Paine positive after returning as Swans manager

Paine is a familiar figure in Sussex football circles and is back in the game after being announced as the man to succeed Adam Bardouleau. He brings to the club extensive experience, having played for Worthing, Steyning, who he helped to win the Sussex Senior Cup, Storrington, Horsham YMCA and Ferring and managed Steyning, Storrington, Worthing U21s, who he led to the Isthmian U21 League Champions of Champions Cup, East Preston FC, who were promoted from division one of the SCFL under him, and Pagham. Paine did not want to talk about his short reign at Pagham at the start of this season but said he was delighted to be back in management. He told us: “In hindsight having a few months off has been a good thing, it’s given me a chance to rest and have some time away. “I’m delighted to be back in football at a club I know well and with people who I know and can trust having played and managed there in the past. “Having now had six months off’ I’m really looking forward to getting going again whenever that may be! “I’m in the process of putting together my management team which will be announced in due course.” Paine said he knew some of the Storrington squad he had inherited but not all of them. But he said he was now well under way with contacting each member of the squad. “I know the club fairly well and a few of the players I know but a fair few I don’t,,” he said. “I have spent the past few days contacting all the current players mainly to introduce myself and to see what their plans are for the new season. I have been very pleased with the positive response of the players and look forward to meeting them properly once we can get pre-season under way.” Paine is not making any wild predictions about what he, his staff and players can achieve and said the main hope was to make sure they enjoyed their football. “The aim is for us all, me, management team, players and people behind the scenes to enjoy ourselves,” Paine said. “Clearly we want to win football matches and if we can win more than we lose and be in the top half and perhaps have a decent cup run then I’d be happy with that as a start.” A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton: In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers. Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. Stay safe, and best wishes.