Lancers to run a ladies team in upcoming season

Jason Downer will manage the side in the Sussex County Women & Girls League women’s division, having previously managed Hangleton Rangers girls’ team for five years.

The former Lancing goalkeeper hopes to put a young team together and said: “I approached both Martin Gander (Lancing chairman) and Richard Whittington (Lancing first team manager) about the possibility of the team. They were both great and after chats with the committee it was set up.

“We held trials recently and out of the 27 players who attended, the oldest was 21 years of age.

“I want to build a good young squad here and push them to the maximum.

“In my previous role, I worked with younger players and that again is what I would like to do here at Lancing.”

Despite possessing a relatively inexperienced and youthful squad, Downer is optimisitc that the team’s first season can be a success.

He said: “It’s difficult to target a particular place in the table to finish as we are not yet sure how many teams will be in our league.

“But, hopefully, we can get off to a good start and who knows what could happen from there.”