Danny Laws’ departure from Needham Market tinged with sadness

ALTHOUGH proud of his achievements, Danny Laws said there was a “tinge of sadness” that he failed to deliver promotion to the Ryman League Premier Division during his time as manager at Needham Market.

Laws, in his first interview after accepting the post to take over as manager at Leiston, said of his decision to depart Bloomfields after seven years: “I didn’t want to be manager at Needham Market Football Club any more – I felt my time as manager there had come to an end.

“The challenge to manage Leiston is the right time for sure.”

After being pipped to the Ridgeons League Premier Division title on the final day of the 2007/08 season by Soham Town Rangers, Needham Market won the title and promotion to the Ryman League in 2009/10.

In their first season in Division One North the Marketmen finished runners-up and lost in the play-off semi-finals to Brentwood Town, and went one better last season by reaching the play-off final only to lose to Enfield Town.

Laws reflected: “I am sad I did not achieve promotion to the Ryman Premier with Needham Market, particularly in the first season when we had a fantastic group of players and should have gone up.

“Craig Parker and Bradley Barber in midfield were fantastic and Nathan Stone and Sam Newson up front were phenomenal, but it just didn’t happen for various reasons.

“There is a tinge of sadness, but I have left the club in good shape and am proud of what the club has achieved over the last seven years.”