Sidley given timely pre-season boost

SIDLEY United have been given a timely shot in the arm ahead of the new Sussex Division One season with the signing of Mickey O'Callaghan.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Aug 2004, 16:37 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:09 BST

The luring of, from last season's evidence when he was booked just twice, a more mellow O'Callaghan on Tuesday night was exactly what the doctor ordered after a slightly turbulent summer of departures and cancelled friendlies.

The versatile O'Callaghan, who has played Southern League football with the now defunct St Leonards and earned a Sussex County League runners-up medal with Rye & Iden United last season, is likely to hold down a role on the left of midfield in a 4-4-2 formation that was so successful in the 2-0 friendly victory at Division Two Westfield on Saturday.

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Joint manager Andy Laskey said: "We're delighted. Everyone wanted him to sign and the two friendlies he's played (against Seaford and Uckfield Town) he's looked very good. He said he just wanted a fresh start.

"I think we've got a very good basis of a squad and we're quite upbeat. I'm not saying we're going to win the league but we've got to improve on last year. We want to do better than survive. We want to get up the league as high as possible and have a better run in some of the cups. We're fairly optimistic that things will go well."

Jason Finch (unavailable) and goalkeeper Greg Thurstans (arm), who was on contract at Windsor & Eton last season during which time he was invited to attend a two week trial with Barclays Premiership giants Chelsea, are the sole absentees for the trip to Horsham YMCA on Saturday August 14. Blues also visit widely-fancied Ringmer on Tuesday evening.

Early season fixtures (subject to alteration) - first team: tomorrow (Saturday) Horsham YMCA (a) 3pm, Tuesday Ringmer (a) 7.30pm, August 21 Hassocks (a) 3pm, August 28 East Preston (a) 3pm, August 31 Whitehawk (a) RUR Charity Cup 1st round 7.45pm, September 4 Wealden (a) John O'Hara Challenge Cup 1st round 3pm, September 11 Redhill (a), September 18 Chichester City United (h) provisional 3pm, September 25 Moneyfields (a) FA Vase 1st qualifying round 3pm. Second team: tomorrow (Saturday) Oakwood (a) 3pm, August 20 Hassocks (a) 7.45pm, August 28 East Preston (a) 4pm, August 30 Whitehawk (a) 11am, September 4 Horsham YMCA (a) 3pm, September 10 East Grinstead Town (a) 7.30pm, September 17 Ringmer (h) 7.45pm, September 24 Hailsham Town (h) 7.45pm.

Related topics:SidleyRingmer