Since county cricket was split into two divisions, I can hardly remember playing in a game in which the result has not meant something to both the players and supporters.

When I made my first class debut for Sussex towards the end of 1995, we were languishing near the bottom of the championship table (we finished 15th out of 18 and, incidentally, who finished bottom?...Kent!).

I was excited, obviously, to be making my debut but remember a peculiar lack of enthusiasm surrounding my team-mates.

Both the final two games of that season were heavily rain-affected draws and the lack of concern amongst the players and the crowds was memorable. There was a hint of animation surrounding the last game against Northants.

This, however, was because the opposition were second in the table and had an outside chance of taking the Championship with a win. They also had Anil Kumble as their overseas player who was closing in on 100 wickets for the season. I believe, again quite incidentally, he finished with 105 wickets but Northants were only third - further testament to Sussex's all-round team contribution to back up Mushie's efforts last year.

The other game against Yorkshire was a wet and dull affair. It rained a fair bit and the ground was quite wet but there was no great effort on behalf of the groundsmen, captains or umpires to try to make a game of it. In the end only 100 overs were played in four days.

This kind of indifference to the game happily no longer exists. Apathy is now a naughty word in county cricket - a direct result of the introduction of two divisions.

Whilst second division status does not yet appear to make much financial difference to the club's coffers, it takes a swift perusal of the message board on the club's website to see that it matters dearly to members.

They have pride and like to feel they are supporting one of the country's top sides. Likewise, for most of the players, being successful in the highest tier of county cricket will be the height of their realistic and immediate ambitions. We sure had a party when we won the second division championship in 2001 but it couldn't begin to compare with the celebrations at the end of last year.

Even now, with just one game left in the one-day league, when our season appears to be over, there is significance surrounding tonight's game against Middlesex.

Quite apart from the fact that Sky are covering the game (which always gets the players' juices flowing that little bit more) and the fact that Middlesex have won the league already, we could still end up in the bottom four of the table if we lose. This would have repercussions next year when we would have to play a major (as opposed to a minor) county in the first round of the C&G Trophy.

As for the Championship, apart from Warwickshire, who could be crowned champions this weekend with a win against an out-of-form Worcestershire side, everyone is playing either for the financially rewarding second place, or to avoid the drop. Say what you will about the ECB, but their decision to introduce two divisions was inspired in terms of keeping the interest in county cricket alive.