Albion have now completed a hat-trick of championships, thanks to the ladies' side.

Following on the success of Micky Adams' Third Division title winners and the Youth Alliance League under-17s crown, Albion Ladies have now clinched the AXA Women's Southern Premier League.

The title was secured last weekend with a 5-1 win over Barking, which featured a four-goal blast from Emma Mead.

With only one team promoted to the AXA National Premier League, victory was vital for Albion ahead of their final game of the season against promotion rivals Chelsea on Tuesday evening, which they lost 1-0 with an understrength side.

Promotion means Albion will now be playing the likes of Arsenal, Doncaster Belles, Everton, Charlton, Southampton and Leeds United.

The team, which is managed by former Whitehawk men's team boss Butch Reeves, has essentially been together for three years and missed out on promotion last season when they were pipped to top spot on goal difference by Barry Town.

This year they have lost just twice and drawn twice from their 22 league games.

Mead is the top scorer this season while other prominent names are skipper Siobhan Melia, a former Arsenal player, former England under-21 Natalie Birch and Kerry Dawkins, who was called up for England last season.

Albion's women and girls' section now features eight teams with sides at every level from under-11 to under-15 plus a youth side, the senior side and a reserve team.

Albion chief executive Martin Perry, who presented champagne to the team at Chelsea on Tuesday, said: "The women and girls' section is now fully integrated within the club. However, it is still an amateur side, managed by a committee of dedicated volunteers.

"This is a fantastic achievement and very well deserved. We congratulate everyone involved. It caps a season for the women and girls' section where almost every team at each level from under-11 upwards have won or come second in their individual competitions.

"It has been an amazing centenary year for the Albion."

The women are hoping to build on their success. They are looking to turn professional, they are in the process of setting up a football academy at Worthing College and will also soon have their own web site.

They are also trying to secure a sponsor to support their National League campaign next year.

Before then Albion will be visiting Burkina Faso from June 2-9 as part of a scheme to promote women in sport in Africa.

Secretary Sue Waite is grateful for the help from the parent club. She said: "The board and Martin Perry are fully behind us."