11/6/09

STEVE IBBITSON and Jason Hopkinson are staying on as Lewes manager and coach as the club continues preparations for the new season.

Ibbitson was placed in caretaker charge in March for the Rooks last ten games in the Blue Square Premier, but both men have continued to work hard since the end of the season to help the club make preparations for August.

The temporary appointments of both Ibbitson and Hopkinson was a popular one with supporters last season, and they hope that their decision to continue at the helm will help to create a more positive attitude to the club over the summer.

Despite the financial problems the club continues to face, the pair have already been talking to players for next season, including members of the existing first team and Under 18 squads, as well as a number of potential new signings.

First team friendlies have been arranged against Eastbourne Borough at the Dripping Pan (July 21st) with away games at Eastbourne Town and Carshalton, and the new management team are hopeful of arranging at least one more home friendly before the start of the season.

Ibbitson is well aware of the club’s finances, but he has called on Lewes supporters to play an important role as the new season approaches.

“We have debts that we need to deal with and that is obviously going to affect the budget,” he said.

“People need to know that but it also means that we and the squad we gather will have to be prepared to work that bit harder, be that bit more organised, and be as innovative as we can for the Club and for the supporters.”

“We need the supporters to get behind us but we in turn need to give them reasons to keep coming to watch.”

One member of the management team who won’t be part of next season’s set up though is Steve Eke, who has taken on the role of Assistant Coach at Eastbourne Borough in place of Simon Colborn who has become manager of Worthing.

Hopkinson said, “We’re obviously disappointed he’s gone but he enjoyed the involvement with us in the BS Premier level last season and he’s been given the opportunity to continue at that level.”

“He did deliberate the offer from Boro for some time but he made his decision to move to Priory Lane this week and both me and Steve wish him all the very best. He’s a great guy and he deserves it.”

Behind the scenes at the Dripping Pan, Lewes owner Martin Elliott continues to work hard in an attempt to secure new financial investment into the club, and more news on the club’s future is expected over the next few days.