Manager Chris Agutter heads into his second season as Reds boss, off the back of a club record points tally in National League South in his first season, that saw the Rebels finish just one point behind the champions Truro City.
The construction of the North Stand twelve months ago meant the club were unable to play any of their warm up matches at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
This time around supporters will get three opportunities to see Agutter’s side take the field at Woodside Road in the build up to the new season.
The first outing on home soil comes when a West Ham United XI visit Sussex on Saturday 12th July. The fixture could see the return of former Red Brad Dolaghan, who joined the Hammers last summer and featured for their academy throughout the season before ending it on loan at Aldershot Town of the National League, picking up FA Trophy winners medal following the Shots’ win over Spennymoor Town at Wembley earlier this month.
The following weekend we welcome Chatham Town of Isthmian League Premier Division. The Chats are coming off a 9th place finish in their second season at step 3 after winning the South East Division in 2023.
Three days later the Agutter’s men travel to Hampshire to take on Havant & Waterlooville. The Hawks narrowly missed out on a play-off place in Southern League Premier Division South, finishing a point outside the top 5, having suffered relegation from National League South the previous season.
It was a memorable trip to Westleigh Park last time out, a 5-1 win in March 2024.
A trip to the Dripping Pan to take on Lewes follows on Saturday 26th July. A solitary Tommy Willard goal was enough for a 1-0 win there in July last year.
The Reds visit Agutter’s former club Hastings United on Wednesday 30th July, while pre-season comes to a close on Saturday 2nd August with a repeat of the 2024 National League South play-off final when Braintree Town are the visitors to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
2025/26 pre-season fixtures in full
12 July — vs West Ham United XI (h), 3pm
19 July — vs Chatham Town (h), 3pm
22 July — vs Havant & Waterlooville (a), 7.45pm
26 July — vs Lewes (a), 3pm
30 July — vs Hastings United (a), 7.45pm
2 August — vs Braintree United (h), 3pm
The league campaign on Saturday 9th August with fixtures expected to be released in early July.
