Nice guys can be winners, too

David Pragnell's team, who were formed just two years ago and are sponsored by the Beulah Baptist Church in Buckhurst Road, have won promotion from Division Six of the Sussex Memorials East Sussex League in just their second campaign.

The team, which was little different personnel-wise to that which finished 12th in their debut season, finished three points adrift of champions Wadhurst United III after losing their final game on May 1. They also reached the quarter-finals of the JCF Jewellery Challenge Cup, open to teams from Divisions Five and Six.

Assistant manager Kevin Feakins said: "It's been a great season. We hoped to be in the middle of the table but we've been in the top two all season. Our success is due in no small part to the commitment and enthusiasm of the manager David Pragnell. The ambition now is to consolidate our position in Division Five and to start a second team. We had a squad of over 20 players at the start of the season but unfortunately lost a few because we couldn't give them regular games."

Although the success has been greatfully received, the social factor was the main reason behind their formation. And that, together with their fair play ethos, will not change irrespective of their rise up the league ladder.

Assistant manager Kevin Feakins explained how it all began: "There was a group of guys at the church all interest in playing football. We had had some successful friendlies, which led those players to form the nucleus of a league team.

"Initially it was predominently players from within the church, with now approximately a third of the players plus the managers being committed Christians and members of the church. At the beginning of the previous season we were leaking seven or eight goals a game, but we picked up several stronger players in the second half of the season and then two or three more at the beginning of last season. The church supports the team financially and encouraged its use as a Christian outreach."

In view of the new team, fresh players would be most welcome, contact Pragnell on (01424) 224116 or Feakins on (01424) 214956 for more information. Training takes place every Tuesday at the new Bexhill College astroturf facility, Glyne Ascent from 7-9pm during winter and at Bexhill Road playing fields from 7pm during the summer.