Lancing FC bosses want to win title - and are not daunted by trying for repeat of last season

It’s a new start for Lancing FC as they begin life under joint bosses Kane Louis and James Rhodes. At the start of a season they hope will end in promotion to the Isthmian League, we quizzed the duo about what’s ahead.
Lancing celebrate one of the goals in their opening day win over Lingfield / Picture Stephen GoodgerLancing celebrate one of the goals in their opening day win over Lingfield / Picture Stephen Goodger
Lancing celebrate one of the goals in their opening day win over Lingfield / Picture Stephen Goodger

Congratulations on landing the Lancing roles. Tell us about your playing and coaching careers so far?

JR: This is my first management job, I’ve played for Newhaven, Burgess Hill, Horsham YMCA and East Preston

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KL: My playing career started at Brighton’s centre of excellence through the youth teams into a year professional. I went on to play for Lewes, Corby Town and Ashford United, along with trials at Swindon and abroad.

On the attack against Lingfield / Picture Stephen GoodgerOn the attack against Lingfield / Picture Stephen Goodger
On the attack against Lingfield / Picture Stephen Goodger

I assisted and coached at Saltdean, Peacheaven and Shoreham in my early 20s til I landed my first management job at Shoreham FC in the Sussex county premier division. I was player/manager there which meant I learnt an abundance of management skills that many don’t see.

I went back to just playing at Haywards Heath where we had success in the county prem and got into the Ryman south, then I joined Naim Rouane as assistant manager last season, also still playing.

Naim & his staff had great success at Culver Road last season - is it daunting to be following in his footsteps?

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JR: It’s not daunting, we sat top of the table but we didn’t win anything because Covid-19 finished the season, and there was plenty of football left to play – we will never know what would have happened. But I played most of the games last season so if we work with the same attitude we can enjoy success.

Action from the win over Lingfield / Picture Stephen GoodgerAction from the win over Lingfield / Picture Stephen Goodger
Action from the win over Lingfield / Picture Stephen Goodger

How was lockdown for you both and the players?

KL: It was nice to have a break from a busy schedule and gave extra time to get prepared for the new season.

JR: Tough, it has affected everyone in different ways.

For me I enjoyed elements because I spent time with the family but I know the players are very to have football

back.

How do you rate progress so far in pre-season training and in matches?

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JR: Really happy with the progress both the existing and new players have come together really well.

KL: I am very happy with how pre season has gone considering we lost pretty much half of the squad from last season.

Continuing the questions to Lancing management duo Kane Louis and James Rhodes ... are you almost there with your squad for the season? Are there likely to be any more signings to come?

KL: I feel we have managed to add some great players and people.

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JR: At the moment no more new signings, we have brought in some really top players and people into the group.

Million dollar question - can Lancing win the SCFL premier this season, and win promotion to the Isthmian?

JR: We can win the league if we stick together as a group.

KL: The league is there for anyone to have a go at winning and I feel there are more than a few teams that will be confident and challenge. We are just focusing on building relationships on and off the pitch at the moment as we have seen there have been many ins and outs from last season’s squad.

Which clubs do you see as your main rivals at the top of the season?

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JR: I think the same old faces will be in the mix. Obviously my old club Newhaven will be a strong side.

Any other message to supporters?

JR: Stick with us and I’m sure we will have a good season.

KL: We appreciate all of the support from everyone and check out @paypr_org on instagram to keep up to date with much off-the-pitch work as well as on it.

I am proud and excited to work along side Lancing FC this season which provides one-to-one mentoring/football development and mental well-being workshops this season.

* It was the perfect start – but it didn’t last. Lancing could not have asked for a better opening result as they set about showing last season was no fluke.

But they suffered their first setback in midweek.

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They got off to a flyer with a 6-1 win over Lingfield in front of home fans on Saturday, Matt Daniel leading the way with a hat-trick. But it didn’t go to plan on Tuesday night as they surrendered a 2-1 lead at Hassocks with ten minutes to go to lose to a stoppage-time penalty.