Crumplin looks to bigger things

The Surrey club has been interviewing for a successor to John Rains, who is vacating the position, and Crumplin got on the short list but was not offered the post.

Sutton have yet to announce who will take the job but ex-Crawley manager Francis Vines has been the favourite.

Crumplin will not be at Ringmer next season if they qualify for promotion but cannot go up owing to the need for ground improvements.

The Anchor Field club, who currently lead the top division of the County League by eight points, have applied for an extension to the March 31 deadline on the works required (see story on page two).

Crumplin said: 'The County League is no good for me, I'm ambitious and want to manage at a higher level.

'I said when I took the job that was my intention and I think I've delivered all I can.

I won't be doing it at Ringmer in the County League next season.

'If Ringmer want me to stay for the rest of this season that's fine but I'd be a hypocrite to remain in the County League after all I've said about clubs that have not taken advantage of promotion.

'I've had no problem travelling down to Sussex three times a week from my London home but I do have a young family to consider.

'I've had a great relationship with the chairman (Richard Soan) but I do feel some promises have been broken.'

Lewes chairman Terry Parris could shed no light on the rumour that is linking Rooks's manager Steve King to the Eastbourne Borough manager's job.

Borough are currently struggling near the foot of the Conference South.

The conjecture has appeared on the Rooks's fans's forum and a well-known manager from a outside the Sussex area rang the Express sports desk to ask if we had heard the rumour and was it true.

Parris said: 'We've heard nothing and as far as we are concerned Steve King is happy at the Dripping Pan.

'He is buying a property at Sovereign Harbour and that's how this rumour may have got about.'

With no appreciable rain forecast The Dripping Pan pitch should be in better condition tomorrow for the visit of Bishop's Stortford, who will be no pushovers given that Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Cambridge City was their first defeat in 11 league fixtures.

Danger man for Stortford is Steve Morison '“ remember how his pace destroyed Lewes in a 4-1 FA Trophy defeat last season? The striker has 12 Conference South goals this campaign and ominously has scored four in his last three outings.

Lewes won 3-0 at Woodside Park in November, Jean-Michel Sigere scoring twice with the other coming from an own goal.

Lewes have a great chance of winning the Sussex Senior Cup this season after Horsham won through to the final with a 1-0 victory over Crawley at Worthing on Wednesday.

Lewes play Worthing in the other semi-final at Horsham on Wednesday, April 5, kick-off 7.30pm.