STEVE Buckle today pledged his allegiance to Ipswich Wanderers despite reports linking him with a move to assist new manager Mark Scopes at Woodbridge Town.

Elvin King

STEVE Buckle today pledged his allegiance to Ipswich Wanderers despite reports linking him with a move to assist new manager Mark Scopes at Woodbridge Town.

Buckle will be in charge when the Humber Doucy Lane-based club begin their Ridgeons League First Division fixtures with a home match against Great Yarmouth tomorrow.

“There is a job to do, which I am doing,” said Buckle. “But you can never say never.

“Gary Thompson leaving to join Hadleigh United this week, when he was going to be my assistant, has left me to pick up the pieces.

“I shall know more in a couple of months and when you have no money it is not easy to compete.”

Buckle is hoping to see brand new brick dressing rooms up and running in October, and this will help his ability to attract newcomers to the club.

“At the moment most of our money is going in that direction and I have to say that I'm not sure how my squad will fare. Possibly Gary will take one or two with him to Hadleigh.”

Felixstowe and Walton United have signed former Stockport, Southend United and Leiston front man Tesfaye Bramble.

Glen Driver's side begin their campaign with a Premier Division game at Norwich United tomorrow before entertaining Harwich at Dellwood Avenue on Tuesday.

“Tesfaye signed on Tuesday and hopefully he can make a big impact for us,” said Driver, who has added former Ipswich Town and AFC Sudbury midfielder Lee Norfolk to his coaching and playing staff.

Norfolk has moved across from Stanway Rovers to be assistant player coach and work with Driver and coach Tony Kinsella.

“We have lost players during the summer and have a reduced budget,” added Driver.

“We have kept things low key, but have signed Ben Cranfield, an ex-Colchester professional, Matt Stace from Harwich and Matty Ryland from Mildenhall.

“We have Blake Saker already on a two-year contract and 16-year-old local striker Matt McKenzie has just signed a two-year deal.”

Felixstowe will have Gary Rose and Paul Cudworth competing for the goalkeeper's jersey, with Driver saying: “With Kevin Inglis suspended for three games and other un-availabilities it will be four games down the road before we can field our best side.

“We moved up from rock bottom to 12th after taking over last season and want to progress with at least a top 10 finish.”

Paul Berry has moved on to Leiston and Gavin Crane has been released while Andy Claydon, Paul Betson and Ben Nower have moved to Norwich United, where in total the Norfolk side could have seven ex-Felixstowe players in their squad tomorrow.