Sidley to create lasting memorial

Discussions are at a preliminary stage and nothing concrete has been decided yet but it is hoped some form of tribute can be put in place for the two 20-years-olds who died in a car crash a little over two weeks ago.

Sidley returned to action on Saturday with a 4-0 win over Shoreham and immediately after the match captain Chris Copley declared that the players would be willing to donate their win bonuses to such a cause.

Joint manager Andy Laskey said: "I think the players are determined there will be a proper permanent memorial. The support has been superb really, people are bending over backwards to help. On Saturday there were people up there who had been injured and just wanted to be there. People have taken two days off work to go to both funerals.

"We were close and I think we're even closer now. Football wise whether it will make us much stronger as a team I don't know but I personally think there might be some knock-on effect because for some people it hasn't really sunk in yet. Maybe next week it will hit people. Different people seem to feel it at different times."

Tributes have poured in from clubs throughout the county. Shoreham brought a cheque with them to Saturday's game while Whitehawk and Three Bridges also sent cheques of their own.

On the football front, Sidley will enjoy another chance to pull themselves towards mid-table when they entertain Selsey on Saturday November 8. Laskey added: "It's another chance to get going again. No disrespect to these teams (Shoreham and Selsey) but they would be the teams you would want to play when there's a little bit of turmoil going on."

Dave Ward (heel) and Jimmy Watson (hamstring) should be fit while Mat Ball (ankle) is expected to make his comeback for the reserves.