Daren Pearce hopes to inspire Littlehampton's youngsters to take the first steps on the long road to success.

The former Eastbourne Borough skipper cannot understand why the best young players in the County League rarely try their luck at a higher level.

Pearce spent his apprenticeship with Littlehampton and East Preston before making the move to Priory Lane where he spent five successful seasons.

Under his leadership, Garry Wilson's side won three promotions in four years as well as lifting the Sussex Senior Cup in 2002.

Pearce clocked up around 80,000 miles on the road in the process, making the trip from his home in west Sussex to Priory Lane three times a week.

The travelling eventually got too much for the midfielder last Thursday when he decided to call time on his Borough days after 281 appearances and join Carl Stabler's side.

However, he would not hesitate in telling any young players to follow in his footsteps if they want to make the most of their ability.

Pearce said: "I do not know why more young players do not go that extra mile to play at a higher level.

"I've done a 100-mile round trip to Eastbourne two or three times a week for the last five years but it was worth it to be involved at a club like Borough.

"You would be hard pushed to find a better set up than Garry and Nick (Greenwood, coach) have got there and any young player with talent in the County League should be striving to be at a club like that. The travelling should not come into it if they want to be at a better club.

"There are seven or eight good youngsters at Littlehampton and I hope I can encourage them to aim as high as they can. If they come to speak to me, my advice will be to go for it because they have nothing to lose.

"I have said to Garry and Nick that if I spot anybody in the County League that I think could be of use to them that I will be straight on the phone.

"There is a lot of talent out there which has not been properly tapped into yet. Hopefully, what I have achieved will be an example to some of the boys at Littlehampton."

Pearce's sudden switch to division one newboys Littlehampton certainly raised a few eyebrows in the County League and even came as a shock to Borough boss Wilson.

He pleaded with the 32-year-old to stay until the end of the season but after losing his place in the starting line-up, Pearce knew it was time to go.

Pearce said: "I had five great years at Borough and I have nothing but respect for all the staff and supporters at the club.

"I had considered leaving during the summer but decided to give it one more year. I brought my decision forward because I did not want to leave on a sour note and have one bad year spoil all the happy ones.

"All good things must come to an end and I am excited by the challenge ahead with Littlehampton. I know Carl well and he was a big factor in me joining Littlehampton.

"Obviously the fact it is closer to home was one of the reasons but Carl was the main one. He does things properly and all his sides like to play football."

Pearce swapped the lower reaches of the Conference south for the top of the County League division one.

Littlehampton have surprised a lot of people with their start after promotion last season and Tuesday's 2-0 win over Sidlesham saw them climb to second behind Horsham YMCA.

Stabler highlighted Pearce as the vital piece in the jigsaw to add experience to his young side and the midfielder believes the future is bright for his new club.

Pearce said: "I still get a buzz from the game and I told Carl when I joined that I wanted to win things. He convinced me that I could do that with Littlehampton.

"It might be too much to ask for us to win the league this season but I don't see why we can't finish in the top six and then have a real go next year."