As we move into the first week of September, we herald the start of local league football.

All of the professional and semi-professional clubs have a few games under their belts and it is now the turn of the true amateurs.

Many a lad will be relishing the thought of putting his boots on again and doing battle with other local teams.

However, the Brighton Hove and District League will be without one particular team this year.

Lower Bevendean have pulled out of the league because they have insufficient players to field a team.

I find this particularly sad as Bevendean have had a team since the Fifties and for all but a couple of years, when they played in County Three, they have been in the Brighton Hove and District League.

Many of us who have long since hung up our boots will remember the days when 30 or 40 of us would turn up for training in the hope of getting a game the following Saturday. Others will remember winning the Sussex Junior Cup.

Well done to all of those who made a contribution over the years as players, administrators, coaches, managers, supporters, linesmen, those who washed kit and anyone who has been associated with this great club over the years.

-Geoff Fitch, Greenacres Drive, Ringmer