MEMBERS of Sheppey Rugby Club were out in force at the weekend trying to get local people to support their Kent Division 1 campaign.

A squad of 15 players set off on the annual ball run on Saturday, cycling around the Island visiting pubs and businesses. Their mission was to raise funds for new equipment for the club, based at Lower Road, Minster.

Companies showed their support by pledging £500, which will help the first team prepare for their first season in this high-flying league.

Vets captain Trevor Beck said: "Money makes success and we want the club to prosper and go forward. "It's not just on the pitch where the effort needs to be put in. We need to be proactive off the pitch to raise funds.

"After the demise of the football club, we are the Island's No 1 team. We are very much a community club and anyone from the Island is welcome to become a social member and use the clubhouse."

Backers will be invited down to one of four sponsor's days to see the team in action, and each pub that has pledged money has been promised a couple of visits by the team on one of their many club nights out.