Having won the Touchline SIL Senior league title, the Senior Cup and the Omnico Cup as a player with Grundisbrugh, Felixstowe Harpers United boss Ian Watson knows what to expect this Saturday.

Harpers travel to second-placed Grundisburgh this weekend looking to complete the double over their in-form opponents having thrashed them 5-0 earlier in the season.

But Watson is aware that Mickey Squirrell’s men are much-changed since then, with the title-chasers remaining unbeaten and winning eight out of their last 10 league games since that stand-out fixture.

“We played them at the right time,” confessed Watson.

“They had a lot of change in players over the summer and were still bedding them in.

“5-0 wasn’t really a fair reflection on the game – we just finished our chances.

“They certainly owe us one but it’s up to us to stop them.”

Watson looks back on his time at Grundisburgh with great affection and has the upmost respect for Squirrell, whom Watson played under.

He said: “No matter what people say, Grundisburgh are a massive club and I will always hold the memories close to my heart.

“Mickey, Kenny (Cunningham) and the rest of the management team have done a great job there and I cannot praise them highly enough.

“Thinking back to my playing days under them, I think I learnt a lot from the pair of them.

“Nobody has the same mentality and passion for local football as Mickey, he’s a top guy and I was lucky to work under both him and Kenny.”

Knowing as much as he does about Grundisburgh, who are still hot on the heels of Achilles at the top end of the Senior Division, you’d think that Watson might be able to spring another surprising result on their opponents.

And although still confident of getting something from the game, Watson is fully aware of how much Squirrell’s men have improved since they last met.

“We’ll be playing the Galácticos of the SIL,” he joked.

“Credit to Mickey and co, I thought Achilles might have got away from them at one stage but they’ve assembled a good squad and are still chasing.

“We’re aware of their qualities and it’ll be a huge test for us, my chairman said to me recently ‘how do you stop Grundisburgh?’

“That’s saying something, it’s a fantastic club and I always enjoy going back there although it always feels a little weird.”