Canvey Island are back in competitive action this Saturday, starting with a long road trip to newly promoted Chichester City to kick off the new Isthmian Premier season.

Our Opponents

The Lillywhites are a brand new face at Step 3, with this being the clubs maiden season at this level since their foundation in 2000 - from the merger of the former Chichester City and Portfield FC.

They will be raring for the challenge though, with the club big strides towards success in recent times, spurned off the back of a brilliant FA Cup run in 19/20 season, where they travelled to football league side Tranmere Rovers in the 1st Round Proper.
With a new artificial pitch installed at Oaklands Park, the club had a terrific season in last year's Isthmian Div 1 South East, with a run of 9 wins in their final 11 league games catapulting them into the playoffs. There, they beat a much fancied Ramsgate away from home, before crushing Three Bridges 5-0 in the final.

Manager Miles Rutherford will be keen to see if his team can replicate that good form at the level above, and he's maintained a strong core from his promotion winning side. Players like Isaac Bello and Curtis Da Costa were ever present throughout last season, and the goals of Ethan Pritchard and Jimmy Wild will be vital if they can be scored at the level above.

This game see's a first ever meeting between the two clubs - so there is all to play for in getting the first win on the staticians spreadsheet!

The Gulls
Canvey meanwhile, have been making their own preparations for the new season after a summer of change in the squad.

With several players departing Park Lane, including popular stalwarts like Bradley Sach, Rob Girdlestone and Evans Kouassi, a raft of new faces have joined the ranks, with players like Finlay Dorrell, Ollie Parsons and Ewan Sanchez, among others, providing a fresh edge and real promise alongside long serving starters such as Jamie Salmon and Conor Hubble. Former fan favorites Bobby Mason and Kane Gilbert have also returned to the squad, meaning the Gulls have a strong XI on paper to start the new season.

The team have impressed in pre season, with good performances against the likes of Southend United and a Colchester United XI, mixed in with impressive flash points against local rivals Concord Rangers and Aveley, meaning that Brad Wellman and his staff have plenty of confidence going into the new campaign.

They'll know the challenge a freshly promoted side full of confidence can bring though - having recently been that underdog themselves - and with a challenging opening month ahead, they'll be looking assert themselves as an established Step 3 side to start the season right with a win on the road.

***
Yellow Army, we hope you've all had a lovely summer break, and we can't wait to spend another whirlwind season with you all.

Fresh adventures and exciting matchups lay ahead, and we hope you can bring that brilliant away support to back the team across the South East once more this season, starting on Saturday.

We wish all travelling a safe and easy journey down to Chichester.

Come on you Gulls!

Kick Off - 3:00pm

Admission Prices
Adults - £10
Concessions - £6
Students / U18s - £4
U16s - £2

Coach Travel
A Supporters Coach will depart the Steves Taxi's Stadium at 10am sharp.
*THIS COACH IS SOLD OUT*

Parking
Plenty of free parking is available to supporters at the Northgate Car Park next to the ground.

Train
Chichester (Southern) 0.9m

Bus
Franklin Place (50/CH1/U7)