Brighton have snapped up two World Cup campaigners thanks to the bare-faced cheek of skipper Carlo Missirian.

Egyptian internationals Mohamed Samak and Mohamed Nagey made goal-scoring debuts as Brighton opened their Kent/Sussex Regional League programme with 8-2 win over Crawley last Saturday and their arrival is a heart-warming story.

Missirian was in Edinburgh in the summer at the time of the World Cup qualifiers and he embarked on an impromptu recruiting session for the Sussex Cup holders.

He explained: "I was staying at Edinburgh University in the week when the World Cup qualifiers were on.

"I was staying in the halls of residence where all the players were and I thought I would ask everyone if they fancied playing for Brighton.

"I stood in the middle of the Indian team and was barracked off by them. The same with the Russians, Poland and the USA.

"I thought I had nothing to lose. I thought they would say yes or just laugh at me, which most of them did. There were a few players interested and I gave out my email address."

Samak,19, and Nagey, 20, contacted Missirian by email, suggesting they would like to take up his offer and they arrived a fortnight ago.

Missirian added: "These two guys wanted to get some education in England, so they sorted out their visas and came over. It was fate me being there at that time."

The new arrivals have already made an impression on and off the pitch. Their ability was evident against Crawley last week, while off the pitch the Egyptians have been christened Fish and Chips by a Brighton squad noted for their good humour.

Missirian said: "Samak means fish in Egyptian, I believe. We are just ridiculous with nicknames. One of our lot said it straightaway and it has stuck They are Fish and Chips."

Brighton entertain Herne Bay tomorrow in a match which Missirian has already said will be an indicator as to whether his side can challenge for honours this season. Missirian is hoping the Egyptian pair will give an added strength to a Brighton squad which has shown great improvement over the last couple of years.

He added: "At the momemt they have committed themselves for the season. They are good enough to play at a higher level so we kept their arrival under wraps under we knew they really wanted to play for us."

In the National League, East Grinstead entertain Oxford Hawks on Sunday. It will be the first home match for the club's unique management team. Janina Jedamzik is managing East Grinstead this season and she is believed to be the only female manager in the National League. Her partner, Ian Pattison, has taken over as player-coach.

Squads - East Grinstead: Dakin, Harmes, Turk, Thomas, Holland, Perriss, Male, Howarth, B.Payne, R. Payne, Pearce, Pattison, Horne, Medcalf, King.

Chichester: Jones, Pendle, Pywell, Dunn, Turner, Streames, Dougal, Humphries, Ranger, Savory, Lock, Lane-Smith, Beer, Jaeger.

Brighton: Westwood, Ashdown, Meldew, Acott, Baker, Shirley, Page, Pruce, Delea, Missirian, Love, Daniels, Samak, Nagey, Butcher, Karps.

Horsham: Burlinson, Simms, Charlesworth, Ford, Billington, Beer, Cohen, Ashton, Down, Lowe, Ansell, Blakeley, Barlow.

Worthing: Godsmark, Jarretker, Godber, Martin, Fuller, Massie, Allen, Ansell, Clanger, Holloway, Edmondson, Duncan, Gough.

fixtures - Southern Premier: Purley Walcountians v Chichester.

Kent/Sussex Regional League: Brighton & Hove v Herne Bay, Folkestone v Crawley, Horsham v Blackheath, Mid Sussex v Worthing. Kent/Sussex division one: Burnt Ash v Middleton & Bognor, Crowborough v Eastbourne.

SUNDAY National League division two: East Grinstead v Oxford Hawks.