The Bognor bosses have a clear idea of what they want to achieve in terms of assembling a squad that will be able to earn the right to get back to step three football after enduring a difficult campaign last term that saw them relegated.

They finished second from bottom in the Isthmian Premier division table — 12 points from safety — with a measure of how much they struggled evident in the fact that they managed to concede a whopping 100 goals in the process.

The Rocks will now contest next season either in the Isthmian South East division or the South Central division.

Howell, who took over with Birmy at the end of last year after Robbie Blake vacated the post following a dismal run of defeats, has called for patience from supporters eager to discover the identity of players staying and arriving.

The former No.2 to Blake said: “We have had a clear idea of who we want to come in since we took over to be fair but it’s never going to be that easy during a season for all sorts of reasons. Now we have a fresh start.

“We will speak to players in more depth over the next week and then start planning from there. We need to make sure we have pen to paper — we have players who have said they want to stay — but we want to have this confirmed before we announce anything for obvious reasons.

“We are very confident of getting a good squad together for the start of next season having spoken to lots of players. We will need to be a little bit patient over the next couple of weeks but we are hoping to announce our plans sooner rather than later.”

However, one player who will not be in the Nye Camp ranks come the curtain-raiser next August is attacker Jasper Mather. The former Met Police goal-getter, who hit 14 league goals in 36 appearance (six as sub) last season as well as bagging one cup goal, took to social media to announce he was leaving the club after arriving two seasons ago.

Mather said on X, formerly Twitter: “It’s with a heavy heart that my time at Rocks has come to an end. It’s been a real honour to play for the club and the amazing supporters. Thank you for everything and good luck!”