We'll be the surprise package this season, says Lovell - EXCLUSIVE

Sittingbourne manager Steve Lovell has warned his rivals that his side “could turn a few heads” this season, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Brickies report back to pre-season training on Tuesday night, when Lovell puts at least thirty players through their paces at Mote Park in Maidstone, as they prepare for their Ryman League Division One South campaign.

And Lovell is delighted that striker Bradley Spice, son of Sittingbourne’s chairman Andy, has returned to Bourne Park, following a season at rivals Dover Athletic, and that the versatile Steve Hafner has arrived from Dartford.

“Andy Spice has spoken to me and said Bradley would be with us for the forthcoming season,” Lovell said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk
this evening.

“Andy said Bradley has agreed to come back to us for another year, so that’s great news for us.

“I wanted him to come as I didn’t know what was going to happen to him, whether Dover were going to keep him or not.

“I wanted him to come back if he wasn’t going to sign for Dover again.

“Before I went on holiday I spoke to Bradley and Andy Spice about it - and I’m really pleased and delighted that he’s come back to us.”

Lovell admitted the striker didn’t have to return to Bourne Park to play for the club where his father is chairman.

“Brad didn’t have to come back, did he?” said the Welshman. “He can decide on what he wants to do. He went off to Dover in the first place and you can’t knock him for that.

“It didn’t work out for him as much as it did last year, but Bradley’s a good player. He’s got pace, gets goals, and hopefully he’ll do the same again for us this year.”

Lovell is, however, pleased with his options up front, despite his son Mark joining Andy Hessenthaler at rivals Dover Athletic.

“Mark has obviously gone to Dover and I’ve signed Steve Hafner (from Dartford),” he said.

“I’ve got him, Bradley, Lee Browning, Mitchell Sherwood, who can play up front and I’ve got Andy Doerr when he comes back (from his broken leg), so I’ve got a good selection of strikers for the coming season.”

Speaking about Hafner, Lovell said: “Haffie can play in a number of positions. He can play upfront, wide-right and midfield.

“He’s very energetic, got good pace, a good crosser and he can score goals.

“He played very well against us when he played for Dartford and I’ve known him for a long time.

“I know what he can do and he’ll be very important for our team this year.”

Lovell said that he’s still on the lookout for a couple of players, adding: “I’m sure between now and the start of the season, there will be one or two new players at the club.”

Lovell explained what his players will expect from their first pre-season training session in two days time.

“Our first four or five sessions (will be at) Mote Park (doing) fitness training,” he said.

“There’s one or two on holiday’s, I’ll have the reserves down there for a couple of sessions, so we’ll have thirty players down there.

“I don’t just do running, I think that’s a bit old fashioned,” he said. “When I was a player, the last thing I wanted to do was to run round a field for an hour and a half without a ball, so we’ll use a ball to make it interesting and realistic for he players.

“They’ll be kicking a ball on Tuesday night and they’ll do their running and their ball work as well to enjoy it and get all they can out of the pre-season.

“I think pre-season is all about that. It’s not about winning, it’s about fitness and pattern of play and letting the players show you exactly what they can do in not a pressurised environment.

“I’m just looking forward to the season, some really good games, some good teams and I think the league we’re in, is getting stronger each year.”

Lovell believes his side can be the surprise package this season, and force their way into promotion reckoning.

“We’re always hoping for it,” he said. “But I think we’ve got a squad good enough to be up there.

“I’m sure the boys are looking forward to the challenge of proving that this year - I certainly am!

“It’s going to be a big challenge. You know the teams that are expecting to be at the top and it’s up to the rest of the teams to try and knock them of that mantle.

“Dover will be up there, Ashford this year, they’ve got everything in place in the right way, they’re ambitious and want to go forward.

“I think Dulwich again, Kingstonian, I think you can look out for this year. Tooting & Mitcham are always there and thereabouts and again that won’t be no different.

“I think they’ll be a few surprises this year and I won’t put it past us to be one of those surprises.

“Not from my point of view it won’t be a surprise, but from other quarters. We might turn a few heads, which I’m hoping we do.”

Sittingbourne’s pre-season friendlies:

Saturday 21^st July (away) Deal Town
Tuesday 24^th July (away) Thamesmead Town
Saturday 28^th July (away) Faversham Town - Bob Amor Trophy
Tuesday 31^st July (away) Ramsgate
Saturday 4^th August (HOME) AVELEY
Tuesday 7^th August (HOME) MARGATE

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk