PETER Grant has set his stall out to establish Hadleigh United in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League.The 41-year-old former Ipswich Town trainee is in his first managerial job having taken over at Millfield when Steve Jay made a sudden departure on the eve of the season.

Elvin King

PETER Grant has set his stall out to establish Hadleigh United in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League.

The 41-year-old former Ipswich Town trainee is in his first managerial job having taken over at Millfield when Steve Jay made a sudden departure on the eve of the season. And he intends to make a success of it.

He explained: “I broke my ankle a couple of years ago when I was attempting to make a playing comeback and knew then that my playing days were over.

“I love the game and management has always been on the agenda for me. So when I applied for and got offered the Hadleigh job I jumped at it.

“I live in the town and played for them when Louis Newman was in charge. I gave officials a five-year plan at my interview - to spend two years establishing ourselves after Steve won promotion last term, and then to push on. Hadleigh United has moved forward in recent seasons and the club merits a team in the top East Anglian division.”

For the two previous years Grant had been working as coach at Debenham Leisure Centre and he says that he learnt a lot from Debenham manager Mel Aldis.

“Mel has his own relaxed ways, and it was a good time working with him, and it was nice that he said if it didn't work out he would welcome me back.

“I am enjoying it immensely and with the excellent backing at the club I am confident I can reach my targets.”

Grant has former Whitton United manager Gary Thompson as his assistant having played alongside him at Felixstowe and Walton United and also played against him.

“We think the same way,” added Grant. “Gary has good connections and we get on well.

“By the time I took the job players had been fixed up for the season, but I have inherited a good squad and I have told them that they will all get their chance.

“There are one or two areas I would like to strengthen but the lads have done a good job with three wins, two draws and two defeats prior to last night's game at Woodbridge Town.”

Grant runs his own plastering business and is a retained fireman in the Hadleigh area.

But if Hadleigh takes off as he hopes that is one flame that he will not want to put out.