This week the club announced the return of Ollie Humphries to Mill Road after a 12 month hiatus which saw him turn out for Selsey FC and Billingshurst for the 2023/2024 season.
“Hump” was top of Mullets Manager Craig Stuart’s shopping list this summer, and the player was delighted to get the deal agreed relatively early on.
“The main thing that made me want to come back was how well I get on with the clubs coaching staff and how at home I feel when at Mill Road. I also live locally and it allows me to commit for more games. I had a few phone calls with Craig over the summer where he outlined his plans for the team this season, and its something which I instantly felt excited about and wanted to be part of.”
Humphries played as a striker all through youth football, but found himself playing as a central defender in his first two seasons at the club under then manager Jason Mines and then under Craig Stuart for the 2022/2023 season where he also wore the club’s armband.
“In my first spell at the club I came into a team which was struggling and the ball was not really getting to me up front, so I was moved into central defence to help out and stop the team conceding so many goals.”
Humphries is already looking to build on the 14 goals he notched playing as a striker last campaign in a season where his blend of pace and power terrorised opposition defences.
“I simply want to score as many goals as I can to help the team. I much prefer playing as a striker and making an impact at the top end of the pitch. I don’t mind mucking in and playing as a central defender when I am needed – but 100% I am a striker. The manager is trusting me to play in that role and it’s something I am relishing”
Having tasted play-off heartache with Selsey last season, Ollie is looking for a similar experience this season in a Mullets shirt.
“I feel with the team we have, we should be aiming to be in the playoffs as a minimum come the end of the season. The manager has made some decent signings, and we already had the nucleus of a very good in squad from last season. We also have some really good younger players coming up through the youth section – so competition will be fierce. I just cant wait to get going”.
There is no doubt that the return of Ollie will have turned heads around the Southern Combination County Leagues, and the club are equally excited to have him back in a red shirt as he is to be here.
Welcome back Hump.
