Former Norwich City men Craig Fleming and Dave Carolan have been rated as Micky Chapman's 'best signings ever' after helping Lowestoft Town move into a new era this season.

Former Norwich City men Craig Fleming and Dave Carolan have been rated as Micky Chapman's “best signings ever” after helping Lowestoft Town move into a new era this season.

Instead of adding overpriced players to their numbers a year ago, Chapman and fellow joint manager Ady Gallagher recruited Fleming and Carolan to their management team - and it paid huge dividends as the Blues swept all before them in the Ridgeons Premier League and made it a double by winning the Suffolk Premier Cup.

“Dave and Flem have been different class,” said Chapman. “They came into the management team, and what a couple of guys.

“With their professionalism, they have added in every department and the boys have loved it.

“In all my time at the club I would put them up there with the best signings ever.”

Chapman admitted the decision not to strengthen the squad which got the final of the FA Vase at Wembley a year ago was met with some surprise in some circles - especially as they opted instead to bring in ex-City defender and skipper Fleming and the Canaries former sports scientist Carolan, who now works with Colchester United.

“We did take a lot of criticism earlier in the season for not making any signings pre-season,” he said.

“After trying for a couple of players and being unsuccessful we decided on a different approach.

“That was the approach we decided to go for and look how it's worked out. They are top blokes, they've got a professional background - Craig Fleming has played at the very top against the best players in the Premiership while Dave Carolan is still in the pro game at Colchester.

“They came on board with us and made a difference. They are top blokes as well, really down to earth, great guys who know the job.”

Now Chapman is hoping the newest half of the management team will remain on board for Lowestoft's latest adventure in the Ryman League Division One North.

“Dave and Craig want to stay,” Chapman revealed. “They are in demand, I'm not going to lie. Other clubs have been sniffing around, including clubs from a higher level. Dave works with Colchester anyway, but Flem is in demand from clubs at a higher level.

“They both want to be here. Dave has his commitment to Colchester, but when he finishes his job there he shoots back here, does his work for Lowestoft Town, and he loves it.

“Flem has been involved all season and has been absolutely different class, he loves it here.

“He knows what a good squad we've got, what players we've got and everything is geared up to take us to a higher level and he wants to be part of that.

“We want to stay together. The four of us get on really, really well we all communicate with one another and you've got to have that camaraderie to be successful - and it's proved this year that we've got it as we've picked up two trophies.”