Pat and Joel Harding are following in the footsteps of father Matthew and making a name for themselves in football.

The 20-year-old twins may not feature on the national back pages like their Chelsea-mad dad did but they are creating their own headlines at both ends of the pitch with County League Hassocks.

Self-made re-insurance millionaire Matthew Harding, who died in a helicopter crash in October 1996 after watching Chelsea play at Bolton, ploughed millions into the club and was vice-chairman.

Matthew's memory lives on down the Fulham Road and a stand at Stamford Bridge bears his name.

He also helped fund the floodlights at The Beacon, home of Hassocks, where striker Pat and goalkeeper Joel are now shining.

Ironically, Hassocks are one of the few County League division one clubs who refuse to pay players.

It is a policy that Joel, who has represented Sussex with his brother, agrees with.

Joel said: "We don't pay players at Hassocks and everyone is there because they want to be.

"The team spirit is excellent, everyone gets on and we have a good laugh. I don't think anyone should be paid at this level. County League football should be about enjoyment. It is okay when you get up to the Dr Martens League and Ryman but not County League.

"You get clubs which pay a lot early on, find they cannot win anything halfway through the season, stop paying and lose their players. We always do better at Hassocks in the second half of the season as we have the same team all the way through."

The brothers have come up through the ranks at the Robins, playing for the under-11s upwards and were in the successful under-18 side which won the Sussex Youth Cup, League Cup and league.

They now want to win silverware for Dave John's outfit.

Pat, who has scored 20 goals so far this season and is studying Sports Science at Brighton University, said: "It was my first year in the County League last year and I scored 24 goals. This year my target is to beat that.

"I don't think I am good enough to be a professional. I was quite surprised how well I did last season, now I just want to score goals and play at a standard as high as I can."

Joel, who works in the advertsing department at The Argus, said: "At Hassocks there has been a real improvement and we are now becoming a team to beat rather than scrapping at the bottom.

"So much has happened at the club over the past couple of years and there will be a really good set-up there soon because facilities are improving all the time."

Pat added: "I don't think the club has ever finished above seventh in the table so if we could do that this year it would be an achievement.

"There is a possibility we could win a cup in the future but we are not going to win the league."

Spoken like a true Chelsea fan.

Despite being season ticket holders, their playing commitments mean the twins seldom watch Chelsea in action.

However, they have fond memories of going regularly with their dad as children.

Joel said: "We used to go every week, home and away, when we were younger. We never met the players although I did meet Ruud Gullit at my dad's funeral and he shook my hand."

The twins say their dad would have approved of Roman Abramovich's financial input.

Pat said: "It is all good for Chelsea, which he would have liked."

Joel added: "It is so long ago now and football has changed so much. He put money in but not like Roman's amount."

Hassocks boss John said: "They are superb lads and two of the most enthusiastic players at the club. After a two-hour training session they will still be out on the pitch. I have to turn the lights off to get them to come in."

Their father would be pleased to know his money has not been wasted.