Sidley United's defence of their County League title has already hit problems before a ball has been kicked.

Key midfielder Adam Day, son of last season's championship winning boss Dickie, is getting married on August 11, the opening Saturday of the new campaign.

To make matters worse, the reserves will also be hit by unavailability as regular Ian Vinall is also getting married on the same day.

Joint-manager Glen Sully said: "We have asked for the game to be played on a Friday night or switched to a later date. If it goes ahead it will crucify us as we will be missing six or seven players at least."

Sully and Peter Heritage have taken over from Dickie Day as joint-managers for the forthcoming season, although Day, who is now chairman, will be at the helm when Sidley take on Burgess Hill in the Norman Wingate Trophy on July 31 as both his replacements are on holiday.

Sidley's pre-season preparations have been going well under Sully, with all of last season's league and John O'Hara League Cup-winning squad re-signing.

Chris Scott has also signed from Rye United, while a couple of new players are in the pipeline.

Sully said: "It is no secret we would like another forward. Last season Gerard Moyse and Peter Heritage were injured in the latter stages, as was Peter Baker, and we had to convert midfielders Paul Balch and Simon Corke to forwards which left us a bit thin up front.

"We're really looking for a couple of fresh faces just to keep everyone on their toes."

Pre-season training has seen a bumper turnout .

Glen Geard believes his Ringmer side could be an outside bet for honours next week.

Geard has already signed Saltdean United pair Terry Cooper and Stuart Corlett as well as Sean Randell from Peacehaven.

He also hopes to sign Saltdean goalkeeper Jamie Bryant and his former team-mate, Warren Buss.

All of last year's squad are back, with Glen Davies, Shaun Grice and Kevin Townsend put on contract.

Geard said: "Hopefully we will be knocking on the door. We are looking to improve on what we did last year and hopefully things are looking bright."

Ringmer are currently looking for a physio to work with them this season.

Crowborough are looking for sponsorship from local companies to help with team building.

The club, relegated to Division Three at the end of last season, are hoping to raise money to pay players' expenses and match fees.

Secretary Phil Sharman said: "We pay some of our players a modest appearance fee and would like to sign several of the youngsters on contracts this season, which would involve win bonuses.

"Unfortunately, at the minute, our budget doesn't stretch very far so we have come up with an individual player sponsorship idea.

"It is sometimes difficult to encourage youth players to play on a Saturday as this is the only time that A-level students can earn a bit of money. We need to try and find a way of encouraging them to play, even if this means we have to pay them what they would earn by working."

Anyone who can help, should contact Phil Sharman on 01892 668176.

Meanwhile, Stuart Nowell, Paul Boggis and Malcolm Boyes have been elected on to the committee.