Mansell expecting testing Isthmian Premier season for new-look Burgess Hill Town
Gary Mansell is expecting a highly competitive Isthmian Premier season – even though his Burgess Hill Town squad has been boosted by eight new signings.
Nicky Wheeler, Brad Barry, Luther Williams, Shamir Fenelon, Yoan Marc Olivier, Luca Cocoracchio, Joel Daly and Josh Rusoke have all joined Hill this summer.
They give Mansell and his staff experience and strength in depth across the squad as the Hillians look to build on last season’s eighth-place finish in their first season back at step three.
Hill kick off on Saturday at Brentwood – who reached the play-offs last year – before home clashes with AFC Whyteleafe and Leatherhead the following Tuesday and Saturday.
Mansell, who’ll have Ben Austin and Lewis Taylor with him in the dugout, said: “We’re looking forward to the season starting. Pre-season has been frustrating with player availability issues but we’ve tried to manage things so no player has been overloaded or given too few minutes.
“It’s been about trying to make sure everyone’s fit and available for the first game.”
Hill flirted with a play-off spot last season before falling just short and Mansell said: “The obvious target this season is to go one better. If we turn eighth into seventh, we’ll be in the play-offs, which are extended from this year.”
But he admitted that would not be straightforward. “Most of the teams in the league will be thinking along the same lines,” he said. “It will about consistency.
"There are five Sussex teams in the division as Eastbourne Borough come down into it and Three Bridges come up into it. All those teams will be fancying their chances against each other.
“Bridges will have the sort of momentum we had last season so will be ones to watch.”