Tucker’s relishing having a big squad

The struggling Crabtree Park side merged with Barnham during the summer to aid both sides and it has brought a big influx of players and help to the club.

Virtually the whole of Barnham’s squad and their committee have come over to Wick and Tucker – who will be assisted by Lee Tiliyer – is looking forward to an easier season on all fronts.

Wick hope it will spell the end of last season’s struggles, when they struggled to get a side out, as well as limited help off the field. The new side will play in County League Division 2 and both teams from last year have maintained most of their individual squads, as well as making a couple of new signings.

Tucker said: “It’s going really well. The majority of the boys from the Wick side last year have signed on and all of the lads from Barnham have signed on, apart from Ash Harper.

“Kerry Hardwell and Nathan Parke have joined from Clymping. Nathan was here at the start of last season and went to Clymping, so he has come back and Kerry is going to come and give it a go.

“That’s really it at the moment, but it’s early doors. It’s going to be really nice as each week last year we were scratching round for players – this year we have 20 or 21 to pick from.

“We are starting to whittle them down a bit and, obviously, when the season starts, we’ll probably lose one or two, who want to play first-team football.

“It is still early doors but it’s very encouraging.”

Pre-season is going well for United, they overcame Wittering United 3-1 in their opening friendly but lost 4-0 to a new-look and division-higher Worthing United on Saturday.

On if they are looking to sign any more, Tucker said: “There are a couple out there and you’d like to think when the season gets going you could tempt them over. But, I am happy with what I’ve got. I’d probably like another striker but we all know anyone good goes to play higher and for a bit of money, that’s the way it is.

“We’ve got Kerry, Lee Farrell, Kieron Playle-Howard and Mark Pedrick, so we have got a few guys.”