Common look to Borough as they plan their rise

The Peartree Lane club, who are waiting to discover the outcome of their application to join the Sussex County League for next season, made sure of the local league title with an 8-2 demolition of Bodiam at the weekend, but they are hoping for much more yet.

"I'm made up with that," said Cherry, whose side could make it a double having qualified for the Blacklands Finance Challenge Cup final, "we've been waiting a long time (around 25 years ago was the last time Little Common won the East Sussex League). It wasn't a make or break year, but a lot of people in the club decided we would really go for it this year.

"But hopefully this is just the start. We want to progress and hopefully, in time, we might do the same as (Eastbourne) Borough, who knows? You've got to have ambition. What's the point in running a youth policy from five right the way up and letting other local sides pinch them off us?

"We're definitely looking forward to next season. Hopefully we will strengthen the squad. We've asked a few people and hopefully the injured players we've had this season will come back and play because they are very good players."