A pub football team has scored a place in the last five of a nationwide contest to win sponsorship from Radio 1.

Jolly Boatman FC of Newhaven won its league last season and the South Coast side went one better by scooping the cup as well.

However, the team's ability to sing live on air and look good in shorts is just as important for Radio 1 as success on the field.

The club started by a group of mates has now earned national stardom after completing a series of challenges.

The latest sees each side trying to get as much publicity as they can - so The Argus stepped in to help.

The overall winner will get kit supplied by the station, regular match reports to millions of listeners and DJ Nemone appearing as club mascot.

Club founder, secretary and rightback Simon Whitney, of Hillcrest Road, Newhaven, said the players were hoping to win the contest to add to their on-pitch success.

He said: "When Radio 1 set up a competition to sponsor a pub football team I thought we might as well enter so I sent in an email.

"They had a look at our web site and we managed to get into the final eight.

"We play on a Sunday morning and as soon as we get to the pub after the game we listen to Nemone's show on the radio.

"We've sent in pictures and had to sing on the radio.

"Our chant wasn't very good but nine or ten of us screamed it down the phone. Listeners have to ring in or text to vote for us.

"The two top teams will play off in a match at a top ground somewhere and the winners will get Nemone as a mascot.

"Our match reports will be read on the radio and Radio 1 will sponsor the kit."

On her official internet site, Nemone described the boys as having "lovely legs".

She added: "We have had their picture on my web site all week - just because they look nice."

Simon, 20, added: "We have a good young team. We're all 19 or 20.

"We're top of the Lewes Sunday League Division One after playing seven and winning six and drawing one match this season.

"I started the team for my mates when we finished playing youth team football in Newhaven.

"I was working in another pub at the time and my boss was good enough to sponsor the kit. We started as Denton Phoenix Second Team but the first team got in a bit of trouble and was chucked out of the league.

"I started ringing round and the Jolly Boatman agreed to sponsor us."

Licensee William Maynard said it was nice to get some national publicity for the pub.

He said: "After the game they come down for their postmatch grub and cheer along to the radio. Some of their girlfriends have been dishing the dirt a bit, sending in some odd photos of them.

"The other week the lads had to show off their legs, then come up with a chant. This week they have to get as much publicity as they can."