The future of Sheppey Rugby Club is in safe hands.

That’s the view of club stalwart and vice-president Geoff Hyde who, speaking after the club’s Kent 1 defeat against Dartfordians at The Ditch last Saturday, said: “We are going to stick with the youngsters. They are the way ahead for this club.

“The oldest player out there today was 29 and more than half of them were under 21.

“We have the continued support of the schools on the Island and can re-establish ourselves as a force again.”

Hyde, who has been connected with the club since 1969 and is a past chairman, added: “The club is moving in the right direction. We have around 100 boys and girls playing for our colts – from under-7s to under-17s – and they are the future of the club.

“We are ambitious but it is going to take a little time. Our coach Frank Davis is doing a great job here and we have always had good home support.”