With four members working on the buses, pub soccer squad Portslade Colts are never short of transport to away games.

Four members of the Sussex Sunday League Division Seven club work for the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company so they hire a double-decker and take it in turns to drive.

Their professional approach to matches has paid off, with the side second in the table and en route for promotion.

Team manager John Hunt, 43, from Whitehawk, doubles as a driver for the side, who drink at the Bush on Arundel Road, Brighton.

Mr Hunt and the Colts' assistant manager, Steve Comersford, are both drivers for the bus company.

The bus firm's operations controller, Ian Coyle, and coach office worker Simon Ashcroft also play for the club.

Mr Hunt, whose sons Gavin, 22, Craig, 19, and Paul, 18, play for the side, said: "The bus is great for morale and we do a lot better when we travel together. The players like to sit upstairs at the back. The wives and others sit downstairs and it helps us get a good following.

"People try to flag us down but we don't stop for anybody and we haven't been late for a game yet.

"We used to think it was lucky using the bus until we lost 4-3 to our league rivals, Goring Cricket Club Reserves.

"The team have done well but we should have won the league."

The team recorded a 7-1 win at bottom-club Dor've Phlatseo Reserves on Sunday.

Mr Coyle, 34, from Hollingbury, said: "We want to thank the company for the bus. It really makes a day of it.

"The lads can all have a few more drinks the night before as they aren't driving."

Mr Comersford, 30, from Bevendean, said the lads were always in high spirits on the bus after a win.

He said: "It's brilliant. We sing a few footy songs and discuss the game.

"When we run off the bus it makes you feel a bit special. It is quite a professional thing to do."

The Portslade Colts also play a two-legged annual charity match against a Watford bus company, which has raised £500 for good causes such as the Rockinghorse Appeal.