Bexhill can mount future title challenge

That’s the view of first team coach Ian Cox after the club secured a top four finish in 2015 - its best result since winning the title in 1997.

Cox said: “We said two years ago we thought in five years we could have a title challenging unit. I think we will probably get there a bit earlier.

“We’ve got to step up and win consistently against the top teams, but I see no reason why in another year or two we couldn’t be genuine title contenders, maybe even next year.

“I can see Bexhill in the next five years being there or thereabouts and two or three extra wins we would’ve been in the mix at the end of this season. I think we’re maybe a 10-15% improvement in all areas away from that.”

Last weekend’s final day win away to relegated Eastbourne was Bexhill’s 10th league victory of the campaign - a fine achievement for a young team which should only get better in time.

“The beauty of this year is we’ve had no superstars; it’s been a real team performance,” continued Cox. “Some of these boys really will kick on. Somebody will have a bang season with the bat and that will make a massive difference.

“At the moment we’ve improved to the degree where we’re expecting to go out and win against those bottom half teams, and we’re doing that.

“There’s a big jump up to those clubs that have got a bit more pulling power. We’ve got to try and bridge that gap now and I think we will. I think the future of the first team looks very promising.”

Cox says it’s unlikely that overseas player Dean Crawford will return from Australia for a third season in 2016, but the club has already had two or three emails from people keen to fly over and play.

Whether Ashar Zaidi will be back next year is likely to depend on if he’s offered a new contract by Sussex. If not, he may well go back to the Manchester area.

Cox himself will be stepping aside after three years in the role, during which he’s seen Bexhill win promotion from Division Two before finishing sixth and fourth in the Premier League.

“I’ve really enjoyed it, but the time’s right,” he said. “They’ve matured and progressed massively as cricketers. They can do it, they’ve proved they can do it and they need to understand it’s down to them to motivate themselves. Most of the game’s played up top and I think they’re just starting to get to grips with that.”

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