Fakenham's time to do better in league
Fakenham Town kick off their Ridgeons League programme on Saturday at home to Halstead (3pm) determined to avoid a repeat of the last two seasons which saw them often anchored to the foot of Division One, writes John Cushion.
Fakenham Town kick off their Ridgeons League programme on Saturday at home to Halstead (3pm) determined to avoid a repeat of the last two seasons which saw them often anchored to the foot of Division One, writes John Cushion.
After watching Fakenham beat Aylsham 4-1 in Saturday's home friendly, new club chairman Geoff Saunders said: “We need to get back to a winning theme.
“We have signed some good players. From a club point of view I want to see them do well and go for a middle of the table finish.
“I want people to come here and feel wanted and I want to get the local atmosphere we used to get at Baron's Hall Lawn.”
Although there are no rash promises coming from Clipbush Park, against a background of a new streamline committee, manager Wayne Anderson has prepared for his first full season in charge by re-signing key players, persuading others to stay - including a batch of promising youngsters who made an impact last season - and signing new ones.
To solve the goal scoring problem of the last couple of years, Anderson has given Gayton's Nicky Bunting a chance to step up to a higher level, and is looking for an injury-free Danny Foulsham from his former club Downham to start making an impact.
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Ben Coe, Luke Greer and Royce Rawlings have also been tempted from Downham while the ex-King's Lynn group of Steve Harvey, Matt Gilchrist, Lee Hyde, Tom Rix and Darryl Rose have stayed in Ghosts' colours.
Under-18 products such as Jake Betts, Dan Savory and Yiotti Alamanos are ready to roll again, and the youth section contains several more local players of high promise. Jason Cole is returning to the club.
From manager Anderson come no rash predictions. “Just a promise that we shall work as hard hard as is required to make sure this club is in its rightful place.
“The mood of the club is certainly one of expectation rather than gloom.”
Saturday's match, for which several players will not be available because of holiday and other commitments, is followed by a Tuesday night league trip to Gorleston (ko 7.45).
Stowmarket are at Clipbush Park on August 14.
