Chichester only need a point from their final game against Sidley at home tomorrow to win their first County League title in 24 years.

Chi have a three point lead over second-placed Rye, who travel to Pagham, and have a superior goal difference of five.

Manager Adie Girdler said: "Although it's a big game, I'll be telling the players to go out and play with a smile on their face because what will be, will be.

"We all can't wait for it to start because it's just like we're going to play in a cup final. People have been talking about us being the champions for a while and this is our chance to finally do it."

Chichester have been favourites to take the title for most of the season. They remained unbeaten in their first 14 games and had a nine point lead at Christmas.

A run of five games without a win after the turn of the year saw them overtaken by East Preston. But nine straight victories, including a 1-0 win against EP, have taken them to the brink of one their most successful seasons.

Chichester have won the County League five times before, but this would be the first since the club reformed as Chichester City United following the merger with Portfield in 2000.

Girdler, who took charge of the club in 1996, said: "We all feel that we shouldn't have put ourselves in this position because we were nine points clear at one stage.

"It should have been wrapped up a long time ago, but I've got quite a few youngsters in the team and a few of them felt the pressure of being at the top.

"This is their chance to finish the job and I'm confident they will.

"This season has been a result of eight years of hard work. That's not just from me but everybody at the club.

"We built up a good structure with young players and we have been reaping the rewards."

Rye's match kicks off at 2pm, 30 minutes before Chichester's, but manager Ryan Light has ruled out his side making the short trip to watch the end of the game.

He said: "We don't want to see Chichester celebrate, so we won't be going down there.

"We'll be on the phone to our friends at Sidley, though, to find out the score.

"All we can do is concentrate on winning and then just keep our fingers crossed that they slip up."