Essex Eels face a nervous month before they learn whether they will be admitted to next season's National League Division Three.
The Pro-Plumb Eels, who play their first team games at Basildon RFC, are one of several summer conference outfits to apply for two spots on the bottom rung of the game's flagship competition.
They are up against teams from Birmingham, Carlisle and South Wales.
And the official announcement will be made on January 21 when the Eels will learn their fate alongside representatives of the other clubs.
A successful debut season has encouraged their dream of becoming a major player in the Essex sporting scene and bringing the sport of Rugby League to a new audience in the county.
Reaching National League Three would be a huge achievement for the club, which only came into being a year ago.
Club spokesman Adam Butterworth said: "We are fairly confident that we have done enough but we just have to keep our fingers crossed now."
Published Friday January 2, 2004
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