Non-league managers play down Pompey talk

Gosport Borough manager, Alex Pike, has made light of his inclusion among the potential candidates on certain bookmakers.

Meanwhile, Bognor’s Jamie Howell admits he is flattered to even be mentioned.

Pike joked: ‘The bookies hardly ever get it wrong.

‘I saw I started at 40/1 and I was 33/1 the last time I looked so I’m coming down!

‘The Grand National winner was about 25/1 so I’m not far off that.

‘But no, I won’t be applying for the job.

‘It’s not on my radar and I’m certainly not on Pompey’s radar.’

Howell, meanwhile, believes it is a compliment for the local non-league managers.

He said: ‘I’m young and ambitious and of course it’s flattering when you are linked with a job at a big club like Pompey.

‘I’m pretty certain they’ll appoint someone with Football League experience, but to be talked about in these circles is an excellent reflection on Bognor and on me.

‘It’s the same for people like Alex Pike at Gosport and Lee Bradbury at Havant.

‘They have also been mentioned as possibles for the Pompey job – and they wouldn’t have been talked about if nobody thought they were doing a good job.’

Howell added: ‘It’s a shame it hasn’t worked out for Andy Awford in the manager’s role, but I like to think there’ll be another role at the club for him. I hope and believe Bognor’s good working relationship with Pompey will continue.’

– STEVE WILSON

& STEVE BONE