Harty on Albion, Rebels and Chipps’ tenty 10ty

Without wishing to tempt fate, but by the time you read this, anything from the trip to South Wales will see the Albion keeping up with the Championship pacesetters.

Yes, critics will point to fortunate events in both of the opening games, and I’m realistic enough to know that the Albion could easily be looking at two points instead of the six, but they’re not, and a good start on the pitch at the Amex will only make the whole club stronger.

A rumoured Albion transfer target, Robbie Keane, has this week joined LA Galaxy for a fee not out of Albion’s price range.

But, as I understand it, from sources outside the club but close to the player, wage demands of £60,000 a week, rightly put the Irishman out of the Albion’s reach.

I would be very surprised if the Albion don’t embark on more transfer activity before the window closes on Wednesday week. And, when they do, it will be quality acquisitions.

As I said last week, overnight we’ve become the big club we have always aspired to.

In time, I still believe we will become a top-flight club and, more importantly, stay there, so Mark Farrington-like purchases are not on the agenda.

With a trio of home games on the horizon, including what I hope will be a full house for the visit of Sunderland in the League Cup next week, the momentum can only be maintained.

These are great times at the Albion. My only wish is that every fan who lived through the dark days at the Goldstone, Gillingham and Withdean is getting a ticket.

Worthing FC kick their Ryman League campaign off this weekend with a visit to Faversham.

As has been reported in this newspaper, I have the privilege of being involved at the club as under-18 manager.

Therefore, I have witnessed the workings of the club’s pre-season. Clearly, I’m not giving away any state secrets here, but in manager Chris White the club has one of the most genuine and knowledgeable people I have ever come into contact with in local football.

Supporters, especially at Woodside Road, are quick to vent their spleens, either verbally or on the internet, so I would ask them to be patient. The right man is in the hot seat, and success will come and, for the long-suffering fans, it will be worth the wait.

And, finally, good luck to Chippingdale with their annual Tenty 10ty tournament this weekend at the Rotary.

Every year the event is a testament to the drive and hard work of the likes of Paul Baker and Paul Wood and everyone at the club, but even more so in light of the carnage left behind by the recent “visitors” on the ground.