HOW often does it happen? You win the championship. You are the dominant force. You are on top of the world.

But then after the cups have been lifted and the champagne drunk, the next season comes around and the world falls down around you.

Blackburn in the 1990s comes to mind.

The England cricket team after their Ashes success do as well and, while we’re at it, the England rugby team after having conquered the world in 2003.

And could a similar fate be awaiting Priaulx champions North?

The best team in Guernsey last season have been hit by some crushing blows during the summer.

Gone to other clubs are island stars Jon Veron and Dave Rihoy along with highly rated young centre half Jamie Dodd, who looked set to break into their first team this year.

In addition, player of the year Simon Tostevin is out of action until Christmas as he recovers from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Fellow striker AJ Saunders is also suffering from knee problems and looks set to miss the start of the season.

On the face of it, this year could be a real struggle for the chocolate-and-blues if they are to hold onto the title.

‘Obviously they are big losses but we’ve got to get on with it,’ said North boss Mick Le Prevost.

‘I’ll work with the players I’ve got and we’ll get on with it. We’ve got some young players and they are going to come through a lot earlier now but they are good players.

‘Maybe the physical side will be telling but the football side won’t.’

Another factor hitting North is that Stuart Polson has yet to decide whether he will play this season. He had said he was going to come to a decision on his future during the off-season.

While Darren Martin may be the captain of the side, the veteran centre half is the leader.

He turns 35 in September and he has been there and done it all in local football. He has forgotten more than the rest of the young team put together know.

He will spectate at his teammates’ friendly with Jersey Wanderers at Northfield at the weekend and then make up his mind.

‘I’m going to watch the game on Saturday and see how I feel,’ he said.

‘I haven’t ruled it out and I haven’t said that I would. I haven’t done anything physical in anger since the Upton and I certainly wouldn’t do anything without some training.

‘I can’t afford not to at my age. I’ve got to be honest to Mick and the players.

‘If on Saturday I get itchy feet, we’ll go from there.’

Le Prevost hopes that he stays on.

‘Stuart knows the crack. I want him to play but it’s his decision and he’ll let me know when he’s ready,’ he said.

With Veron going to Rangers and Rihoy, who has had the best player in the Channel Islands tag for the last few years, moving to 2006 league champions Bels, Le Prevost is now without two wide men.

Although Veron prefers to play up front, he did a sterling job for North on the right wing last season.

Replacing these two quality players is near on impossible but Le Prevost will look to Junior Muratti star Glyn Dyer and Kyle Stone to fill the void.

Both are small, quick and skilful and each can be a real handful.

Fellow young stars Alex Le Prevost, who is already established in the team in the centre of midfield, Richard Moore from Alderney, defender Jamie Tolcher, the Loaring brothers, Jon and Matt, and Miles Pengelley will all feature during the forthcoming campaign.

‘They’ve got a lot to shoulder this season,’ said Le Prevost.

‘Alex has been in the Priaulx side for two years and Glyn and Kyle have been there before.

‘They are going to have to start producing a bit more and step up another gear and I think they will do as well.

‘I’ve been at this club for a long time and I know their good points and their bad points.

‘It’s going to be a new challenge and a different team from last year.’

Another thing going for North is that they will be hoping that history repeats itself.

Last summer there was practically a fire sale at Northfield as a total of eight players left for other clubs, yet North went on to win the title.

Also they still have quality around the park, which is littered with island players.

Martin can do a job in the back line or midfield.

Ollie McKenzie is the best wing back in the island and Gavin Le Page is one of the leading defensive midfielders around.

Craig Young who also can do a job in the midfield or defence went into the wilderness last campaign as he dealt with some personal problems but, according to Le Prevost, he is back.

The coach has also welcomed Rovers striker Jamie Ferbrache into the fold.

He will certainly be in until the Tostevin and Saunders partnership comes into effect.

‘We’re going to have a young and an exciting team,’ said Le Prevost.

‘They are great players.

‘If we can hang around until Christmas at the top of the league when we’ve got everyone available, you never know what will happen.’