DAVID Thompson has moved to Framlingham Town to help fulfil his ambition of managing at Ridgeons League level.The Badingham Road-based outfit have applied to move up from the Metaltec SIL, and a top-three finish in the Senior Division is likely to see them move up to level six football.

Elvin King

DAVID Thompson has moved to Framlingham Town to help fulfil his ambition of managing at Ridgeons League level.

The Badingham Road-based outfit have applied to move up from the Metaltec SIL, and a top-three finish in the Senior Division is likely to see them move up to level six football.

They have all the other requirements for that level of football including floodlights, a grandstand and a much-admired playing surface.

“We have some work to do on the field but third place still looks an option if we can put a run together,” said Thompson, who this month became joint manager of Framlingham with Rob Allum.

A 3-1 win over Ipswich Athletic last Saturday saw Framlingham occupy eighth place, five points behind third-placed Melton St Audry's with a match in hand.

Thompson left Stowupland Falcons just after Christmas as he felt he could not take them any further. “I felt I had gone as far as I could,” said Thompson. “The call from Rob came after I had left Falcons and he did not take long to sell me the club.

“The players Rob has at Framlingham are good enough to take them up - and the club mirrors my ambitions.”

Thompson was in charge at Stowupland for nearly five years and took them into senior football four years ago. He also took them to Portman Road where they were beaten by AFC Sudbury reserves in the final of the Suffolk Junior Cup.

“I was pleased Falcons won last weekend,” said Thompson, who lifted them into championship contention for much of last season. “They have plans to move up to Ridgeons level, but need a new ground and this is likely to take around five years to come to fruition.

“I played most of my career in the top flight of the Ridgeons League with Hadleigh, Cornard, Stowmarket, Diss and Bury Town - and now I have served my apprenticeship it is my aim to manage at that level.

“We missed striker Lee Drummond this season at Stowupland after his 20 goals last term. Someone like that is difficult to replace, and I will be meeting up with Lee again at Framlingham.”

Dean Ling has moved up from assistant manager to take charge at Stowupland and he is now running the side jointly with Shaun Tynan, who has moved in the opposite direction from Thompson having previously been Allum's assistant at Framlingham.

“I would like to thank David for all his efforts during his time with us and wish him sincere best wishes for the future,” said Stowupland chairman Morris Brand.

Framlingham are at home to Woodbridge Athletic tomorrow - while Falcons can do their old manager a favour by beating St Audry's. Crane Sports - unbeaten this season - can move to within six points of leaders Grundisburgh with two games in hand if they win the battle of the two title favourites.

Andy Crump netted a hat-trick for Grundisburgh last Saturday in their win over St Audry's while playing as a makeshift striker. He moved up from his regular central defensive berth to cover for injury.