Horsham FC boss delighted to keep high-flying squad together

The manager believes stability is key as he looks to build on a positive first campaign back in the town and in the Isthmian premier division.

The Hornets finished sixth in the truncated season, surprising many well-established step three teams, and Di Paola wants them to equal or better that when the new campaign begins.

His hopes have been boosted by the eight who have committed to the cause.

It is exactly what he said at the end of last season he hoped would happen.

Young goalkeeper George Bentley will return for a second season with the club, while forwards Rob O’Toole and Chris Smith, defenders Will Miles and Harvey Sparks, and three midfielders – Lee Harding, Charlie Harris and skipper Jack Brivio – have also rejoined.

They are some of the club’s most experienced players, having racked up more than 500 appearances for the Hornets between them over their time with the club.

The eight also joined by former Worthing, Whitehawk and Peacehaven forward Callum Saunders, whose signing was revealed in April.

Di Paola said he hoped more of last season’s squad would sign on soon and he planned a couple of new faces.

He told the County Times: “It’s great to get these over the line, it makes a big difference.

“We’ve got a good group with a lot of appearances for the club between them. For the five or six years before we came in, I think the club had a bit of a conveyor belt of players but I feel it’s important to have a nucleus who stick around.”

He added: “Hopefully there will be a few more to rejoin. There’s no-one from last year I’m planning to phone and say ‘you’re not part of our plans’.

“We were delighted to get Callum signed and we have one or two others we hope to get over the line.”

As reported, Horsham have parted company with three of their squad. Alex Kelly and Harry Mills have moved to Walton & Hersham, while Greg Cundle has returned to Concord Rangers.

Big things to come

Big things are expected of several Horsham FC players in the coming season – and skipper Jack Brivio and new signing Callum Saunders are among them.

Midfielder Brivio is one of eight members of the Hornets’ 2019-20 squad to sign for the new campaign, while Saunders has joined after five years at Haywards Heath in which he made 150 appearances, scoring 82 goals and weighing in with 64 assists.

Horsham boss Dom Di Paola is pleased with all his recruits but was asked about the importance of having Brivio and Saunders in his ranks. Brivio came through the Tonbridge Angels academy and played for Burgess Hill before joining Horsham.

Di Paola said: “He had a bit of a slow start to last season but from October he was one of our best players. I’m delighted he’s on board again.”

Of goalscoring winger Saunders, Di Paola said: “I’ve been watching him play for ten years and he’s always a decent player. He has goals in him from out wide and sharing the goals around all parts of the team is something we need to do. If he’s fit and firing he will score goals for us.”