IT WAS a case of first things first when Tottonians Rugby Club decided the time had come to step up the league ladder.

Totts were well aware they had to improve on the pitch -- but they knew that any playing success needed strong foundations and there was plenty of tough tackling ahead on the sidelines before they could build their own club-house.

But anyone who doubted the ambition of Totts in their battle to become bigger and better need only look at the Hampshire 1 League table as it stands today.

At the end of the season Tottonians proudly sit on top, eight points clear and have their deserved ticket out of the Hampshire League for the first time in their history safely tucked in their pocket.

The feat is just reward for every member of the club who show as much commitment and team spirit off the park as on it.

Just two-and-a-half years ago Tottonians were the poor relation of the Hampshire League when it came to facilities.

Opponents turned up and played on their home turf at Totton College then, after getting cleaned up, had to drive almost a mile-and-a-half to the wooden, shack-like, clubhouse that was frequently the target of vandals.

Tottonians knew even 15 years ago that rugby had to come second if they were to progress - number one priority was to build their own headquarters.

Hopes were dashed time and time again as builders moved into the town and filled up green sites with house upon house and other promising deals fell through at the last hurdle.

Ironically the relentless search for a building plot ended on their own doorstep when, with the help of the local authority, National Lottery and £70,000 of their own money, they built a clubhouse on the college ground two years ago that is now the envy of the league.

Chairman Paul Searle said: "The club has a solid foundation and has built up its resources steadily since erecting the purpose-built club-house. The advantage we have as a club is an extremely strong and faithful committee of around 36 members. Some might say that is too many but everyone has a job to do and they all do them well."

Many of the players have only ever pulled on the green, white and black hooped shirt, such is the loyalty which stems from a firm youth policy. Even when they were operating from the wooden hut, Totts would regularly cater for up to 200 children from around Hampshire.

"We now have a full complement of youth rugby from under-7s to under-17s. Steve Chester has done a fantastic job in this area and through his commitment we should see the fruits of our youth programme putting fresh players into the senior sides every year from now on," addded the chairman.

"It is also rewarding that our main sponsors - Rope & Tackle, R&M Electrical Wholesalers and Scotthall - who started their relationships with Tottonians many years ago.

"The facilities we have fought so hard to get are not just for our use. We welcome more spectators from the town to come and cheer for us on Saturday afternoons and we are going to need them even more when we step up to London 3 South West next season."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.