Bognor and Worthing trips on boss Paynes league timetable

Buckets and spades at the ready, Wood's campaign to regain their Ryman Premier Division status at the first attempt begins on August 19 beside the seaside at Bognor Regis.

In a tough opening month to the new league season, Colin Payne's men face home matches with Bedford Town and relegated Walton & Hersham before an August Bank Holiday Monday outing to Worthing.

The Wood boss said: 'It's vital that we make a good start, but it won't be easy!

Bognor away on the opening day is great for us, and we've got big plans to get the fans involved ,, hopefully we'll take two coaches and make a weekend of it!

Bognor had an average season last time out, after going close the year before, but I've always been a big fan of Worthing; they're a powerful side and very good upfront.

Bedford and Walton will be difficult too, and we have to improve our home record from last season, which was appalling!

But the boys are working hard in training, and we're really looking forward to it.

I'm sure the other teams are looking at us and saying, 'blimey, I don't fancy that game too much!''

With the new term just around the corner, Payne is now pruning his squad to meet the challenges ahead, and there have been some major casualties this past week, most notably out of contract Alan McCarthy, who has been released.

The 28-year-old former QPR defender was Wood's longest serving player, despite joining the team only three years ago, and his departure sees the last of Bob Makin's successful team depart as Payne stamps his own identity on Meadow Park.

After making his debut in August 1997, McCarthy formed a formidable backline alongside Steve Daly and Garry Nisbet in the Makin-led side that finished up runners-up in the Ryman League whilst progressing further in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy than ever before.

He won a Herts Senior Cup winners medal last year, and faced Luton in the Sky-televised FA Cup tie.

McCarthy had captained the club following Nisbet's retirement and played 126 times for Wood, only three times as a substitute, scoring three goals, two from the penalty spot.

He is likely to join Premier Division Hendon.

Also leaving Meadow Park is midfielder Adam Schafer, 24, after a single season.

This is something of a surprise, as Schafer was second only to Andre Delisser in the appearance charts last term, with 48 outings (9 as sub), scoring once.

Payne said, 'Adam didn't really want to go, and he was a regular right up until the end last season, but I've already got other players in his position that I've signed, such as Ian Savage and hopefully Otis Huchings.'

It is understood that his former club Gravesend are favourites for Schafer's signature.

Veteran centre back Terry Howard is to undertake a two-week trial at Braintree Town with a view to a permanent move.

If successful, he will be given a free transfer, despite having another year to run on his contract.

Neil Sharp is another who will not be returning to Wood.

The 21-year-old defender achieved a unique place in the club's history last winter when he represented the Cayman Islands in a World Cup warm-up match, becoming Wood's first ever international!

Payne said: 'He's currently in Canada, where he lived for nine or ten years; he likes the lifestyle out there, and he's told us that he won't be coming back. I know that he found it difficult getting a job in England.'

After making his debut last October, Sharp appeared 30 times (1 as sub).

He also has another year to run on his current contract, and Wood will retain his registration for that time.

Payne continues to negotiate with Lee Harvey, who has now returned from holiday, and although the locally-born centre back has stated his desire to move to Meadow Park following his loan spell, there are still many hurdles to overcome with his current club, St Albans, it seems.

There is the possibility that the transfer of ex-Aldershot defender Neil Baker could now be back on, now that his move to Basingstoke has fallen through. He will be training with Wood this week.

Payne commented: 'There are a lot of decisions to be made by me in the next week or so. I have to get the numbers of the squad down to fit our budget ,, we can't keep everybody ,, and people like Harvey and Hutchings have to make up their minds now.'