Deal Town manager Steve King on Southern Counties East Premier Division title glory, the support of his family and a 3-1 win over Lydd Town in front of a record crowd

Manager Steve King thanked his family for their support after Deal secured the Southern Counties East Premier Division title on Saturday.

A 3-1 home win in front of a record crowd of more than 1,400 against Lydd was enough to ensure the Hoops will finish as champions, with four league matches still to play.

Teenage forward Jamie Kennedy gave them a great start and substitute Ife Oni made sure of the points in the second half after a bizarre own goal within second-half seconds.

The Lydders did get one back but they were well beaten and, with Corinthian losing 2-0 at VCD, Deal could get their promotion party started.

On the bumper crowd, King, cousin of defender Joe Reeves, said: “When I came out onto the pitch before the game, I got a bit of a lump in my throat.

“I’ve got to mention my family and my fiancé, Kelly. I’m football mad and they have suffered.

“I haven’t missed a game, I haven’t missed a training session for nine years. I have missed birthdays, I have missed weddings and a lot of other stuff to try and do this, and for them to be here as well, it was nice to spend some moments with them after the game.

Report: Deal 3-1 Lydd

“They have been so supportive of me. People don’t realise that this isn’t paid. It’s not my job! It should be a hobby - but it’s more a second job.

“Our families and the people closest to us are the ones that suffer most. To have won it at home and to have those people here to see how much it means to everybody, I hope they understand the commitment.

“But a massive thank you to my fiancé and the family.

“I’m not easy, I hate losing, I’m intense and they suffer, really. I was really proud when I saw the crowd and to have so many family and friends among that.

“That was really nice.”

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