IT appears Basildon United have won an unlikely new supporter this season…none other than Bowers & Pitsea manager Rob Small.

The Bowers chief has been spotted wearing the colours of Basildon United in sunny Portugal, with even his opposite number Craig Gillam’s name printed on the back.

However it was not Small’s preferred choice as he was the butt of the joke on his stag do.

A number of Bowers players, including captain Scott Pethers, Frank Everett and Martyn Guest were behind the joke, along with the Basildon manager himself as Small prepares to tie the knot later this month.

“We thought it would be funny to give Smallsy the Basildon kit,” said Pethers. “We had it made up with Craig’s name on the back and he wore it around Portugal.

“He even had to wear football boots.”

So rest assured Bowers fans, Small will not be crossing the divide come this summer.