The directors behind a decision to keep Worthing Thunder out of the British Basketball League today explained why they stayed put.

Alan and Rosemary Dawes set up Thunder in the second-tier EBL division one after Worthing Bears moved to Brighton in 1999.

They have come under pressure to take their semi-pro club into the almost totally professional BBL after winning two successive league titles and a play-off crown.

But, as the deadline for BBL applications for next season came and went without movement from Worthing, Rosemary said: "We simply can't afford it.

"You can't go into the BBL without money. We would need £150,000 and that's just to be bottom of the table.

"It's not just the finances. It's the logistics as well.

"People would have to give up jobs. We are talking about going to Newcastle for a game on a Friday night.

"We also need to see where the BBL is going. Maybe the EBL can get stronger."

Head coach and director Gary Smith was among those who advocated a move to the BBL.

Thunder have sought advice from former Bears owner Romek Kriwald about how to increase both their profile and their income.

There are clearly widely differing views behind the scenes as to which direction the club should take.

But there also seems to be respect for each side's viewpoint.

Even those hoping to step up appreciate the Dawes' cautious approach to financial matters and struggle to see what they would get which merits the admission fee to the BBL.

It costs £90,000 plus VAT to buy a BBL franchise. Teams only have to pay ten per cent of that up front but would have the rest deducted from income over a number of years.

Mrs Dawes said: "Every team should strive for the best but we have been to so many meetings, had so many debates about this.

"We are not just saying No we will not do it'.

"We've looked at every possibility and there is no way we can do it.

"The players want it but they are in a different situation.

"If they are that desperate to go they can try and join another club."

That club will not be Brighton Cougars. They expect to make a statement shortly about their future plans to move up but will not be in the BBL next season.

Ron Scott, the man behind a potential rival league, the BBA, emailed The Argus recently after a period of silence and said: "Brighton is still an area of interest."

Scott did not return two telephone calls asking for more details.

Which leaves the Dawes, well-meaning fans-turned-owners who never really wanted this sort of attention.

They have already seen the Bears leave town and, after a rollercoaster reincarnation in Brighton, succumb to financial problems.

They are determined Thunder will not go the same way.

Rosemary added: "When we set out to do this it was never with the intention of being a BBL team.

"Now Brighton have gone the pressure is being put on us more to change leagues.

"People just say we are being negative but we are being realistic.

"I would hate to do eight years and then see it go just like that.

"We are not millionaires and I'm proud of what we and the team have done.

"As things stand, if everything went pear-shaped in the middle of a season, Alan and I could put our hands in our pockets and keep the club going.

"Whatever happens, our players will always be paid. We don't want to go down the path of other teams."