I was told by a barroom critic that the elation caused by Kitson's Friday night winner against Reading showed what a fickle bunch Albion supporters are.

Mind you, the same person said a month ago Kitson was a panic buy who would never kick a ball for the Seagulls again.

The injury-plagued striker has come in for plenty of stick from fans understandably irritated by his lack of activity since signing last summer.

His goal at the Madjeski Stadium has gone a long way to winning over supporters. A couple more before the end of the season and, who knows, he might achieve cult status.

One of the main gripes has been the money paid to Kitson and Guy Butters for little return. It is ironic, then, that Kitson's strike at the Madjeski could be worth infinitely more than the club have paid out on his wages this season.

Maybe Albion fans are fickle but they pay their money and have a right to an opinion. Being fickle is a pre-requisite and I speak from experience.

The signing of Kitson was pivotal to the fortunes of former manager Martin Hinshelwood. He needed a big name signing to prove to his doubters he could attract quality players. Critics will argue that, in the haste to secure a credible signing, Kitson's injury record was overlooked.

The pressure was also on chairman Dick Knight, who needed to raise his stock after Peter Taylor walked away, having just secured promotion, citing budgetary difficulties.

True, the club delivered a Premiership striker but until about 9.30pm on Friday it hadn't worked out.

There is a lot to be positive about in Sussex non-League football at the moment. Crawley Town are ambitious and want to play in the Conference, something that has never been achieved by a Sussex side.

I wonder if the Worthing committee regret rejecting two invitations to join in the early Eighties when Barry Lloyd's team were all-conquering.

It looks increasingly likely Crawley will be joined in the Dr Martens premier division by Eastbourne Borough next season.

I admire Borough chairman Len Smith and the set-up at Priory Lane. They have shown everyone in Sussex how to run a non-League club properly.

Burgess Hill have the right balance on and off the pitch and can hopefully progress to the Dr Martens League next season.

Bognor and Lewes are going for promotion to the Ryman premier and, with the probable creation of a Conference division two, it's possible, in the next couple of seasons, Sussex could have a representative in the Conference. Better late than never, 20 years to be exact.

Withdean 2000, the nomadic Combined Counties League side, have their critics and I should know because I was one of them.

But they have stuck to their task and, although faced with an horrendous fixture pile-up, look a good bet to win their league and progress up the football pyramid.

The ongoing Falmer saga means the club won't be back at Withdean in the foreseeable future but that has not stopped them giving something back to the game at grassroots level.

Last week the club hosted a Sportsman's Dinner in Brighton when more than £3,000 was raised as diners were entertained by Jack Charlton amongst others.

Half the money will help fund a football trip to the United States for pupils at Dorothy Stringer School. That has to be a good thing.