Defender gives Rocks a big boost

Sami El-Abd is the latest player to tell the Rocks he's staying.
Sami El-Abd receives the 2015-16 Chairman's Cup from Sarah Warwick of the Rocks' supporters' club / Picture by Tim HaleSami El-Abd receives the 2015-16 Chairman's Cup from Sarah Warwick of the Rocks' supporters' club / Picture by Tim Hale
Sami El-Abd receives the 2015-16 Chairman's Cup from Sarah Warwick of the Rocks' supporters' club / Picture by Tim Hale

The big centre-half, one of their best performers last season, has agreed in principle to be part of the club’s 2016-17 bid for glory.

It comes after James Crane, Harvey Whyte, Dan Beck and Doug Tuck either signed or indicated their intention to do so.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

El-Abd’s stance is a big boost to Rocks fans who have seen another central defender, Craig Robson, move to Dagenham and Redbridge and strike pair Jason Prior and Alfie Rutherford sign for Havant & Waterlooville.

Midfielder Stuart Green is also moving on while the future of keeper Grant Smith remains up in the air.

Rocks manager Jamie Howell said: “Sami has said he will come back, which is fantastic news. He’s a popular player and was in the league’s team of the year – and rightly so.

“He’s been excellent for us and has given us a steel and a presence we’ve probably not had since Ben Andrews was here. In tough games where you need players who will stand up and be counted, he’s the perfect man to have.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Howell also revealed winger Alex Parsons was keen to be involved again next season – although his modelling career has taken off and that could yet affect his availability.

Keeper Smith remains a ‘possible’ for next season and defender Chad Field, who the Rocks had on loan from Pompey for the year, may be one Bognor will look to recruit again if trials elsewhere don’t come off.

Meanwhile, Bognor will welcome promising young Chichester City duo Jimmy Wild and Jamie Horncastle for pre-season training. They have high hopes for the striker and defender and want to test whether they could be a part of the new Ryman premier campaign.

One ex-Rock who won’t be back at Nyewood Lane despite many hoping he would return is midfielder Kane Wills, who has opted to join Worthing – themselves in the Ryman premier for 16-17 – after his release by Margate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Howell said: “We’d have liked Kane to come back - he’s a player we know well and respect. But he’s decided a move to Worthing is best for him and we can live with that.”

Wills admitted he’d considered a Bognor return and added: “It was a hard decision. Bognor came in and do you go and be loyal to them or do you take a step into the unknown and take a fresh challenge?

“In the end, I just brought into everything that (Worthing bosses) Gary (Elphick) and Jon (Meeney) have done.

On going back to Bognor with Worthing, Wills said: “I’ll expect a few boos, I didn’t get that last time I went back but maybe I’ll get a few boos this time now I’m playing for their local rivals.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It will be a bit weird going back there but I left on very good terms and they’ll maybe understand the reasons I have for coming here at this time. There’s no hard feelings to them.”

Bognor are also in the market for new recruits, with a centre-forward and centre-half high on their shopping list.

For Rocks coach Darin Killpartrick, the recent departures mean he will have some new faces in the squad to work with and he is relishing it.

“It’s a great challenge. It’s a big part of what we do at Bognor – bringing in keen young players, getting them to play our way and developing them,” Killpartrick said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Changes in the squad will only drive me harder to get our team doing the right things.”

Meanwhile, the Rocks’ list of friendlies is growing.

In addition to games already announced at home to Pompey (Weds July 27) and away to Pagham (Fri July 29), Bognor are scheduled to visit Chichester City (Mon July 18), Gosport (Sat July 23) and Horsham (Thur Aug 4).

Get your Bognor Regis Observer newspaper for just 38p per week for a year!

Your Bognor Regis Observer newspaper costs £1.05 each week - BUT if you buy a year’s subscription before June 4, 2016, you can enjoy a massive saving which works out at just 38p an edition.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Subscribe and read your favourite weekly, the Chichester, or Bognor Regis, or Midhurst & Petworth Observer, for 12 months for a one off advance payment of £19.76 - that works out at just 38p a copy for an entire year!

And as a valued subscriber you’ll continue to receive a 20% discount even after the initial 12 month offer has ended.

Once you’ve subscribed we’ll send you dated coupons to use instead of cash when paying for your Observer.

To take advantage of this fantastic offer simply click here and enter the offer code - 277PA-CBO.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Terms & Conditions: Offer valid to new customers only when paying by a one off direct debit charge of £19.76. Minimum 12 months subscription. Offer ends Saturday 4th June 2016. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.