As it is the intention of Ifield Edwards to actively seek an entry into senior football it seems appropriate to keep an eye on what is happening to our local clubs who are playing in the higher echelons. This will be an occasional feature when space permits rather than a specific record of the fortunes of the clubs involved so if you want to know more I suggest you read the Non League newspaper.
Crawley Town have the highest status and it is widely felt that a club in such a populous town should play in the Nationwide League. I am sure manager Francis Vines and chairman Jo Gomm and her board feel the same but it is easier said than done. Many feel the Reds’ record is to flatter to deceive as they often seem well placed at Christmas but their challenge always falls away. Great hopes were raised last season before the inevitable decline but the future looked brighter with the squad that was in place. As is often the way the line up that has made a fair start to this campaign shows many changes. The Nationwide Conference wishes to introduce a second division and if this happens Crawley Town are likely to become members.
The future for Horsham is less certain as they are members of the Isthmian League part of the pyramid and the FA are deliberating plans for the restructuring of the national game. One of the results could be the effective lowering of the status of clubs like Horsham. A lot might depend on which way their pendulum has swung at the time any changes are made. The club has a chequered record of promotions and relegations. At present under John Maggs’ guidance they are one of the more successful clubs in the Ryman First Division and we hope that can be sustained.
North Sussex has no other representation above the County League. At present things are going well with three clubs in the First Division. Three Bridges remain ambitious but their overall record shows they have invariably fallen short and they have yet to win the championship. They have been known over many seasons for attractive play but the ruthless streak seems to have eluded them. Horsham YMCA have a similar record and reputation but have made a sound start to the new campaign. Their prospects are as good as anybody else’s but it is a big step up from the Sussex County League even if the playing standard and facilities in the league’s above do not appear very different. After all Eastbourne United, Southwick and Steyning Town all moved onwards and upwards and have since returned to the fold. East Grinstead Town are another club that has spent time outside of the County League although this was back in the thirties. Their reputation is one of under-achievement and there is no doubt a town of that size should have a team playing at a higher level. At the moment, however, their star is in the ascendant.
Two local clubs are presently in Division Two. Oakwood have enjoyed time in the top flight and under Mark Dunk’s management will make a good fist of this year’s promotion challenge. Pease Pottage Village on the other hand seem set for another battle against relegation and that is a best-case scenario. They seem to have been hoist by their own petard as the money that fuelled their climb from the Mid Sussex League has apparently dried up and the mercenaries have moved on and not been replaced by players of similar quality. Dudley Christensen seems to have drawn the shortest of straws.