FOR 150 years, Brighton College proudly stuck to its sporting traditions.

That meant the noble games of rugby, cricket and occasionally hockey.

It had little time for the working man's favourite game, football, which it considered ill-suited to its illustrious reputation.

But now, for the first time since the oldest public school in Sussex opened, pupils are to lace up their soccer boots and take to the football field in earnest.

Dr Anthony Seldon, head of the £4,865-a-term school, has finally bowed to pressure from pupils and is introducing the game as a major sport.

The boys' team will play its first official match on Saturday at home to Cranleigh in the Worth Shield competition.

And a new girls' team should soon follow.

Dr Seldon, a Newcastle United fan, said he had no choice but to introduce soccer on a par with rugby and cricket.

He said the reason it had not been a major sport before was "all to do with tradition".

He added: "Football has become so popular we have had to bow to the inevitable.

"Almost all the children play football, boys and girls. It was incredibly popular during last year's World Cup.

"I am a big fan of hockey, so I did take some persuading to introduce football as a major sport."

Until now, all pupils have concentrated on rugby, cricket and hockey.

It is a tradition that has produced many stars including current Wasps and England rugby fly-half Alex King, women's cricket international Clare Connor and recently-retired Sussex cricketer Neil Lenham.

Former pupil Sammy Woods played for the school's cricket first team in 1885 and went on to play cricket for Australia AND rugby for England.

Dr Seldon said: "I want the college to be represented in as many different kinds of sport as possible and I hope the football players will perform as well as the other school teams."

Alex Forman, 18, goalkeeper for the new football team, said: "I'm proud that football is now going to be a large part of school life.

"It is the national sport and we should be involved at the highest level we can. But I don't think it will ever replace rugby as the main sport."

Emily Kewley, 16, said: "Sport is important here because it helps people achieve their best. I prefer swimming to football but I'm sure I'll give it a go."

Martin Perry, a director of Brighton and Hove Albion, said: "Football is an important part of our culture and community and we are delighted the school is taking up the sport."

TV pundit Jimmy Hill is helping to launch the college's new approach to the game. He gives a question and answer session at the school in Eastern Road, Brighton, on Thursday.

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