Selsey boss: It's a difficult season - we just want fans and players to enjoy it

Daren Pearce talks to his Selsey players after a pre-season friendly against Bognor

But he has praised the progress made by his squad and pledged that the club will continue to provide football for all and give players and fans something to focus on as the country struggles with the pandemic.

Selsey will resume their division one campaign after the current break in 11th place but with games in hand over the sides above them.

Pearce said: “We started satisfactorily but like most teams, finding the consistency early on was hard. That may be down to having a bit of a interrupted pre-season.

“Players were finding it difficult with no fans to begin with.

“We have done reasonably well so far in what is going to be a hard season with all the restrictions in place.

“We hope to find the consistency when we return after the second lockdown.

“The football club is in a good place on the field withthe teams we’re providing for lads to develop and make the pathway towards first team football locally.

“Although this season will provide challenging moments on and off the field, we hope to provide player and supporters with the chance to get out and play and watch the game they love.

“The main thing for us as a club is to provide a safe and secure environment for players, supporters, volunteers and commitee members in these tough times – the well-being of everyone is of paramount importance.”

Selsey have seen a few players ins and outs.

“We have added a few, with other lads moving on to the next level ,which is great for their footballing careers,” said Pearce.

“We have given them the start they deserved in senior football and we wouldn’t stand in the way of players trying the higher level.

“We take pride in knowing we have developed them and have given them a step on the ladder.”

Pearce said a number of new recruits were shining.

“Harry Prisk has been a good find, playing mainly u23s football until this season. We managed to get him in and he has been consistently good.

“Seventeen-year-old keeper Syd Davies has come in and done a great job since signing near the end of last season. He is another young lad who will go on to play at a higher level.

“Charlie Selby came in from Pagham, again having played mainly u23 football. He has done well and is getting better the more he plays first team football.

“Michael Hamm has given us that bit of experience which we haven’t had before and is great example to young lads of how to do things the correct way – hopefully others can learn from him."