Tony Ropke does not agree with this new-fangled idea of squad rotation.

So he has come up with a rotation policy of his own by doing the rounds of the Sussex clubs.

Ropke's recent switch from Redhill to Crowborough takes his tally of clubs to at least 14 in an 18-year career, though there may be others he has forgotten about.

He admitted: "I get bored sometimes but it's not a personality problem. I just like to see clubs run properly. I've never rubbed any of my clubs up the wrong way. I've always been one for training twice a week and I like to see a tight run ship.

"I'm 33 now and I just want to play football. That's why I left Redhill.

"Russell Mason is a good lad but I didn't want to be part of his Vialli squad system."

Peacehaven-based Ropke is one of the old school, with a career dating back to the days when Oakwood and Three Bridges were real forces in the County League.

He said: "I was 15 when I first signed for Oakwood. I went on to Bridges with the late Bobby Nash and then to Burgess Hill.

"I moved away for a while and had four years at Wisbech and, when I came back south, I had two seasons at Whyteleafe before joining Micky Fogden at Southwick.

"We went up from division two to one and they were really good times. Herbie Smith and Glen Geard were at Shoreham and we had some great derbies.

"For enthusiasm I have never known a chairman like Roy Pollard at Southwick. But in the end it went pear-shaped and I went onto Ringmer and Redhill."

So what about spells at Whitehawk, Lewes, Peacehaven and Horsham, who he skippered to victory in a fraught relegation play-off?

"Yes I did play for them as well. I am not sure how I got to Horsham but I remember the play-off. We were really hyped up."

And didn't he ever turn out for Crawley? "Just one game on a trial basis. The travelling would have been too much."

And what about his stint with Broadbridge Heath?

"Yes, I was there too. I suppose I have had a few clubs when you think about it."

He added: "Glen Geard is the best player I have come up against. He's still a class act.

"Dave Treadwell is a good keeper, Andy Lutwyche has come out of parks football to play for Sussex and Daren Newman is someone you don't want to come up against too regularly."

The solid reputation Ropke has built around the county should stand him in good stead when he pursues his ambition of moving into coaching or management.

But there is one club where he is unlikely to ever surface.

He admitted: "One promise I made myself at Southwick was that I would never play for Shoreham. I would never go back on that."