Gary Croydon watched his Burgess Hill side clinch their fourth division one title in six years and then re-adjusted his sights.

Hillians romped to the championship, suffering just two defeats and plundering nearly 100 goals.

They have also reached the quarter-finals of the prestigious FA Vase this season.

Now Croydon is keen for Hillians to move up the football pyramid and leave the County League behind.

The Hillians chief wants his team to play in the Dr Martens League and, with contractors due to redevelop Leylands Park in July, the club will have their ground up to standard for it at the start of the 2003/2004 campaign.

Another top-two finish next season will facilitate their entry.

Croydon, delighted at his first title since replacing Alan Pook in 1999, said: "I am really thrilled to get the championship back."

He believes there are more exciting times on the horizon for the club.

Croydon said: "A stand will be erected in the summer and on target to be finished in September. This time next year we should hopefully have got qualification to move out of the County League.

"That shouldn't be taken for granted because we'll have to finish in the top two and there are some good teams in there like Ringmer, Three Bridges and Pagham."

Although Croydon was keen to look to the future, he refused to think about personnel changes, preferring to praise his players.

The 50-year-old said: "The team have done brilliantly and always look capable of scoring. We have been good to watch this season, so I am very proud of my team.

"We have scored a record number of goals for the club, gone as far as we ever have in the Vase and drawn record crowds. In fact, we have probably beaten most of the club records this term."

Among the Hillians squad on the sidelines were their injured attacking trio of Ashley Carr (knee), Steve Harper (broken rib) and Phil Churchill (cartilage).

But it is testament to the strength of Croydon's squad that, despite missing three players who have scored more than 90 goals between them, it was too strong for second-placed Chichester.

Croydon deployed central defender Daren Newman as an emergency striker.

Newman used his aerial prowess to head in the opener from a left-wing Paul Williams cross in the tenth minute.

They spurned various opportunities before Tim Marshall, back from a broken ankle and knee ligament damage, headed in another Williams cross in the 59th minute.

Versatile Williams has been one of Hillians' most consistent performers this season, although he admitted if the team does play at a higher level he is likely to miss out.

The 34-year-old Sussex player, who has played in numerous positions this term, was part of Hillians' last championship-winning side.

He also picked up a winner's medal with Wick and Peacehaven.

Williams said: "I think the club are finally looking to progress. Next year we'll hopefully show we can win it again.

"It might come too late for me, it depends how long I go on playing. But most of the players are young and a lot of the team will stay because they have enjoyed it. The club want to play good football.

"I believe we have shown throughout the season we are the outstanding team in the division."

Chichester are just hoping to finish in the top three because Ringmer and Sidley have games in hand on them.

Nevertheless, it will be an improvement on last season when they finished seventh.

One of the main reasons for their continued success this term has been the form of striker Jamie Laidlaw who has amassed more than 30 goals for the second successive season.

The 24-year-old hitman from Portsmouth is wanted by Ryman League Bognor and he admitted he wants a better standard of football.

He said: "I've scored 32 goals this season and I am confident I can do it at a higher level.

"I'm not sure if I'll stay. I've enjoyed it the two seasons I've been at the club and I'll have a chat with Adie (Girdler, the manager) in the summer and see what happens."

Laidlaw complimented the champions and said his side should finish third.

He said: "Burgess Hill are a good side with a lot of ability but they also work hard and don't stop running for the whole 90 minutes."