Politicians aren't the only people who think Brighton is the place to be.

Wilbur Johnson has fallen in love with life on the south coast as well.

Which made his decision to commit himself to Brighton Bears for another season a lot easier to make than people might imagine.

Johnson, a double winner in his four seasons with Sheffield Sharks, has established himself as a big favourite among the long-suffering Bears fans this season.

As well as his dynamic performances on the floor - he leads the Bears in points, shooting percent-ages and blocks - he's endeared himself to the supporters with his easy going approach.

No wonder he's a nailed on certainty to win the player of the season award.

Johnson is also a winner, and he wanted some assurances from owner Romek Kriwald that Bears would be a competitive outfit next season after two seasons bumping along at the bottom end of the southern conference.

"I said all along that I would come back if the club were intent on putting together a winning team and after talking with Romek I think we're heading in the right direction," he said. "I don't think it's my position to say who Romek should be trying to recruit for next season.

"But I know that he is working on bringing quality players to Brighton."

In a month's time the fans will know who the club intend asking back for next season to join Johnson and co-captain Mike Brown.

And big Wil is hoping Bears make a couple of additions to the squad rather than wholesale changes.

"People have got to remember that we had three rookies and I don't think they turn into veterans until halfway through their first season," he added.

"Dave Wahl, Kevin Wallace and Demetric Reese have all improved in the second half of the season and when they play well we win.

"I'm not going to say who should be back, but if we had the same team again next season we definitely would not be bottom."

Wil and wife Elandra are already proud parents to 14 month old daughter Elandra.

But Elandra flew back to their native Philadelphia last week to prepare for the birth of their second child, which is due in June.

Shortly afterwards the Johnsons will be returning to Sussex where they have enjoyed life since Wil switched from the Sharks at the end of last season.

"Apart from the fact that we've had a losing season I have enjoyed living in Brighton, it really is a great place to be," he said.

"Elandra has made a lot of new friends and there is so much to do for all of us. We like the beach, the Sealife Centre and the shops, there's plenty to do."

Not that Bears' big centre has had much time to wander around the Lanes in the last few days.

They faced a round trip of 18 hours on the coach on Thursday for the return game against Newcastle, five days after losing heavily to the Eagles at the Brighton Centre.

Back-to-back defeats by Eagles and London Leopards last weekend punctured the optimism generated by a run of five wins in six starts.

Bears twice had victory within their grasp against Leopards before eventually falling in double overtime.

But Johnson is confident Bears can end the season with another winning run.

"The confidence we had from that good run is still there," he added.

"We're only a couple of wins behind Thames Valley so there is still a lot to play for.

"If we could get off the bottom of the league it would help everyone for next season."