Paul's baptism of fire
NEW boss Lee Paul is involved in a race against time to get his new-look Humbugs side ready for his FA Cup managerial debut on Saturday, August 14.
Hayling United have been drawn at home against Blackfield and Langley and the new boss at The College Ground is praying that both his new signings are ready for the cup clash – and just as importantly so is the relaid pitch.
As the Islander reported two months ago, Paul's predecessor Mark Poulton was offering up a prayer to the heavens hoping they would open often enough for the rain needed to help the new turf grow.
But Poulton was offered the job at Chichester just days after the troublesome surface was levelled and reseeded – and he ripped the heart out of the club's playing squad by taking a dozen of the Humbug's best players over to the West Sussex League club.
They included teenage striker Nathan Paxton and club skipper Josh Casey, who between them scored the majority of the goals in the league last sesason, and the crucial goal that won them the Portsmouth Senior Cup in May.
Paul, a 32-year-old PE teacher, was offered the job by the club committee in June.
The much-travelled forward has spent the summer break trying to recruit a squad large enough and experienced enough to withstand what could easily become a relegation battle over the coming months.
Paul, who was out injured from October until the last league game of the season, told the Islander: "I have told the players that I am not looking for results during pre-season.
"I am expecting good performances from the players. The first few matches have been tough but so far everyone has been fantastic."
Paul, who has a reputation as a feisty and passionate striker, has played for most of the big non-league sides in south east Hampshire.
And he used that knowledge to help his recruitment drive after losing 11 first-teamers including Steve Leigh, Sean Thurgood, Billy Huntley, George Way, Graeme Gillman, keeper Tony Harrop, Jack Salter-Vale, Mark Greenaway and Lawrence Wall.
With no big purse to entice players to the Island he admits he has picked a few experienced heads, who may have not seen eye-to-eye with their previous club or manager, and who have something to prove in the Premier Divison of the Wessex League.
His recruits include Steve Black from Moneyfields, ex-Gsoport Borough player Adam Rudling, Dale Field – formerly of Fareham and Moneyfields - Jason Clements who was also at Moneyfields and Horndean and veteran Darren Watts, who holds the record for the most appearances for Fareham.
But his biggest coup could be signing Josh Warren - a former youth team player at Reading, who is studying at Portsmouth University.
Youth is further represented by the promotion of Jared Singh from last year's youth team, along with Dan Ayres and Jack Sackman.
The team, who lost 4-1 at Horndean and 5-0 against Fleetlands as well as being beaten 3-2 at Portchester in pre-season friendlies, enjoyed a bonding session at Hampshire Police's Netley HQ, using the assault course under the watchful eye of trainer Jim Wells.
Paul, who admits he could be forced to play in emergencies with a small squad, is keen to make his mark and is likely to be one of the youngest and best-qualified coaches in the Wessex League, if not the Premiership Division.
He added: "I couldn't have been given a tougher start – we play champions Poole Town, Brokenhurst, Wimborne and Bemerton Heath in the first month of the season.
"But the players will get some of the best training going so I am looking forward to the challenge."
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Weather for Hayling
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
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