Now that the news of relegation from the SCFL Premier Division has sunk in, and with one last league game left to play, we can start to look to the future as we embrace a new challenge next season for our Men’s First Team.
We would like to thank manager Kieran Ridley and his coaching team; Issi; Sam; Dan; James; Dane; Matt and Lee for their hard work and dedication this season, and to each and every player in the squad who showed us great commitment and resilience throughout a tough campaign.
The club are pleased to confirm that Kieran Ridley will remain as manager for the 2025/26 season.
A statement from our Chairman:
I am delighted to announce that Kieran Ridley will continue as Mens First Team Manager for the 2025/26 season.
This decision may come as a surprise to some people due to recent results, but in fact it was quite simple.
In my many years at Saltdean I have never seen a First Team manager do, and give so much, for the club. Don’t get me wrong results do matter, but I believe they are not the defining factor in being a good manager.
Since joining us a couple of years ago Kieran’s enthusiasm, hard work and devotion has been infectious and has spread throughout the club. His input, not just on the pitch, has been incredible and much appreciated by all at the club.
I am convinced he is the right person to lead the Men’s side into the next period of the club’s history.
Great changes are happening at the club and it’s future is extremely bright.
I would like to quote a recent comment from one of the Club’s biggest supporters about recent events,
“what has happened is just a small bump in a long road.”
Bob Thomas / Chairman SUFC
As a club we are delighted that Kieran has agreed to stay on to manage the team, to continue to develop the young squad and to push on next season in Division 1.
With the near completion of our new facilities, and groundworks for the new 3G pitch about to commence, everyone at the club is in good spirits and excited for what the future holds for all our teams.
And finally…a few words from our Men’s First Team Manager Kieran:
I’m absolutely gutted to have been relegated. Make no mistake, I am competitive and I want really to be judged on what happens on the pitch. I take full responsibility for what goes on there, and I want to be the one who leads the recovery from that.
The club is in a good place, the work going on behind the scenes is immense and will totally transform Hill Park, the committee and volunteers at the club make it an amazing place to be, and I can’t thank my coaching team enough for the support they’ve given me.
And then there’s the players – what a group of lads they are. I absolutely love working with them and if it wasn’t for them, this job would have gotten the better of me a long time ago.
So I’m happy that I have been given the privilege of continuing as manager of this club, and I’m proud to do so. Relegation hurts, but I’m confident there’s a positive future to be had at this football club.
