Mullets ‘excited’ to host Albion team

Mullets were able to arrange the high-profile friendly as part of their 125th year anniversary celebrations, which are taking place this year.

Arundel boss Simon Butler cannot wait to welcome the Championship outfit to Mill Road and said: “I’m really looking forward to next week’s game.

“It’s exciting to be able to play a Championship side at our own ground.

“Hopefully, we will get a lot of people through the gates and get some much-needed revenue for the club, following last season’s problems.

“When the friendly was agreed, they did say they would bring a couple of familiar faces to get some game time and I think Sami Hyypia will be here, looking at some of the development side.

“It should be a great occasion for the club.”

Despite all the excitement surrounding the fixture, Butler is aware of the disappointment of telling players they are not included in the 18-man squad for the game.

He said: “A few of the lads who don’t make the squad won’t be happy and it will be difficult to tell them they have not made it.

“It is such a big game for the players to show what they can do against high-quality opposition that everyone will want to be in the side at some point.

“The main thing I want from the players is to see a good level of performance at this point of pre-season, the result is a lot less important.”

As well as Brighton, Arundel have played higher-division Worthing and will also meet Sholing, who won the FA Vase last year.

On why he has chosen such a tough pre-season for his players, Butler said: “It’s important for the players to test themselves against tough opponents.

“I want to see what my players are about, against these sort of sides. I want to see who is willing to put that effort in and close down and really show what they have got. This level of opposition will give the players a feel of what it is like to play at that level.”

Ticket prices for the Albion game are £5 adults and £3 for senior citizens and children under-16.

n Arundel drew 2-2 at home to Ryman League Worthing in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday evening.

Mullets found themselves two goals up within the first 15 minutes. Rory Biggs opened the scoring inside two minutes when Rebels keeper Chris Cook played the ball to him from a goal-kick and he slotted home.

Biggs was then the provider as his through ball found new signing Barney Boutwood, who coolly side-footed home.

However, goals from Rebels’ trialist Dan Simmonds and a George Hayward penalty pegged Arundel back and the game finished all square.

Mullets boss Butler was pleased with his side’s performance and said: “I thought the lads played really well. We could have been four or five up in the first half.

“Adam (Hinshelwood) came up to me at the end and said he thought we were the better side and we will have no problems next year.”

Arundel have managed to retain the services of all their players from last season. They have also added Boutwood, from Ferring, and Jordan Clark has also re-signed, after finishing last season with Mullets.