SIL FOOTBALL: Alan Middle has had plenty of ups and downs in his seven seasons in charge of Achilles.

He leads his team into action in their Senior Division game against Coplestonians tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) in third place and in a position to compete for the SIL title.

And he is benefitting from the return to football of the Coote brothers Andy and Craig who have returned to the game after lengthy suspensions.

“Both have been banned since I have been in charge at Achilles,” said Middle. “This season they have come back in and been superb.

“They have both proved to be an asset and are now more mature. Craig is troubled by a knee problem and often starts as substitute while Andy is unavailable tomorrow.”

Achilles have spent two seasons in junior football under Middle’s control, but they were in the hunt for the Senior Division title last season – and look like being so again this term.

“I’m reasonably pleased,” added Middle, who now has Lee Osborn as his assistant.

“Lee’s been fantastic and we’ve shown more fight this year, not dropping our heads and winning tough games against Melton St Audry’s and East Bergholt thanks to late goals.

“Coplestonians are also in a false position I believe, and under the astute management of Glen Read will present us with another tough test.”

Middle cannot hide his disappointment at losing Sean Bell and the Hilliard brothers Luke and Liam to Felixstowe United.

“I wish them well and can understand why they left,” added Middle. “The brothers have the ability to play in the Ridgeons League and I’m a bit surprised they did not move in that direction.

“It was a good result for the league with Capel Plough ending Felixstowe’s 100% record last weekend, as it’s kept things open and shown that Felixstowe can be beaten.”

Leaders Ransomes Sports are at Stanton where they will face a tough task against the promoted village side. Any slip-up and Felixstowe – with a game in hand - are poised to go back top with victory at lowly Haughley.

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TRANSFERS: Recent Kingsley Healthcare SIL transfers: Jordan Beaumont (Ipswich Athletic to Parkside),

Mitchell Curtis (Old Newton to Sproughton), Glyn Dixon (Grundisburgh to Wickham Market), Ryan Harrison ( Westerfield to Parkside), Phillip James (Old Newton to Haughley), David Johnson (Bramford to St Clements Hospital), Preston Kemp (Old Newton to Sproughton), Timothy Last (Westerfield to Ipswich Exiles), Benjamin Mason (Stonham to Sproughton), Nick Preston (Henley to Woolverstone), Michael Akehurst (BROB to Bildeston), Paul Chilver (Bramford to Willis), Liam Double (Elmswell to Stowupland Falcons), Gavin Flurrie (Westerfield to Ipswich Athletic), Sean Foster (Bramford to St Johns), Kris Howlett (Stowupland Falcons to Ransomes), Philip King (Westerfield to Sproughton), Kurt Pollen (Capel Plough to Waterside), Dean Smy (Stonham to Sproughton), Paul Wicks (AFC Crowley to Coddenham), Matthew Agate (Parkside to Willis), Robert Bucys (Achilles to Ipswich Exiles), Matthew Catchpole (Stowupland Falcons to Bramford), Adam Chaplin (Elmswell to Bacton), Michael Coleman (Westerfield to Tattingstone), Paul Dodsworth (Grundisburgh to Crane Sports), Daniel Eustace (Henley to Claydon), Paul Felgate (Dennington to Saxmundham), Harry Froud (Henley to Crane Sports), Craig Lockwood (Mendlesham to Old Newton), Robert Page (Coddenham to Henley).