A Brighton college is going national thanks to Albion.

Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College will compete in the National Acadmey League for Colleges next season.

BHASVIC swept the board in Sussex Schools' under-19s competitions last year. They won the league and cup, while their A and B sides shared the Second XI Cup.

Their girls' side took the county six-a-side trophy.

The college also produced England Schoolboy international Ollie Rowland.

But what clinched their invitation was having Albion Football in the Community officer Steve Ford, a UEFA qualified coach, running coaching courses for their players.

Manager Alan Saunders said: "We're grateful to Steve and Albion for their help. I feel the players will benefit from the experience in playing in such a league.

"The organisers told us they only wanted the best sixth form and further education colleges involved and felt we were one of them."

He is worried about costs: "We will be travelling to places like Swansea, so the league is going to cost us about £3,000 a season. If we could raise some sponsorship that would help."

Saunders claimed certain pro clubs, not Albion, objected to the use of the word "academy" in the title as that is the name they attach to their development setup. He said: "They say it's misleading the kids, making them think they may make it as professionals. But all we are doing is ensuring the youngsters have good education as well as their football, so they've got something to fall back on."

Saunders points to Albion youth goalkeeper and Sussex Second XI crickter Steven Ades as an example of how the system can work for BHASVIC students.

He said: "Steven has just left college and is taking a year out to try and make it as a professional sportsman. But if that doesn't work out he has got some qualifications that will help him to become a teacher."