Clean sheets will be key to Bognor success for Cook

Joe Cook in pre-pre-season training with the Rocks / Picture: Martin Denyer

Bognor defender Joe Cook is excited and relieved to be back in action at the Nye Camp now the team have resumed training.

The centre half impressed on Rocks duty at the start of last season, featuring in 17 of Bognor’s 18 matches before the extended break. That followed a successful loan spell from Havant and Waterlooville in the truncated 2019-20 season.

Now, having spent eight months on the sidelines, Cook is keen to dust off his boots and continue where he left off, helping Bognor to a potential title charge this season.

"We’ve had a few chats with Jack [Pearce] and Robbie [Blake] already and it looks like they’re going to have a go at it this year," Cook said.

"With some of the signings we’ve made already and a couple of signings hopefully still to come, we should have a really good chance of being up there."

Following Brad Lethbridge’s departure to hometown club Gosport Borough and Tommy Leigh’s likely exit to League One outfit Accrington Stanley, Pearce and Blake are in need of a few additions to bolster the squad’s depth in attack.

Fortunately, according to Cook, new arrivals and trialists have shown real promise in training and look capable of filling the void.

Coach Robbie Blake spoke very highly of his players on the first day of training, commending their commitment and steely determination after fitness sessions with coach Neil Cockcroft.