Six of the best sees the Sun keep rising

MANCHESTER United haven't managed it and neither have Barcelona, but a few weeks back, with matches to spare, Rising Sun made it six league titles in a row.

Now while the Herne Bay and Whitstable Sunday League is obviously a very different kettle of fish to the Premiership or La Liga, this latest title success marks another milestone for Westmeads Rec-based Rising Sun, or Riser as they are known in local football circles.

"Six in a row has never been done before," said player/ manager Gavin Theze. "Even the great Chislet side from the 1970s only managed five on the bounce.

"Some people say 'It's only Sunday football', but as far as I'm concerned it's a major achievement at any level of the game.

"We're all really chuffed."

And so they should be. This season, even by their own high standards, Riser have been especially dominant, imperious almost.

In the Premier Division they won all 14 of their games, recording a plus 25 goal difference. The last side to go unbeaten all season in the top flight were Queen's Head, league champions back in the 1982/83 season.

Rising Sun's only previous title win, prior to their six in a row success, was back in the 1994/95 season.

"The most pleasing thing about our success over the last few years is that we've rebuilt the side along the way," said Theze, 42, who in his younger days played semi-professional Kent League football for, among others, Faversham Town, Herne Bay, Whitstable Town and the old Canterbury City.

"We have continued winning through that stage of transition."

Theze has been connected with the club for more than twenty years. Rising Sun was formed back in 1986, taking their name from the old Rising Sun pub in Harwich Street, Whitstable, which was long ago knocked down and replaced by housing.

"It was a sports pub," recalled Theze.

"A great pub. A lot of people still miss it."

There have been a couple of name changes along the way. They were briefly Belmont Social for the 1997/98 season and known as Waterfront from 1998 through to 2002.

But since the 2002/03 season they have been Rising Sun once again and silverware has flowed their way pretty consistently since.

In addition to the team's league success, there has also been no shortage of cup glory over the years, not least lifting the prestigious county-wide Kent Premier Cup in 2003/04 and 2010/11.

This season they bowed out at the semi-final stage.

The secret of Rising Sun's success?

Theze said: "Quite simply it's a desire to win, from the players to the management.

"Everyone associated with the club will run through a brick wall for each other."

This loyalty extends as far as the club's followers, who turn out regularly to make Riser one of the best supported Sunday teams around.

"We've got a lot of local lads and people always want to see local players do well," said Theze.

"Also, we're a good side and people enjoy the football we play."

With the league title in the bag, Rising Sun are now looking to end the season with yet more silverware.

This Sunday they take on AFC Royals in the final of the Fletcher Memorial Cup, which takes place at Herne Bay FC's Winch's Field ground.

"They're a good side," said Theze of AFC.

"In fact despite what the league table suggests we haven't had an easy game all season."