The final of the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup is due to take place on Tuesday 7 May 2019 between Bognor Regis Town and Burgess Hill Town.

Bognor Regis Town vs. Burgess Hill Town
Sussex Senior Challenge Cup Final - sponsored by Luke & Luke Construction
Date: Tuesday 7 May 2019 
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: American Express Community Stadium, Village Way, Brighton, BN1 9BL

Bognor Regis Town will be fielding a young side as they bid to win the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup for the first time since 1987.

The Rocks’ squad for the final at the Amex against Burgess Hill includes a number of teenagers on loan from professional clubs, plus several players trying to work their way back up the football ladder after being released by Football League sides.

Manager Jack Pearce, who first won the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup with Bognor in 1980, admits the make-up of his squad follows a familiar pattern for the club - and one that has kept the club competitive in non-league football for a number of years.

Pearce said: “It is a very young side. Our model has never changed. We have always realised we will never be able to compete for the well-known top players. So we have to identify young players that we think one day will be top players, and we fully understand that when they do very well they are liable to attract attention from wealthier clubs than us higher up the pyramid.

“We have always worked on that model and that is the model that fits our situation. It is frustrating sometimes when you see your strikers go off to other clubs and do really well and you think I wonder what would have happened if we had been able to keep them. I understand the frustration our supporters suffer but money talks in football as we all know.”

Reaching the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup Final is the perfect end to a season of consolidation for the club after being relegated from National League South in 2017-18.

Pearce said: “A cup final is always something to look forward to. Whatever level of football you play at, it is always nice to get to a cup final and have something to play for at the end of the season.

“It would be ideal to finish the season by winning it. We will be going all out for a win to give the players something to look back on. I would be as pleased as anyone to see our supporters and our players have something to celebrate.”

Bognor beat Burgess Hill 8-0 in the Bostik League Premier last October but the Hillians have improved considerably since and Pearce is aware of the threat they pose.

He added: “We look forward to having a good tussle with Burgess Hill because the final will be good for them as well, as they have not had such a good season. It should be an evenly contested game. They have improved by miles since we played them in October and they have done really well lately.”

Ticket details:

Tickets for the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup Final, at the American Express Community Stadium, on Tuesday 7 May 2019 are still available and can be purchased online from Brighton & Hove Albion via seagullstickets.com.

Alternatively, both competing clubs are also selling tickets and further information can be found on their respective websites: 
Bognor Regis Town | Burgess Hill Town

Tickets purchased from the ticket office at the stadium on the day will be priced at £12.00 Adult (17+), £6.00 Concession (65+ and students with valid student ID card) and £4.00 Child (16 and under), plus a £1.50 per ticket booking fee. Tickets at the stadium on the day will be available to purchase up until half-time (approx. 8.30pm).

Turnstiles will open at 6.00pm with Bognor Regis Town supporters seated in the north end of the West Stand Lower and Burgess Hill Town fans seated in the south end of the West Stand Lower. Seating will be allocated in both sections.

Parking at the stadium is available to purchase from Brighton & Hove Albion, at a cost of £5.00 per vehicle via seagullstickets.com.

For further details about the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup please contact Competitions:

Competitions
T: 01903 753547
E: Competitions@SussexFA.com