disaster struck as failure to meet ground-grading rulings meant they were relegated.

Despite that disappointing news, Jefkins says the club are looking to get their floodlights working and enclose their ground in the near future as they seek to gain promotion back into Division 1.

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He said: “It was obviously really frustrating when we received the news about relegation.

“We now know what needs to be done and will be looking to make improvements in the coming season.

Planning permission hasn’t yet been applied for, but with all going well, plans will be put in place sometime in the near future.

“We’ve been looking at various grants in order to get floodlights and hopefully it will be possible.

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The 35-year-old Sids manager has moved quickly to bolster his backroom team in the close season.

Former Chichester City management pair of Andy Bell and Daren Pearce have agreed to come across, while Malcolm Harwood will be part of his team too.

Bell will be assisstant manager, with Pearce taking up a player-coach role, and Jefkins believes getting the trio is a major coup for his side.

He said: “To have someone with Daren’s experience on board will be a great benefit to us.

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“I think we lacked that experienced head on and off-the-field and he will add that.

“To get both Andy and Malcolm on board aswell will only make us stronger next term.”

It’s been a busy summer for Sids with confirmation they will be running a development/reserve team next season.

That side will ply their trade in one of the West Sussex Football League Division’s but which one is still unknown.

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Jefkins added: “One of the things that came up in my meeting with both Daren and Andy was about a reserve team.

“I felt at times last season without a reserve team that held us back, so to be able to run one next term will be great for us.

“It will give younger players a chance to develop and hopefully start pushing for a place in the first-team.”

As well as running a reserve team, Chichester City ladies’ development, under-16, 14 and 12’s teams will also be using Sids’ ground for home league matches next season, with Jefkins seeing that as another major boost.

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He said: “It’s great to have Chichester girls teams using our pitches. Their development and under-16’s will use our pitch on a Sunday, while under-14 and 12’s teams will use a side pitch.”

Sidlesham are looking for a manager to run their development/reserve team next season if you are interested contact Gary Jefkins on 07540334414.