‘Some of the players deserve to play higher’

Glenn Turnbull will start a new era at Dover Road by trying to blend some of the existing Moneyfields squad with the cream of his current US Portsmouth team.

He expects some of the Moneys squad to follow former boss Dave Carter to AFC Portchester.

But he is hopeful of persuading some to stay and bringing in some of the squad that have so impressed for USP since the start of the 2019/20 season.

‘I won’t be walking into a dressing room there not knowing anyone,’ said Turnbull, who spent four years at Moneys managing the youth team and reserves.

‘Connor (Bailey), Hutch (Steve Hutchings), Curt Da Costa and Tyler Giddings were all there when I was there before.

‘There’s other players like Ryan Pennery and Connor Hoare who I also know.’

In addition to four members of his backroom staff, Turnbull plans to take a handful of his US players with him, believing they can make the step up in standard.

‘Some of the players I have deserve to be playing at a higher level,’ said Turnbull.

‘Bognor were keen on (defender) Tom Cain (pictured) last year, they must think he’s capable of playing at that level.

‘Tom Price (goalkeeper) has played at that level for Gosport.’

Price could well be one player Turnbull looks to sign if Jake Hallett - Moneys’ No 1 shot-stopper in the past two seasons - follows Carter to Portchester.

It would be a surprise, meanwhile, if Turnbull didn’t look to take playmaker James Franklyn - top scorer this season with 15 goals in 16 appearances and one of the outstanding performers at step 6 in the last 18 months - with him to Moneys.