As Deal Town have been crowned SCEFL Champions on Saturday at their final game of the season against Stansfeld, KSN have been talking to one member of the Hoops squad for whom this was his third Champions medal in three seasons. 

When Sheppey won the League in 2022, the keeper was Adam Molloy; when Erith & Belvedere won it last year, the keeper was Adam Molloy, and on Saturday when Deal receives their crown, the keeper will be… Adam Molloy – three years, three different teams, three Championship winning medals! 

“It hasn’t sunk in properly yet,” Molloy admitted when we spoke. “It’s a great achievement and I’ve been really fortunate with the three different teams that I’ve played for with some really great players.” 

“But then again on the flip side, if it happens once or twice, it might be called a coincidence, but three times in a row I must be doing something quite well! I am sure that there will be people who will beg to differ but there will be those who agree,” he went on. “When I look back when I finish playing it’ll be something that is a really great standout!” 

Molloy arrived at the Charles Ground mid-season after first choice keeper Henry Newcombe was ruled out of the season. “Kingy needed a goalkeeper, and I was his first call,” Molloy recalled.

“It is a really good club and were in a decent position in the League, I knew a few of the boys in the dressing room already and I knew that they had great ambition; it was an all-round good fit as Kingy used to be my manager when I was young and played for the County. Having played against them for many years, I know what a tough place it is to come to and thought it was a good fit and maybe win another League title!” 

“It would have been nice to have played in the Vase run, but James Tomkin, who stepped in for Henry is a really good keeper and but for work commitments would probably be in the team now. Obviously, it would have been nice to have played, but I knew coming in that it would not be happening – it was great to see the boys get to the last eight; would have been so nice to see them get further but it was not to be!” 

We wondered which of the three Champion sides were the “better”? “That is a really tough question,” came the response. “Every team has their own individual qualities,at Sheppey we were up against an absolute juggernaut in Chatham not just winning the League with a record 102 points but to win all four was amazing; real togetherness and playing some really great stuff!” 

“The Erith side, we ran away with it and then a few manager changes made it a bit tricky but, in the end, we got over the line quite comfortably, but this Deal side the togetherness is different level! As soon as I played my first game away to Lydd when we won 2-0, I remember telling some of my friends in football that this team is going to win the League! They doubted me, but the real togetherness of the boys and knowing what they are good at!” 

“It really would be hard for me to say as each team has their own individual qualities – Deal are very resilient; Sheppey when we played, we were unplayable at times; the consistency at Erith & Belvedere!” 

“I hope to stay here – it’ll depend on Kingy offering me a new deal; it’s been really, really enjoyable – the fans have been absolutely great – it’s on the cards to stay, but we will see!”