Tucker and Berkowitz quit Blues for Wick

Tucker and Berkowitz both head to Wick from Rustington where they were manager and assistant manager respectively. Vic Short and Scott Farrell, who were with the duo at Blues, will also join them at Wick as assistant managers.

Wick had a difficult 2011-12 season, with three different management teams taking charge throughout the campaign and they failed to field a side on two occasions.

Now, though, chairman Keith Croft is hoping brighter times are on the horizon and said: “We had a small group of people who spoke to the various people who applied for the job.

“They were all very high calibre but the reason we went for Dave and Jon is we’re not only looking to kick-start the football side of things, we’re looking to kick-start the whole club. I’m hoping with Dave and Jon coming from the Bognor side and Vic and Scott from the Worthing side, we can get together a very good group of local players and the emphasis is on local

“There’s still a massive job to do at the football club as we look to rebuild and develop it but I’m very pleased to have Dave and Jon on board.

“We’ll have a reserve side running next season as well and there’s an outside possibility that we might have a youth team, too.”

Berkowitz, who was at Wick as assistant boss to Gary Block, in 2010-11, has also previously managed Pagham and been assistant at Arundel and Wick.

He is looking forward to next season already and said: “We’re under no illusions of the task we’ve got as we’re pretty much starting from scratch.

“But we’re going there to try to get the club promoted. I’m not saying we’re going to win the league but we’ll be aiming to finish in the top three next season.

“It might not happen next season but we’ve got ambitions to get the team into Division 1.

“I’ve been at the club before, under Gary Block, and it’s a Division 1 club, with the facilities and everything there.

“We’ll be looking to set up a reserve side for next season as well and we want to have a squad that will be competitive.

“With the players Jon and I know, and Vic and Scott as well, between us we should be able to get a squad together, who can be challenging.

“It was a horrendous season for Wick last year. They have really been in the mire but Keith has been honest about things and we want to go there and build something.”

Tucker added: “It’s a good opportunity for us and we’re looking forward to it.

“We went for the job as joint managers and, once the opportunity arose, it was too good to turn down.

“It’s a shame to leave Rustington as they’re a fantastic club but Wick have got all the facilities here, even though it’s been a bit of a transitional phase for the club.

“We’re hoping to put a competitive squad together now and to be pushing for the top three next season.”

Croft welcomes anyone interested in helping out the club on the committee side of things to contact him on 07932 176051 or [email protected]