COPLESTONIANS have today been given a massive boost with news that they are going to link up with the flourishing SETEC scheme.This is based at Copleston School and currently boys are fed through to Woodbridge Town.

Elvin King

COPLESTONIANS have today been given a massive boost with news that they are going to link up with the flourishing SETEC scheme.

This is based at Copleston School and currently boys are fed through to Woodbridge Town.

From next summer director of SETEC Sean Thatcher will continue to manage the Woodbridge U18 team in the midweek Ridgeons Youth League and use boys from SETEC in his side.

But the main Saturday link will switch from Notcutts Park to Coplestonians who play in the Metaltec SIL, giving the Ipswich-based club a regular supply of talented young players.

Thacker, who coaches with the Ipswich Town academy most nights, plans to get involved with coaching at Coplestonians and he said: “I have my views on the way players should be developed.

“Woodbridge manager Glenn Read and coaches Andy Lawrence and Clive Stafford are proper football people, and I have no problem at all with them.

“The lads in the SETEC scheme need to play regularly, and they will be doing that at weekends with Coplestonians.”

The scheme currently has 18 boys who receive regular football coaching while doing other school subjects between the ages of 16 and 18, and next September's input is expected to be between 15 and 20.

Since Peter Trevivian and Dave Little started the scheme over 20 members have gone on to represent Woodbridge in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League.

When Trevivian took a post with the Football Association, Thacker was recommended to take over at Copleston School three years ago.

“The vibes are very encouraging and I am sure this partnership will work out well, and most importantly benefit the progress of the boys,” said Thacker.

Little, former head of PE at Copleston School, has been involved with Coplestonians since its formation in 1973 and he is currently a committee member and joint manager of the A team.

“This is excellent news,” he said. “We linked with Rushmere Under-18's this year and already have a third team made up of teenagers.

“Playing home games at the school floodlights are out of the question so there is no chance of Coplestonians moving up to the Ridgeons League.

“But we will still offer the SETEC boys a good standard of football and a chance to develop.

“Those who do well will be able to move up the ladder with our blessing - with our job done.

“Both our reserve and A sides will be more about developing youngsters than winning matches, and we will without doubt have one of the best feeder policies in the county.”

Coplestonians first team face a still task tomorrow when Garry Bartlett's side entertain runaway leaders Grundisburgh, who are threatening to run away with the title.

Simon Fryatt's Melton St Audry's have moved into a challenging position and they play Ransomes Sports while the other main contenders - Crane Sports and Capel Plough - meet Felixstowe United and St Johns respectively.