Worthing Thunder offered BBL slot

Worthing Thunder to get franchise ahead of Brighton Cougars

Worthing Thunder have received a conditional invite to join the British Basketball League for 2008/2009.

The current EBL champions were competing with East Sussex club Brighton Cougars and possibly two other franchises for limited places.

Thunder director Frank Gainsbury told BBC Southern Counties Radio: "We're not ones to count chickens yet.

"But having had a quick look at the franchise agreement, we're optimistic there's nothing that might put us off."

The BBL is expected to officially confirm all the successful bidders just ahead of the play-off final weekend in May.

But Gainsbury is saying little on plans for team development for the higher league, insisting: "Coach Gary Smith will deal with all of that, and we won't be making any decisions until after the end of this current season."

The advantage we had is we were an established club needing to notch up a level rather than start from scratch Frank Gainsbury

Worthing Thunder's joy is Brighton Cougars' heartbreak as their bid was unsuccessful.

Club administrator Anne Baverstock told BBC Southern Counties Radio: "We are disappointed but will look closely at our future plans regarding the BBL, which we will then be making known.

"We must extend sincere thanks to all those businesses and individuals who have supported us to date, and we look forward to maintaining those positive relationships into the future."

Fellow Cougars director Sean Jupp added: "Our aim in seeking a BBL franchise was to develop basketball in Sussex for the positive benefits it can bring.

"We will continue to build on our current initiatives, working towards the further development of basketball in the community. In doing this we will be able to draw on what we have learnt and the excellent contacts made while making the BBL bid."

Thunder's Frank Gainsbury has some sympathy for their East Sussex neighbours, and said: "They must be terribly upset about it, and we're disappoitned too as it would have been good to have two clubs in Sussex.

"But I guess the advantage we had is we were an established club needing to notch up a level rather than start from scratch."