NO ENVY TOWARDS ROOKS

ALAN POOK is glad Worthing missed out on the opportunity to end up where Lewes have, in the new Conference South. That does not, of course, mean the Rebels manager was happy to miss out becoming Ryman Division 1 South champions by one point after a single season in charge. But he is relieved not to be standing a bridge too far.

Division winners Lewes won their way through the Play-off route to Conference South and leapt two promotions in one, while Worthing went up one normal rung of the new pyramid ladder.

Pook's verdict: "This Ryman Premier Division we're next in is the right one for us. But I won''t be satisfied if we're not in Conference South after next season '” although even then we'd be a year ahead of schedule.

"When we got to the club last summer we made a 3-5 year plan and Ryman Premier was the first step in the first year. If we'd made a double step to the Conference South in that first year we'd have had to have made across-the-board changes.

"Ours team is a youngish, still-evolving team. Most of the players were stepping up a level to play in Division 1 South, although I'm sure most were ready.

"But to progress higher, your foundations must be strong. Life would be impossible if you were in Conference South and wondering where the finances, ground improvements and players were going to come from.

"We've now got the wherewithall within the club to grow. But experience tells you not to progress too far too quickly. We're interested in doing it properly. Some teams will not stay up. Mere consolidation is no good.

"The Premier will be strong next season. Billericay Town, for example, are going full-time. If we'd been in Conference South we'd need to do 10 times more work. But this way, we'll be strong. I'm happy and confident we'll be challenging for honours.

"Fresh faces are likely. We need more players with expertise, to give us more options. Things are really building well and we've made large strides but you can't run before you can walk.

"In the ground, for instance, I want everybody under cover. I want the sense of familty expanded. More children in the club. Free admission if accompanied by an adult. It's imperative that the facilities are comfortable.

"Toilets for the disabled will be in before next season and on the pitch I'm hoping we'll train at Brighton Rugby Club at Waterhall, to keep us off the Woodside surface.

"You can't stand still. A lot of things are important to the evolution of Worthing Football Club."