Croydon chairman: Don't turn your back on the club for England - EXCLUSIVE

Despite missing a couple of key midfielders, Croydon manager/chairman Dickson Gill insists his side will have enough talent to get past struggling Sussex County League side Littlehampton Town on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Trams will be without former Bromley midfielder Chris Hill, whose away on holiday, and Bronek Dabrowa, whose attending a wedding.

But Lee Kirby, whose recovered from injury, and Sulaiman Charm are both expected to be drafted into the team for their FA Vase first round proper clash at the Croydon Sports Arena and Ray Freeman’s pending suspension has yet come through.

Croydon, eighth in the Kent League table after bagging three wins and three draws from their first eight league outings, are getting used to the physical side of Kent League football.

Comparing the Kent League to the now defunct Ryman Second Division, Mr Gill, suffering from a bout of ‘flu, EXCLUSIVELY told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today : “I don’t think there’s a lot it in.

“We’ve made a lot of new friends in the Kent League and the grounds are nice but it is a very physical league.”

But Mr Gill hopes fans will be watching their FA Vase game before drifting off to the clubhouse to watch England’s clash with Macedonia, which gets underway at 5pm.

“The club itself has suffered a few setbacks since I’ve taken over, but we’ve managed to get debt free now and improve the club,” he revealed.

“In a couple of years we might be good enough to go up, but we are four-five players short if we want to go up.”

Mr Gill has watched basement boys Littlehampton in midweek and without naming names, was impressed with their goalkeeper, right-back and one of their centre halves during their
4-0 home cup defeat to Pagham, but added: “It was a pretty even game. I feel quite confident but I don’t want to press my faith, but I think we should be confident of winning really. Their midfield and up front was pretty poor.”

With an average crowd of 77 watching their games at the Croydon Sports Arena in South Norwood, Mr Gill urges fans not to turn their backs on the club just so they can put their feet up and watch England on the box.

“It’s out of our control and we like to wish them well and win, which I know they will,” he said.

“But we’ve got a bar it’s on TV there. It’s like everything else. If they want to watch a non-league game and tape the England game they can.

“It’s individual choice. I would watch a non-league game over an England game but I don’t think it will make a lot of difference to us personally.”

Croydon, and other winning sides, will bank £700 of prize money for winning FA Vase first round ties. “We could do with the prize money,” added Mr Gill.

Directions:

Nearest Tram stop is Arena, which is two minutes away from ground. Take Tram 1 or 2 from East Croydon, Elmers End or Beckenham Junction.

Bus: 312 towards South Norwood from Croydon or from Norwood Junction Station.

Train: Nearest stations are East Croydon or Norwood Junction. From East Croydon take either the Tram or the 312 bus.

From Norwood Junction, take 312 bus or enjoy a short walk.

Visit Croydon’s website:  www.thelasttramhome.cjb.net