Rutherford can boost City’s Ryman League dream

As reported last week, Williams said he relieved Pearce of his duties due to poor results and a lack of necessary signings.

Rutherford joins City following a 12-year stint at Moneyfields and Williams hopes he can make a long-term impact at Chichester.

Williams told the Observer: “I am very happy – he’s an experienced manager, he has been there and done it and he took Moneyfields as far as he could.

“We won’t stop him here at Chichester. I was a chairman at Pagham for five years and I know what it takes and I am sure we can achieve higher-league football here with him.

“I am confident he can make an impact here over a long time. To take this club forward I need a Miles Rutherford.”

Williams, appointed chairman in August last year, has reconstructed the club and the changes have seen Sean Forry appointed treasurer and John Hutter club secretary.

“I have been chairman for just over a season and the structure of the club has changed from top to bottom since I have been here,” added Williams. “We now have very good board of directors.”

At Moneyfields Rutherford’s workload saw him do much more than just manage. During his tenure he found himself helping out in numerous departments across the club, but Williams insists City have the right staff and Rutherford will have to focus only on what happens on the pitch.

“I don’t want him taking his mind off of the football – at this club it is all here ready for him. From the committee to the groundsman, it is all here already and the club is ready for the step up,” said Williams.

With a lack of necessary signings a factor in the sacking of Pearce, Williams hopes Rutherford can bring experience to the side to help the club’s current crop of youngsters.

He said: “We have had the best youth system in the league twice over the past three years and those players are now 19 and 20 years old and they need experienced players around them to help them out.

“Miles has already received phone calls from ten players wanting to come and play under him at Chichester, which is encouraging.”

Rutherford’s first win as City boss came with a 2-1 RUR Cup victory at home to Horsham YMCA on Saturday.

GEORGE BOULTON

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