At 24, he becomes the first Worthing RFC product to be taken by a National League 1 club in the era of rugby's modern structure.

The former Worthing High School lad played soccer for Worthing Dynamos, Brighton & Hove Albion Centre of Excellence, then Geoff Raynsford's Worthing United in the Sussex County League, as a centre-half. Mark Sambrook, a Worthing RFC player and one of his school teachers, suggested rugby and as a 17-year-old, Alcott became part of the WRFC Under-19 Juniors team.

Previously, a small number of Worthing's colts had joined first-class clubs, such as Paul White to Waterloo, and Graham Childs, who played for England in Argentina and last month took part in Lawrence Dallaglio's testimonial game. Four years ago, WRFC Player of the year Paul Cox joined London Welsh but he was a Horsham student out of Chichester College who also came to the game in late teens.

Now Cox and Alcott will be opposing each other next season in National One, where the Exiles ended mid-table but the Chiefs snatched runners-up spot from Nottingham with a last-gasp try at Doncaster Knights. Only champions Northampton Saints go up into the Guinness Premiership, however.

Alcott has been signed on to challenge No 1 choice Neil Clark, formerly of Bristol, just recruited from National One-relegated Launceston.
These will be Alcott's first days in the West Country.

He said: "I will be almost a full-time player. I'll be working one or two days a week and staying in a house with several other players. I wanted to move up the leagues and see what I can do.

"Our forwards coach Will Green (formerly of England] fixed up for me to go down there and train with them for a day.

"I've just completed my plumbing apprenticeship, so I've now got a trade and now I can travel. But I will miss the banter at Worthing."

Director of rugby Ian Davies paid his own tribute: "Simon's a ferocious tackler and a good ball carrier. He has gained strength and has a committed fitness programme which has helped him stay relatively injury-free this season. That's enabled him to put in consistent performances and to show how good he is."

Apart from Alcott, before next season, Raiders will need to replace departing the New Zealanders, Jamie Stewart-McDonald, scrum-half, Todd Murphy and utility back Duncan Taylor.

They will need to qualify under new work permit controls before being able to return.

But injury is likely to end the careers, also, of centre Chris Yates and wing Phil Williams.

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