The Seagulls might be on their way down, but an alternative Brighton team have been crowned champions of their league for the first time.

The Brighton Bandits, the city's gay football club, finished top of the Gay Football Supporters' Network after winning the last game of their season, beating Village Manchester one-nil.

Midfielder Jason Keedy said: "We are a team that's knocking on a bit now. It was probably one of our last chances to win the league so we are all delighted."

The Bandits, managed by Matt Haywood, draw players from across Sussex and have played as a team for seven years.

Before the Gay Football Supporters' Network league started four years ago, the players used to go to watch football games and played against each other on Hove Lawns.

Their 11-a-side team was started with sponsorship from The Amsterdam Hotel in Marine Parade, The Scarman Trust, a community charity, and Brighton Pride. Two years ago the Bandits came third in the league, while last year they clinched second place. Now they are celebrating being crowned champions.

Mr Keedy, a Bradford fan who also supports the Seagulls, said he realised that the impact of the win did not compare to the fortunes of The Albion but he said it was a bonus for a team which acted as a positive role model for young gay people.

He said: "We are bringing an access point for people who aren't interested in drinking, dancing and going out on the gay scene. It proves the diversity.

"If you were to meet us, we are the sort of guys you would pass in the street and you wouldn't identify as being gay. We don't fit into a certain specification.

"In 1999 when I first came out it was by joining the club."

Mr Keedy, 34, from Queen's Park, runs a holiday business.

Ian McDonald, who is making a documentary about the team, said: "Winning the league is a real achievement. While football is in the doldrums in Brighton, it is nice to see football fans have got something good to cheer."

Their winning goal on Sunday was scored by new signing Michael Scragg with a first-half penalty.

Mr McDonald, whose documentary will be shown next year, said: "Last year they went to Bristol for the decider and lost four-three.

"This time they went to Manchester, where they were the underdogs. They played really well. They were very determined. They're a great team."

The Bandits, whose average age is about 35, were older than the competition. They also had far fewer fans at the game than Village Manchester, who were playing at home in Eccles.

The team practises regularly in Preston Park and also organises social events.

They are looking for new male and female members, who do not have to have played before and do not have to join the competitive 11-a-side team.

Mr McDonald, from Hove, a sociologist at Brighton University, is studying homophobia in football. His film about the Bandits will be shown at film festivals.

The team will collect their trophy at a ceremony in Newcastle in June.

To find out about the Bandits, visit www.banditsfc.org