Burgess Hill have taken another huge step towards landing the County League title.

While most managers were taking advantage of a wet weekend by putting their feet up, Hillians boss Gary Croydon was busy wrapping up an important signing.

Daren Newman, one of the most influential players in Sussex football, signed a two-year contract with the club on Saturday which will keep him at Burgess Hill until the end of the 2003-04 season.

The move puts an end to the uncertainty surrounding who Newman was actually playing for.

The one-time Albion defender started the season as player-manager at Withdean 2000, then quit to join Burgess Hill before returning to Withdean as a player just before Christmas.

However, Newman was a surprise inclusion for Hillians in their FA Vase fourth round replay at Dorking last Tuesday and he responded by scoring in a 1-1 draw before Croydon's side took the tie in a penalty shoot-out.

Croydon said: "This is good news for us and our supporters.

"This will probably take Daren through to the end of his playing days. It keeps him here for this season and the next two seasons after that.

"You need players like this if you want to win the County League. Next year is very important to us in our quest for Southern League football."

Newman becomes the fourth player to be put on contract by the ambitious Hillians this season, following in the footsteps of youngsters Steve Harper, Pat Gannon and Tom Levitt.

Croydon has promised others will join them before the end of the season. This, he believes, is an important step if the club is the progress from the County League, which they have already stated is their long-term goal.

The Hillians are currently 11 points clear at the top of the County League and have played six games less than second-placed Hailsham Town.

Despite their position, Croydon refuses to get complacent and insists there is a long way to go in the race for the County League title.

"I feel the main challengers are Sidley, the current champions," said Croydon. "I am sure they won't want to relinquish their crown lightly. Our home game with them will have a big bearing on things.

"Ringmer, on their day, are one of the best sides in this league. You only have to look at the amount of goals they score. We have still got Selsey to play back to back and they beat us recently in the RUR Cup.

"There are plenty of games where things can be thrown up. I am fully aware we are in the driving seat and we have to keep ourselves there and not get distracted by things like the FA Vase."

Croydon may not admit it but most opponents already feel Burgess Hill have the title wrapped up. Selsey boss Danny Hinshelwood certainly thinks so.

He said: "I think they will be too strong for everyone else. I can't see them losing more than two games before the end of the season.

"To be honest they have lost five or six games for anyone to be able to catch them."

Hinshelwood feels Selsey have blown their own chances of taking the runners-up spot. He said: "If you had spoken to me before Christmas, we were fifth and I felt confident we could be pushing for second place. But after losing to Peacehaven, then Sidlesham, Wick and Chichester at home I think we have blown our chances and that disappoints me."

Three Bridges have enjoyed a fabulous season and are serious contenders for runners-up spot.

Manager Darren Barker said: "We want to finish as high as we can. We have 17 games left, 12 at home and we have people coming back from injury. I think Burgess Hill are out of reach but we will be trying to push for second place."

Sidley United joint boss Peter Heritage insists his side still have much to play for.

He said: "I don't think Burgess Hill have got it wrapped up. They are in a very strong position and have had a marvellous run. The big thing for them though is that they are involved in the FA Vase. It is a case of whether they put more importance on the FA Vase and getting to the final of that or the league."