Sports Need To Star This Time Around Says Boss Howell

It was a challenging season for the club despite high levels of optimism a year ago.

Manager Howell took the plunge and joined the Sports hours after guiding Bognor Regis Town into the National League South last May.

His first season didn’t quite go to plan with inconsistency and injuries hampering a campaign which promised so much.

Eastbourne finished 18th - and the boss is expecting much better come kick off next Saturday.

“Last season was far from perfect,” he said. “We were very stop-start - we didn’t get going.

“We didn’t win anywhere near enough games of football and that was a problem. We didn’t have enough momentum.

“I wanted us to do a lot better than we did but this is a new season now and perhaps because of last time we will go under the radar a little.

“It’s a stronger league this year and we need to be ready for the challenge.”

Eastbourne begin away to Oxford City before home games with Welling United and Truro City.

Sports’ star signings include striker Charlie Walker from St Albans and midfield men David Martin and Michael West.

So are the club better prepared for a promotion push?

“I certainly hope so!” Howell said. “We have gone with more experience and hopefully that will stand us in good stead.

“The club is going great guns at youth team level too, so maybe we can see more of these talented youngsters come through.”