It was the toughest decision he will ever have to make.

His dad played football for Arsenal and Albion, his uncle captained England at cricket, and the Seagulls and Sussex both wanted to sign him.

After months of agonising, Joe Gatting finally said yes to Albion and no to the County champions.

On July 1, Joe will be among a dozen young prospects joining the Seagulls on a three-year scholarship.

Sussex offered him the same chance but the opportunity to emulate his father was too good to miss.

"It took a couple of months for me to make my mind up," Joe revealed.

"It was really hard, because I enjoy both sports.

"I made the decision in the end because I want to follow in my dad's footsteps."

Steve Gatting faced a similar dilemma in his youth. He played for Middlesex's Second XI before signing for Arsenal as an apprentice.

Gatting senior made 58 League appearances for the Gunners, then spent ten years with Albion.

"Although I was in the same boat I didn't have the choice Joe had at 16," said Steve, one of Albion's 1983 FA Cup final heroes.

"I would probably have got a contract when I was 18 and maybe stayed on at school.

"I liked both sports, but football came first. Obviously being Arsenal as well there wasn't really a choice to make."

The choice was not quite as straightforward for Joe, a striker rather than a defender like his dad.

The 16-year-old from Brighton College is a promising batsman with the Sussex Academy and plays alongside his father for Preston Nomads.

Steve eventually had to help him make his mind up. "If I had left it entirely up to Joe he wouldn't have made a decision! He says it took him two months, it was probably more like four months.

"He felt and we decided he is too young to pack football in. He loves football, he loves cricket, and it was hard because he is good at both.

"He has actually probably got further in cricket. He was close to playing for England under-15's, but if he had gone for cricket he would have to pack up football completely."

That would have been less of a concern to Joe's uncle, Mike, the pugnacious batsman who skippered England and Middlesex.

"He was aware of the decision Joe had to make," Steve revealed. "He has heard a lot about Joe's cricket, but he has never actually seen him play.

"He thought he should perhaps choose cricket, because he might be an England player one day."

Joe was in Cardiff to watch Albion clinch promotion back to the First Division in the final of the play-offs against Bristol City.

The starting line-up at the Millennium Stadium included home-grown youngsters Adam Virgo and Dan Harding. Another, Adam Hinshelwood, was on the bench.

Twelve scholars, 11 of them from Sussex, is a record intake for Albion and represents an investment of around £300,000.

"I am very excited," Joe said. "There was a great atmosphere in Cardiff and it surprised me how many fans were there.

"Mark McGhee gives people a chance who are good enough. It doesn't matter about age."

Another important factor for Steve, now sports master at Christ's Hospital School in Horsham, is the educational support Albion provide.

Joe will spend two afternoons a week studying at Lewes Tech for the equivalent of three A levels in three years.

Steve is also happy to place his son's future in the caring hands of former Albion team-mate Dean Wilkins and Martin Hinshelwood, Barry Lloyd's assistant when he played for the Seagulls.

"One of the other things we looked at was the education side of things. Albion have got a very good record in that respect.

"Obviously I know Dean very well and Martin and the set-up for the young players is very professional.

"I'm confident it is the right decision. It is a great opportunity for Joe, football is a great life.

"The football environment is a good environment. He will get to know the way of the world.

"He will be brought up well in terms of discipline and fitness and even if he doesn't make it, it will be three years well spent."

When Steve started out as an apprentice at Arsenal in the mid-Seventies it was possible to combine football and cricket.

Jim Coombes played for Aston Villa and Worcestershire, Chris Balderstone for Leicester and Leicestershire.

It would be impractical now, because the seasons overlap so much and the demands on players are that much greater, but Joe will still be picking up a bat when he gets the chance.

Steve said. "Martin (Hinshelwood) has been good.

"He realised what a difficult situation it was.

"He is quite happy for Joe to play cricket every now and then if it doesn't interfere with the football.

"Keith Greenfield at the County Ground has also been very supportive.

"He is happy to still give Joe one-on-one lessons to keep his cricket ticking over. Sussex are very disappointed, although in the back of their minds I think they always thought he would choose football."