A RUN of four straight wins has lifted Framlingham Town up to fourth place in the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL - and within touching distance of their long-held dream to bring Ridgeons League football to the town.

Elvin King

A RUN of four straight wins has lifted Framlingham Town up to fourth place in the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL - and within touching distance of their long-held dream to bring Ridgeons League football to the town.

Since 1992, when Mel Aldis led Framlingham to the SIL title and they were denied 'promotion' because their dressing rooms were too far from the pitch, there has been an itching at Badingham Road to move up the football ladder.

Part of the following 16 years has been spent in junior football, but manager Trevor Wardlaw lifted Framlingham back into the top flight last term thanks to a third space becoming available with Brantham's elevation to the Ridgeons League.

Wardlaw's assistant Rob Allum took over when the former left last summer, and he has to be happy with his side's current fourth place.

But he is taking nothing for granted saying: “The last time Framlingham made an early application for a Ridgeons League place they ended up getting relegated from the Senior Division of the SIL.

“We are not tempting fate this time. The plan is to move up however, and we will see whether it comes. If it does it does, and we will grab it with both hands. Our facilities certainly deserve the best standard of football.”

Recognised as having one of the best grounds in Suffolk, Framlingham visit St Johns - - last season's other promoted side along with Woodbridge Athletic - at Gainsborough Sports Centre tomorrow.

Unbeaten in six games, this record includes an abandoned game against Stonham Aspal two weeks ago when Framlingham were leading 2-0 with 15 minutes left and a snowstorm caused a halt.

Allum, who worked alongside Mark Barnard at Haughley for a couple of years, says that he now has 99 per cent of the side he has been searching.

“It took a little while with new players coming in,” he said. “But we now have a settled side and the results are coming.

“Grundisburgh and Crane Sports are heading the table, and I have told my players to forget about them and

concentrate on their own game - and then see what happens.”

Clubs that finish in the top three in the SIL have the right to be considered for advancement to the First Division of the Ridgeons League.

Nathan Vincent and Tim Warner are two players Allum has brought in who have done well this term while Framlingham stalwart Neil Whatling is still coming up with the goods.

Grundisburgh visit Stowupland Falcons with Cranes, who are at home to East Bergholt, hoping the leaders slip up.

Stonham Aspal need points to get off the foot of the table and they entertain Ipswich Athletic, while both Ransomes and Westerfield will attempt to play their Suffolk Senior Cup games in north Suffolk at the third attempt.