Price relishing chance to make Lions roar

Price took over as manager of the Sussex League first-division side in April after Carl Stabler moved into his new role of director of football at Nyetimber Lane.

And the 43-year-old is looking forward to getting the last word on football matters in his maiden managerial job.

He said: “I was doing a lot of the work last season that a manager would do, but as I was only a coach I could not have the final say on matters.

“I’m looking forward to being given free rein next season, though, as I can put my own stamp on the side and get things going.”

The Lions finished sixth in division one last season after leading the table for long periods.

Stabler’s move to the boardroom caused little disturbance to the side, who had already slipped from top spot by the time Price moved into the managerial hotseat.

Price is hoping to improve on last term’s form as the club aim for a step up to the Ryman League.

He added: “We obviously want to be at the top, and I think we’re very capable of getting promotion next year – we’re certainly the club closest to achieving it.

“We did very well until the second half of the season – we had a few mixed results.

“This season we’ll look to mix it up internally and get the youth and the reserves integrated with the first team.”

With the new season just two months away, Price will be relying on existing players to push the club to the right end of the table.

He admits the club have been in talks with new players looking to join, but fears that some of his squad will be looking to move elsewhere.

He said: “It is very difficult to bring in players.

“We have a lot of committed individuals at this football club.

“I’m sure we will lose a couple of them but we’ve been talking to a number of players who are interested in coming to Pagham.”

DAN BRETT