Storey set to end at Rye

Storey has returned to Rye following a short spell as a player/assistant manager at Crawley Down Gatwick.

He said: “If I’m honest I think I will probably hang them up when I leave Rye. I missed the place when I wasn’t there. I get on really well with Ginge (manager Marc Gall) and Thomo (assistant boss Andy Thomson). They’re good lads to be around and it’s just a fun place to be.

“Ginge makes it as fun as possible. It is what it is; it’s County League football, but what he does create is a good atmosphere. Like I said when I left, if I was to step back down to County League football, I will be knocking on Rye’s door.”

Storey, who will just concentrate on playing this time around, marked his return to The Salts by playing in the goalless draw at home to Lancing in Sussex County Football League Division One last weekend.

“I really enjoyed it,” he continued. “It was nice to get a full 90 minutes under my belt and I think we could’ve won six or seven. I think we were much better than them, we created much more chances, but it was probably the story of our season. We’ve got to take our chances a lot earlier than what we do.”

The 30-year-old admitted things didn’t really work out at a Crawley Down side which is struggling for form in Ryman Football League Division One South - one level up from Sussex Division One.

“We (himself and manager Francis Vines) tried to steady the ship, but it was a tougher task than what I first thought it was going to be,” Storey went on. “They’ve not got much money to bring players in and they’ve had a poor run of results. They’ve got a lot of young promising players, but young promising players don’t get you results instantly when you need results.

“I was having to put a lot more commitment in and I haven’t really got the time with my football academy going so well.”

Storey began his career at Championship club Middlesbrough and later joined Scottish outfit Dunfermline before injury ended his hopes of a professional career. After moving south, he had spells at Lewes, Eastbourne Borough, Tonbridge Angels, Hastings United and Horsham prior to joining Rye in late August 2012.

Storey and Gall became joint managers when Scott Price resigned at the end of February 2013, and led Rye to a very creditable fourth place finish last term. Storey moved to Crawley Down just before Christmas.