For the first time in nearly four decades, Somerset Trojans find themselves ideally poised to clinch the coveted triple crown consisting of the Premier Division championship, Friendship Trophy and FA Cup.

Trojans earned the distinctive title, ‘Silvercity, after clinching an unprecedented three straight triple crowns between 1967 and 1970 under then captain Rudy Minors whose son, Darin, is a member of the West Ender’s current squad.

The Dudley Eve champions are presently locked in a four-horse race for the Premier Division championship, are still in the FA Challenge Cup and on Thursday night advanced to a first Friendship Trophy final since 1994-95 — the club’s 12th overall appearance in the final.

Yet while whispers of triple crown success begin permeating throughout the Somerset community, Trojans’ coach Dennis Brown refuses to get all caught up in the hype. The former Somerset skipper, instead, prefers to take things all in stride.

“I’m not going to put any sort of pressure on the team. It can be a reality, but we must continue to take things one game at a time and not get too far ahead of ourselves,” Brown said.

After enjoying a successful coaching stint at Wolves, Brown returned to his beloved Somerset in 2003-04 and in only one season carried them up from the depths of the First Division.

Now, Brown’s team and their loyal followers are again beginning to acquire the taste for winning cup titles.

“One thing I guaranteed the executive at Somerset when I returned was that within five seasons they would have a trophy in the cabinet. This is my fourth season, and so we are ahead of schedule in terms of where I want to be,” Brown said.

“I think between last season and this season the guys have gained a lot more mental toughness. They know what is expected of them and things are slowly falling into place. But there’s still some ways to go.”

Trojans face neighbouring rivals Ireland Rangers tomorrow in an all West End FA Cup second round derby at Malabar Field.

And Brown believes his team’s First Division opponents will do their utmost best to try and rise to the occasion.

“That’s going to be very difficult because it’s going to be a neighbourhood clash. And if we go into the match complacent thinking Ireland Rangers lost 4-0 in their last match (against Devonshire Colts), then we are going to have a lot of problems,” Brown said.

Rangers nearly upset their more illustrious neighbours last season in the league when they rebounded after trailing 3-1 to come away with an improbable draw.

“After going up 3-1 we took the foot off the peddle, and allowed them back in the match,” Brown recalled. In other FA Cup second round matches tomorrow, two-time defending FA Cup champions Village welcome X Roads to Bernard Park, Devonshire Cougars are away to First Division Southampton Rangers at Southampton Oval, while Boulevard take on Somerset Eagles at BAA Field.

Elsewhere, nine-time champions, PHC, take on Commercial Division Key West Rangers at Southampton Oval, Paget will do battle with St.George’s Colts at Wellington Oval, St.David’s host Devonshire Colts at Lords, while Prospect United lock horns with Commercial rivals Valley FC at Police Field.