Twelve years ago Ian Chapman was in the opposition dugout as Burgess Hill claimed their last championship.

Chapman was the beaten manager as the Hillians danced on the pitch after defeating his Whitehawk side 1-0 to land the 2002-03 Sussex County League title.

The role should be reversed this weekend with Chapman’s Burgess Hill team on the cusp of being crowned Ryman south champions.

The Hillians need one point from games away to Carshalton tomorrow and Worthing at home on Monday to guarantee top spot.

And the man who led the club to their last piece of silverware believes there will not be a more deserving manager than Chapman to take over his mantle.

Danny Bloor was boss at Leylands Park 12 years ago when they won the County League by a record 21 points.

That was the club’s last campaign in county football. They initially joined the Southern League before moving to the Ryman League following a restructuring of non-league football 12 months later.

Former Albion favourite Chapman took over as manager at the start of the 2012-13 season after the club had narrowly avoided relegation the previous campaign.

In his first year he led the Hillians to an eighth-placed finish, then the following campaign they missed out on a play-off spot after a late equaliser in the final game of the season at Sittingbourne.

Burgess Hill go into tomorrow’s game at Carshalton 15 points clear of Faversham, who have five games to play, and having lost only once in the league all season.

Chapman’s efforts as manager have already received widespread acclaim, both in terms of his running of the club and his coaching.

Bloor has known him since the pair were youngsters on their way to earning deals initially with Albion under-18s.

He remembers the night 12 years ago when Burgess Hill won their last title and will be as pleased as anyone when they wrap up the next.

Bloor told The Argus: “Ian Chapman and I have played football together for 33 years since we were 12.

“Back in 2003 we beat Whitehawk to be crowned County League champions and Chappers was managing Whitehawk at the time.

“It was the last league title Burgess Hill won and it is quite ironic that Ian will be the next manager to win it for the club. He has done such a fantastic job for them.

“I remember that night and remember Ian being very complimentary about us. He is a proper football man.”

While excitement builds around the club ahead of this weekend’s games, Chapman is trying to stay focused.

Neil Watts continues to be ruled out by injury but the Hillians have no other concerns ahead of the weekend.

He said: “Apart from Wattsy, we have a full squad to choose from and we must try to put a team together to get a point.

“We will go there on Saturday and if it doesn’t go our way we will move on to Monday.

“We would love to get it done and dusted on Saturday. Carshalton are a decent team but we will go there full of confidence and give it our best shot.”