Bognor Regis hoping for a change of luck in The Trophy.
Bognor Regis Town v Maidstone United
The FA Carlsberg Trophy
Second Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 31 October 2009
Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis FC
Winning clubs receive £3000
Click here for fixtures
In the last 12 months, their clubhouse has been burned down by an arsonist, they were deducted points for going into administration, players walked out in a mass exodus and they were relegated at the end of the season.
The 2009-10 campaign has started little better for Bognor Regis Town, who currently sit rock bottom in the Isthmian Premier Division with just one league win under their belts.
So the visit of Maidstone United on Saturday in The FA Trophy Second Round Qualifying offers a welcome opportunity to kick-start their season, according to club secretary Simon Cook.
"It's been a difficult time for the club but we've got an incredibly young and inexperienced squad and that's shown at the start of the season," he revealed.
"But there is a lot of talent here and the boys are learning quickly so I'm sure we will soon start winning some games."
Not only are Bognor expecting a renaissance on the pitch, but in two weeks time they will unveil a brand new club house after the old one was razed to the ground in an indiscriminate arson attack a year ago.
"It will give us a great boost both in a financial sense and in terms of morale when the club house opens," explained Cook.
"It's been difficult for everything to operate as it should at a small club like ours. We were just very unlucky."
Surprisingly, attendances at Nyewood Lane continue to grow despite the poor form shown by Darin Killpartrick's side and Cook thinks that reflects the position of the club in the seaside town's local community.
"Bognor hasn't always been big on football and people usually associate us with Butlin's but we try to play our part," he added.
"Our gates have grown by 50 per cent this season and I'm sure we will give our new supporters something to cheer about on Saturday."