Reports of Harry Sargent's death, I am happy to confirm, have proved premature.

He is alive and kicking although not with the uncanny accuracy and power that distinguished his dozen or so seasons as skipper of Whitehawk.

In all good faith, Albert Thorne, a Whitehawk contemporary, passed the word that Harry had died. The doleful news soon spread and a card of condolence was received by Joan Sargent from Billy Thew who had played alongside Harry with the famous Brighton club. But Joan had not donned widow's weeds.

Nor was Harry strumming a harp. He just laughed. "It's funny, but this is the fourth time I've been killed off." And never did he utter a truer word.

The closest Harry came to a watery grave was on a troopship sunk by an aerial torpedo off Crete. Harry, after watching his vessel sink, was picked up after 24 hours in the water and the rest of his war was seen out in South Africa and Ceylon.

Now, aged 76, Harry counts his lucky stars at coming through the war unscathed after falsifying his age from 17 to 16 to join the Royal Navy. He had a knack throughout an illustrious footballing life of steering clear of injury which, considering the robust nature of the game when ball-playing inside forwards were prime targets, is not a little surprising.

Harry had a couple of seasons on Albion's books as an amateur but was never tempted to sign pro. It isn't a matter for regret as he was strictly a player who preferred to do things his way.

The idea of knuckling down to a disciplined regime never appealed. His preferred role was of a big fish in a little pond, but not so little when measured in context for Harry figured in a unique treble when leading Whitehawk to victory in the Sussex Senior Cup and going on to play for the county.

Founded in 1945, Whitehawk were a Brighton League Division One club when winning the Sussex Junior Cup in 1949 under Sargent. The following year they won the Sussex Intermediate Trophy while still minnows. Then, in 1951 at Worthing, the Hawks caused a sensation when defeating red hot favourites Eastbourne Town to capture the Sussex Senior Cup.

Eastbourne, 12 times winners, had a brass band reception and big celebration party planned on the pier. But they reckoned without the tremendous enthusiasm that turned Whitehawk into an unstoppable force. One goal, from left winger Kenny Hayward, enabled Whitehawk to enjoy their finest hour to the accompaniment of a rapturous reception from 14 coachloads of supporters from the Brighton estate.

It was the proudest moment of Sargent's career when he was borne aloft from the pitch by his team mates. They were Micky Robins, Pat Vore, Roy Butcher, Cocker Blunt, Alf Godfree, Jack Barnard, Suzy Oliver, Denny Standen, Wally Adams and Kenny Hayward.

Recalled Sargent: "I lived in Wiston Road and I think half the team lived there too. That explained what a close-knit band we were. I was perfectly content playing with the lads although I did turn out for other sides including a couple of seasons with the Albion.

"As a player I was a greedy sod. I always wanted the ball to feet; not in front. In fact, I wanted the ball all the time. I'd take free kicks, corners and penalties. Those were the good old days when football was football. I wasn't keen to be a pro. Whitehawk the club and Whitehawk the estate was like one big family. There was a lot of fun in those days. I wouldn't want to play now."

Harry played until he was 35 although, at 47, he was game enough to don the No. 10 shirt again and turn out for an old boys team. The opposition, years younger, still couldn't nail the slippery customer who knew how to tease and taunt and down the years dismissed many a threat to chop his legs off at the knees.

The son of a Chief Petty Officer, Harry was born in Dorset, went to live in Whitehawk aged nine and attended St John the Baptist school. Percy Sargent, his father, was a brother of Max Miller and himself a good singer who used to do a turn at the Hare and Hounds when ashore.

"I saw a lot of my uncle when I was a young teenager and could walk into the Hippodrome at any time," said Harry. The family connection is preserved as both Harry and wife Joan are members of the Max Miller Appreciation Society.

"I began playing football in the street like the rest of the kids, knocking a tennis ball against a drain in the kerb. Nobody ever taught me. I suppose I had football in me, yet I was rubbish trying to get into Brighton Boys although I went on to play for Sussex. I remember as a youngster if it was chucking it down with rain you used to cry with frustration.

"When I came out of the navy I signed on for Whitehawk and also turned out for the Albion Reserves and the A side. I don't recall how I got involved. Somebody must have put in a word. I also had an approach from Chelsea that came via Stan Willemse, but I didn't want to know.

"Although I was an inside forward, the Albion - I think Tommy Cook was in charge - put me at leftback. Joe Wilson also played and looked after training. He'd never let the players have a ball but would hide in the stand and when you thought 'that's enough laps', he'd pop up and order us all round for a couple more. I must have been 22 or so at the time and they used to treat you like little kids. When it was suggested that I joined Worthing, that was it. My heart was at Whitehawk."