Fareham boss ‘chuffed to bits’ after entire squad stay loyal following ‘half decent’ 2019/20 season

Pete Stiles is 'chuffed to bits' with the loyalty shown by his Fareham Town squad this summer.
Fareham manager Pete StilesFareham manager Pete Stiles
Fareham manager Pete Stiles

The Creeksiders boss has managed to persuade every single player from last term to return once again for the 2020/21 campaign.

But not content with what he had, Stiles has also signed six new players as Fareham aim to push on from a 'decent' effort last term prior to the curtailment of the season following the coronavirus outbreak.

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Casey Bartlett-Scott and Ben Wilding have arrived having spent the past four years on scholarship deals in America.

Colden Common duo Dave Paskins and Brad Appleby have also arrived.

Paskins brings with him a goal threat - having struck 54 goals in the last two seasons for Hampshire Premier Leaguers Colden Common.

Paskins netted 30 times in 35 league and cup games in 2018/19, and last term netted 24 in 29 appearances.

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Meanwhile, former Bashley goalkeeper Dan Kempson and Callum Benfield - brother of Fareham striker Josh - complete Stiles’ summer business.

Fareham were the fourth highest scorers in the Wessex League Premier Division last term with 69 goals.

They were the leading marksmen in home games - netting 48 times in only 15 league matches, including a 7-1 hammering of leaders Alresford.

'I’m chuffed to bits,' said a delighted Stiles.

‘It’s not very often that you retain 100 per cent of your squad from the previous season.

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‘But we’ve done that and added where we felt we needed strengthening.

‘We felt we were a half decent side last year and we want to push on from that.

‘I’m quite looking forward to it.

'We were the highest goalscorers at home, so we were obviously doing something right.'

Things are moving in the right direction for Fareham off the field as well.

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The club have formed a new committee with a view to attracting increased sponsorship and developing a corporate interest.

Despite a bleak financial outlook, as the country looks forward following the pandemic, Fareham are bucking the trend.

Work is ongoing on installing lots of additional advertising boards from last season.

'We’ve had a lot of changes off the field,' Stiles added.

‘We’ve had a new committee formed with more people on it.

‘We’re trying to do a lot more advertising, bringing in more sponsors and corporate days - these sort of things to push the club on and move in the right direction.

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‘We’ve got 22 additional sponsor boards from last season that we’re in the process of putting up.'

Fareham have been back in pre-season training for a few weeks and kick-off their friendly fixtures in Southampton at Hampshire Premier Leaguers Bush Hill on Saturday.

The Creeksiders then host Southern League South Division side Gosport Borough next Tuesday.