Essex Eels are quietly confident of taking their place in National League Three next season - but waiting to learn their status is not slowing preparations for the coming season.

Club secretary Paul Savin has seen rumours in the Rugby League press suggesting the Pro-Plumb sponsored Eels are on the verge of being accepted into the UK-wide competition, but insists that 2004 will be a year of growth for the club whatever happens.

"We are continuing to develop our exciting juniors and all five Essex Champions School teams are in action before the end of the month as they seek to make it to the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff in May," he said.

"Additionally the Essex City Origin versus Country Origin games to decide the Junior Eels County Representative side begin soon.

"Invitations to the International Nines Tournaments in London, York and Rotterdam are indicative of the club's growing reputation across the world and the upcoming talent through the Junior Eels will see us with a constant stream of players steeped into the game as the Eels continue to build a Rugby League community."

The pre-season warm-up games will soon be underway, with Eels taking on London Skolars on January 18 in Wood Green.

Published Thursday January 8, 2004

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