DAVE Diaper is Sholing through and through.

But he’ll be making Gosport Borough his second club after Wembley-winning skipper Byron Mason became the third Boatmen to join the Privett Park ranks this week, writes WENDY GEE.

The powerhouse midfielder, who captained Sholing to a memorable FA Vase/Sydenhams Premier double last season, follows fullback/ midfielder Mike Carter and striker Lee Wort into Alex Pike’s Conference South squad.

And much as manager-turnedchairman Diaper is saddened to see another member of the Boatmen’s 2013/14 dream team depart, he admires Gosport for bucking the trend and building a Conference South squad packed with local talent.

With the likes of Tom Dunford, Rory Williams, Adam Wilde, Dan Wooden, Danny Smith and Justin Bennett on the books, Pike’s 2013/14 FA Trophy finalists have proved that you don’t have to cast the net as far afield as London to build a team capable of competing in non-League’s higher reaches.

“The attraction for me is local players playing for local clubs,”

said Diaper.

“It’s easy for me to say that at our level (Southern One South & West) and not so easy when you go up through pyramid, but Gosport have proved you can do it.

“What they’ve done goes against the grain a bit, but they’ve shown there’s a hell of a lot of local talent around.

“It’s good see a club like Gosport proving that you can compete at that level with a local team.

“London’s a hot-bed of talent, but there doesn’t always seem to be much allegiance.

“Gosport are run on very similar lines to Sholing. While they take their football seriously, it’s important the players enjoy it.

“You only need to look at Benno’s (Justin Bennett’s) performances.

He could have left when he went out on loan last season, but he stayed with Gosport and he’s scoring goals.

“Adam Wilde has stayed loyal to them too even though he was disappointed not to get off the bench in the Trophy final.

“It’s testament to Gosport that they can keep hold of these players.”

Much as Diaper feels sad to lose Mason, a player he has known and nurtured for 11 years, he is delighted that the 27-year-old has the chance to prove himself further up the pyramid.

“To me Byron is a complete player, he’s excellent. It will be interesting to see how far he can go,” he said.

“It’s all been amicably done.

Byron’s 27 now and he’s proved he’s more than adequate playing in the Southern League. He needs to be tested at a higher level and hopefully he can go to Gosport and show he’s worthy of a contract.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Byron.

I’ve seen him grow as a person since he was 16. He works for me and he’s a real nice guy. I just want him to do well, he deserves the opportunity to progress.

“It’s sad that another one’s gone from the 2013/14 team but, like I said to Byron, I don’t want him looking back when he’s 30 and saying ‘if only.’ ”

Having struck up a friendship with Pike over the years, Diaper is confident Mason will be well taken care of.

“Alex is a good manager, his skills are unique,” he smiled. “I know Byron will get treated fairly at Gosport and well looked after.

“Carts and Worty are both doing well there and I’m going to be a bit of a Gosport fan from now on. If Sholing aren’t playing and there’s a situation where I can go and watch them, I will.

“Gosport are making the right inroads.

“I was given hospitality there when they played Larkhall in the FA Cup and you can see they’re doing things right off the field. I’ve got a lot of time for Alex, chairman Mark Hook and the people of Gosport. They’re a well-run club.”

Byron is the middle of three Mason brothers to have progressed through the Sholing ranks, along with forwards Barry and Daniel.

The club prides itself on youth production and Diaper said: “We won’t stand in anyone’s way of going higher.

“If Sholing end up being a feeder team to clubs further up the pyramid, so be it. At least we’re doing it in the right manner.

“I’d rather have players pushing forward and bettering themselves than going sideways or downwards.

“If that means players going to Eastleigh, Gosport, Havant or whoever, so be it. That’s where we are in football.

“I’ve said to Alex that if he’s got players at Gosport who need match time then to think about us first.”