STEWART Kearn admits Bashley must shoulder collective responsibility for trying to bring back the feel good factor at the Recreation Ground.

Kearn and Paul Gazzard, appointed joint-bosses following a summer of upheaval at the club, take charge of their first home game tomorrow when Bash host Truro City.

A campaign of struggle under former manager Frank Gray saw attendances dip last season with Bash drawing two of their lowest crowds – 88 and 87 – since they joined the Southern League.

But with two popular ex-players and local lads at the helm, the club will be hoping for a change of fortune, both on the pitch and at the turnstiles.

Kearn told the Daily Echo: “Crowds were down last season and anyone who came through the gate would have seen that.

“When I was here in my first spell 16 or 17 years ago, crowds were always in the high 200s or low 300s. At the time, results were good, we were scoring goals and there was a great spirit around the place.

“People enjoy seeing their local team doing well. There was a buzz around the place in those days and that is what we are trying to get back.

“It goes without saying that the players have to give 100 per cent. If you want people to go away happy, you have to perform and try your best.

“As players, Paul and I always wore our heart on our sleeve and that is what we are trying to instill. We want the players to treat every game as if it is their last for the club.

“We are hoping people will come to support us and the team and give us a chance. Hopefully, we can get back to where we were all those years ago. That is our aim.”

Charlie Knight, who tweaked his groin during the warm-up ahead of Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Biggleswade, is in contention to start, while Gary Middleton has recovered from an ankle knock.

Kearn added: “It was a good point at Biggleswade and it was pleasing to start the season with a clean sheet.

“Truro will be a tough test and it should be a good game.”

Bash: (from) Jones, Stephenson, Boultwood, I Richardson, Middleton, S Richardson, Casey, Farren, Sills, Odam, Strickland, Satterley, Morris, Brookes, Thomas, Knight, Porter.