Sussex promotion feels "very special" - Kirtley

James Kirtley took 980 wickets in all formats for Sussex as a player, winning three County Championship titles

Four years ago, James Kirtley believed Sussex "lacked respect", now his boyhood club are back into the top flight of English cricket.

Sussex secured a return to Division One of the County Championship for the first time since 2015 on Thursday after a thumping innings-win against Gloucestershire.

Victory created an unassailable lead over third-placed Middlesex and sees Sussex go into the final game of the season with a 20-point lead over Yorkshire, knowing the title is comfortably within reach too.

"We had to make some brave decisions and it was tough," former England seamer Kirtley and, the side's current bowling coach, told BBC Radio Sussex on the club's time outside of the first division.

"There's plenty of those players that lacked respect from other counties. We lacked respect, probably, from the supporters and we've had to work through that."

Head coach Paul Farbrace's arrival in late 2022, has brought a considerable upturn in Sussex's fortunes, taking them from second bottom in Division two, to promotion in just two seasons.

Kirtley's time at the county, however, has been much more of a whirlwind.

He permanently joined Sussex in 2019 as a pace-bowling coach, following a two-year consultancy role with the club.

Kirtley was then named joint head coach along with Ian Salisbury a year later, with the pair replacing former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie.

But, after just two wins in 28 games and issues over the handling of off-spinner Jack Carson, former England leg-spinner Salisbury departed leaving Kirtley, then running the T20 side, to take full control for three months before former Sri Lanka head coach Farbrace's arrival.

"You're living that journey, you're living each ball and you're seeing the reactions of the players," Kirtley said, before adding when players go through tough times "you're feeling the pain with them".

Bowler Henry Crocombe (centre-right) is one of 10 players in Sussex's squad under the age of 23

Kirtley's time in Sussex has largely overseen the trials and tribulations of a young crop of cricketers who, despite a confidence-wrecking start, are finally beginning to fulfil their potential.

Young talent such as Henry Crocombe, who is also from Eastbourne, is one example.

The medium-fast bowler has been at Sussex since 2020 and endured the troublesome 2021 and 2022 seasons as a 19 and 20-year-old.

Two years on, he has made remarkable progress this season and played a key part in the win over Gloucestershire, taking 4-22 in their second innings - a performance Kirtley called "massively impressive".

"He's had to wait and bide his time," said Kirtley.

"He's had to work hard and he's actually had an opportunity [in 2024] to develop and understand his cricket as opposed to leading an attack at 19 years of age.

"It just shows if we get the environment right, we get the right people, the right support, then these guys are going to flourish."

Trust in youth by Farbrace key for Sussex

As well as the rise of Sussex's younger squad members, Farbrace's experience and positive influence over the club cannot be overlooked.

Hailing from Kent, Farbrace, 57, set out his intentions for the club when he signed 36-year-old wicket keeper John Simpson, addressing the clear gap in experience, as well as recruiting several overseas players.

"Farby's come in and talked about expecting to win and that's massively powerful," Kirtley said.

"You add a few individuals and the overseas players that we've had - bowlers like Jayden [Seales] and Nathan [McAndrew] and latterly now Jaydev [Unadkat].

"They're never afraid to bowl their overs. That's amazing to see them put the effort in but what they're offering off the pitch is phenomenal."

Trusting a process, in Sussex's case a crop of promising players, holds no guarantees but patience has finally rewarded Kirtley, the players and the club's supporters.

For Kirtley, promotion marked the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel in Hove.

"Sitting in the dressing room with them all and enjoying a beer, it's a very special moment," he said.

"One that I think we can all recognise the adversity we've had to go through to get to this point."

Paul Farbrace (centre) led Sri Lanka to the 2014 T20 World Cup title as a coach