Sussex football's hottest striker has been dubbed Roy of the Rovers by his club manager.

Mile Oak marksman Neil Roberts has bagged 15 goals in his last six appearances for the County League division two outfit. It is the sort of form which comic book stories are made of and Mile Oak boss Tony Gratwicke would agree with that suggestion.

Gratwicke said: "Neil is Mile Oak through and through. He is the original amateur player and I call him my Roy of the Rovers."

Roberts, 33, played a handful of games earlier in the season without scoring and was then sidelined for a spell through injury. He did not open his account until scoring four times in a 5-1 win over Hailsham Town in December.

Then the goals flowed. In the space of eight days, culminating with last Saturday's win over Westfield, Roberts struck nine goals. He netted four in a 7-1 win over Lingfield, two against the same opposition in a 5-2 cup success and then a hat-trick against Westfield.

While his hot streak may be making headlines at the moment, the goals have been flying in for years.

Roberts played for Albion's youth team as a youngster, then had spells with Southwick and Shoreham, but has been playing for Mile Oak for the last 11 years, scoring over 120 goals.

And all for nothing! Mile Oak are well known for not paying players. In fact, they charge them match fees. Roberts, who lives in Portslade, said: "It is a friendly club, it is local and a lot of my mates play there.

"I have been offered the chance to go elsewhere but I have always enjoyed it here. I have been very loyal to Tony, but he has been loyal to me."