Much has changed in football - but Selsey's football outlook is just the same

But one things remains unchanged – their desire to do well on the pitch and be a club that gives opportunities to local youngsters to show they deserve to play football at a good level.

The Blues are gearing up for Saturday’s start of a new SCFL division one campaign – they go to Seaford for their first game.

First team boss Daren Pearce is looking forward to the action and told us what had been happening at the High Street Ground in recent weeks.

Picture special from Selsey v Ringwood.

“We have had a few changes this pre-season, which include new managers for our under-23s team in Mitch Fountain and Jack Cavell.

“They stepped up just before the lockdown. They came from the Selsey reserve side they ran and are now in charge of the development of the under-23 lads, getting them ready for the senior first team.

“We have proved over the past few seasons we have some good young players coming through the pathway we provide. So we hope this will continue under their guidance.

“We are again running our under-18s side and this will be a pathway to the under-23s and the first team, giving lads the chance to develop into senior football.”

Pearce, who watched a Max Davies goal beat Ringwood Town 1-0 in Selsey’s latest friendly last Saturday, said he was happy with how the first-team squad had come together.

“We have secured a good squad which we think in time will grow – and we would like to be in and around the mix come the end of the season,” he said.

“We are always looking to improve and develop the lads more, therefore we have had a tough pre-season match-wise, facing the likes of Horndean, AFC Portchester, Bognor, Bemerton Heath and Chichester in the Dave Kew Cup.

“We have learnt so much about the players in these tough games.”

Selsey’s players have worked hard in these friendlies and in pre-season training itself, their energy and workrate levels impressing Pearce.

He said: “We are all looking forward to being able to play in front of fans again as everyone knows grass-roots football clubs rely on these fans to help with the club’s day-to-day running.

“If they aren’t allowed in then more clubs will struggle and go out of business – we at Selsey are no different, so if you’re at a loose end and want to get your fiotball fix pop along and see us sometime.

“We have also introduced a former player, Paul Cooper, as a one-to-one coach. He has teamed up with the club to coach young players on a Wednesday evening at Selsey FC from 5pm. There’s details on our website or social media pages or Paul’s website and Facebook pages.

“Everyone is welcome with groups for all abilities – it’s football for all boys and girls.”