SURVIVAL IS JUST THE START FOR KOO AT FLEET

HE may have started his new role with just two players on the books, but Koo Dumbuya is relishing the opportunity of achieving the impossible dream at Fleet Town.

Dumbuya has taken on the unenviable job of lifting spirits at the cash-strapped Hampshire club after they lost their appeal against a controversial switch to the Southern League South & West division.

The Blues feared the decision could force them to fold, especially after their new London-based management team of Simon Haughney and Martin Grey walked away from the club without taking charge of a competitive match, taking all but two of their 15-man squad with them.

But alongside former Aldershot Town academy manager Sam Waters, local boy Dumbuya has taken on the challenge of leading a bright new future at Calthorpe Park with the initial aim of maintaining the club’s proud Step 4 status against all the odds.

“It’s going to be tough, we know that,” said the 47-year-old coach with extensive experience at the likes of Leicester City, AFC Wimbledon, Aldershot, Woking and Farnborough.

“This pre-season is all very late and we have had to start from scratch with a small budget for this level.

“Recruitment has been difficult these last couple of weeks, there’s no point in dressing it up. We’ve had about 26 players turn up and so far we’ve identified about ten who we think can play at this level and help this club compete.”

With the only target being survival, Dumbuya can at least work without overexpectancy at Calthorpe Park this season – and has pinpointed the achievements of Isthmian League side Corinthian-Casuals as a shining example of what can be achieved.

“The club just want to stay in this league but I am more ambitious than that, I want more,” he added ahead of the new-look squad’s first pre-season fixture against Tadley Calleva yesterday.

“Look at CorinthianCasuals, they have always struggled in the Bostik League at Step 4 with no budget, but with good contacts and a good coaching network behind them, they have managed to reach the play-offs two years running and have now won promotion.

“They have show everyone what can be done.”