Albion might not have been at Worthing for their annual friendly last night but there was a strong Seagulls connection as the Alan Pook era kicked off in earnest.

Rebels' run-out with Steve Coppell's men, scheduled for last night, had been called off due to Albion's concerns over the state of the Woodside Road pitch.

However Pook, Worthing's recently arrived manager and director, kept the Ryman League club in the spotlight by announcing his first key signing and an array of off-field appointments.

With Freeman, the former Albion striker, away on honeymoon, Rebels' other two headline signings played their roles to perfection as the Woodside boardroom staged surely its first press conference in years.

On the one hand, Johnson, the rock solid defender listening carefully to the various announcements before quietly talking of his plans to help Worthing into the Conference.

On the other, high-flying goal getter Sam Francis, who stayed around just long enough to sign his registration form before heading to Gatwick to jet off on a summer break.

Johnson played 132 League games for Albion, then had a spell at Colchester before joining non-League Canvey, with whom he cut short a contract which still had a year to run.

He said: "It's a fantastic move to come back down to the South Coast. I've been away for three and a half years and to get involved with something as big as this and the chance of getting to the Conference is an excellent opportunity.

"Success will be getting to the Conference. I want to help this club get off the ground."

Johnson believes Worthing have the set up to fulfil years of unrealised potential.

He added: "I've been at Canvey and the stadium is nothing compared to this. We've got everything here to get us off the ground."

Freeman's player-coach role will involve working with youngsters as Rebels look to link up with local schools and football clubs.

It might be the Alan Pook show now at Woodside but his supporting cast of assistants, coaches and kit men runs into double figures.

It includes two title winning managers from last season.

Peter Edwards, boss at Withdean as they topped the Combined Counties League, has been made chief scout while Danny Bloor, dismissed by Burgess Hill after taking them to the County League crown is joint assistant along with Keith Rowley, who remains from the set up put in place by previous Rebels boss Barry Lloyd.

Last night's announcement of two year deals for Chris Dicker, goalkeeper Ross Standen, Owen Hill and Clay Lamont means Pook has completed three quarters of his 16-man squad, all on contract.

Those four played for Withdean last season alongside Francis who bagged 56 goals as they won the Combined Counties League.

There is however doubt over the future of unsettled winger Wes Lopez, on whom the club have placed a £5,000 price tag.

Bognor and Crawley are believed to be interested, though not at that sort of money.