There were 1,200 supporters packed into Old Barn Way on the last day of Ralf Rangnick’s now famous season playing for Southwick.

It felt like the focal point of Sussex non-league football.

Rangnick – confirmed yesterday as interim Manchester United manager - had made the last of his 11 first team appearances by then.

The ball-playing midfielder had scored his seven goals for the reserves (a tally which, while complete stats are not available, suggests he played more games for the second team than for the firsts).

The County League title for 1979-80 was up for grabs and Chichester got the point they needed by drawing 0-0.

Southwick would have grabbed top spot had prolific Micky Edmonds not missed a penalty ten minutes from time.

They had to settle for being runners-up instead.

Heady days for the Wickers. Days Rangnick still holds dear.

Now the Russell Martin Foundation, who have taken over the lease of the rundown ground, want to get back to something like those heights.

They have ambitious plans for a footballing hub for all ages, including senior non-league football on a 3G pitch.

Rangnick played his part, donating £1,000 to a fighting fund and talking about what Southwick means to him.

His former team-mate Adie Bachelor, 63, is now a trustee of the RMF and can hardly wait to see the old place restored to former glories.

Bachelor said: “In 1979-80, when Ralf was here, it was regarded as one of the best grounds in the County League.

“Now it is absolutely disastrous. It is in a complete and utter mess.

“The Russell Martin Foundation won the lease around January.

“We are liaising with Adur District Council and the Football Foundation about redeveloping the site.

The Argus:

Southwick 1979-80, back from left: Alex Siveyer, Paul Binney, Adie Bachelor, Everton Ifill, Alan Dovey, David Plant, Mick Chalcraft, Max (physio), Tony Hall (manager).
Front: Micky Edmonds, Jimmy Collins (assistant manager), Trevor Still, Paul Flood, Sam Brown, Ralf Rangnick, Phil Quinlan. 

 

“Rather than just repairing it, we are almost knocking it all down and starting again. It’s that bad.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to create one of the best football community stadiums in Sussex.

“We are quite ambitious about what we are trying to do to serve the local community at all ages.

“We are looking at a 3G pitch. We are very excited about it and we are very close to getting started.

“We are getting all the usual permissions and talking to the council and the Football Foundation.

“In two or three years when it is done, it could once again be one of the best grounds in Sussex.”

There are currently two Southwick teams, both playing some way down the pyramid.

It will be two or three years before one or both are back at Old Barn Way.

But youth football could return sooner, once health and safety hazards are removed.

Ultimate plans include disability football plus health and education programmes in the clubhouse.

Bachelor said: “Old Barn Way is a place where I played more football than anywhere else and it is dear to my heart.

“I played Sunday League football there as well for Alpine Rovers for about 15 seasons.

“It is so sad to see it in such an awful state.

“What brings it to life is the new manager of Manchester United played there.

“It couldn’t be better for us in so many ways.

“We are going to reach out to local businesses and corporates to help us with investment, sponsorships and partnerships to help develop the site.

“The Football Foundation can advance serious money to do this but we as the Russell Martin Foundation will need to raise substantial funds too.”

Rangnick, a university student, and Bachelor joined Wickers at about the same time as 21-year-olds.

Having shown what he could do in the reserves, Rangnick broke into a tight-knit first team squad for a derby against Steyning in October.

His habit of turning up two hours before a game has been well documented.

Bachelor said: “We weren’t bosom buddies and we didn’t keep in touch afterwards but I remember quite a bit.

“He was a relatively quiet guy, a really nice guy, not an extrovert.

“He was a skilful midfield player, quite slightly built, very professional in his approach.”

They didn’t know it but Wickers, under boss Tony Hall and coaches Jimmy Collins and Norman Gall, may well have been Gegenpressing their way around Sussex back in 1979-80.

Their style, and that of teams around the County League, certainly gave young Rangnick food for thought.

Bachelor said: “He has referred to the style of football being more physical, kick and rush.

“He says that was really important in his development as a coach.

“It wasn’t just at Southwick. He went and watched Arsenal and other first division games and found that style there too.

“He is credited now with high pressing and getting the ball back quickly.

“In some ways that comes from old style English football which is run around a lot, tackle hard and get stuck in.

“I don’t think our possession was as good but we were certainly pressing!

“He talks fondly about his time at Southwick, even though it’s non-league football.

“He talks about how it has helped him on his journey and that is lovely to hear.”