Skipper Duncan Jupp is desperate to give Bognor fans something to cheer after a miserable eight months at Nyewood Lane.

The defender, who played in the Premier League for Wimbledon, has seen the club lurch from one crisis to another since his arrival in January.

Virtually the whole squad walked out at the end of last season due to financial problems and although Jupp stayed he has been unable to prevent the Rocks slipping to the bottom of Blue Square south this season with just two wins from 19 games.

To make matters worse the clubhouse at Nyewood Lane was destroyed in an arson attack and Jack Pearce, the heartbeat of the club for the last 38 years, was diagnosed with cancer.

Victory against holders Ebbfleet United in the FA Trophy tomorrow would certainly lift some of the gloom hanging over Nyewood Lane as well as giving the coffers a much needed boost.

Jupp said: “It has been a tough season so far but there have been signs in the last month or so that things are starting to turn around.

“It was a completely new team at the start of the season but we have been playing together for a while now and results are improving slowly. We’ve picked up a few wins and when we lose it is only by the odd goal or two so we just need a bit of luck.

“It is a big game for us tomorrow because a win would see us go into the Christmas period with a bit of confidence. It is going to be a tough match and every one of our players will need to be on top of their game if we are going to get a result.

“But who knows in football? I’ve played in plenty of cup ties where my team has been the underdog so if Ebbsfleet show any complacency we have got to take advantage.”

Former Ghana international striker Jones Awuah is set to make his full home debut along with fellow new signing Nathan Lynch as boss Mick Jenkins looks to solve the club’s problems in front of goal. Jenkins is also waiting to hear whether Portsmouth trio Loui Castles, Jordan Hughes and Billy Goddard will be available but has no injury worries.

Jenkins said: “The fans have been fantastic this season considering the circumstances so it would be nice to give them something to cheer. They are the holders so it is not going to be easy but we have already beaten Lewes this season so we’ll give it a real go.”