Ridgeons first divisionHADLEIGH joint manager Steve Jay has said that the Millfield-based club are not ready for a return to the Premier Division.“We are not ready as a club, or as a team,” said Jay, who joined forces to run Hadleigh with Dean Skinner last summer.

Ridgeons first division

HADLEIGH joint manager Steve Jay has said that the Millfield-based club are not ready for a return to the Premier Division.

“We are not ready as a club, or as a team,” said Jay, who joined forces to run Hadleigh with Dean Skinner last summer.

“We will take what comes this season and enjoy the good times that come our way.”

Despite their players still playing for pints rather than pounds, Hadleigh have turned things round after a number of seasons at the wrong end of the First Division table.

After overspending when playing in the Premier Division and reaching the last 16 of the FA Vase in 1995, Hadleigh still have to be careful with their pennies.

Their players receive a brown envelope the same as most others in the Ridgeons League, but instead of containing a bunch of fivers it contains a voucher for one free pint behind the bar.

Just three defeats in 18 league games have seen Hadleigh rise from the ashes. Jay puts the credit down to his players.

“We have a terrific team spirit, and this is giving us an advantage,” he said. “Our original target was to finish around half-way, but once we moved up into the top six we changed our thinking.

“We now want to stay where we are, but in truth we are not ready to move up yet.”

Pat Fleming has proved a good signing from Needham Market and bolstered midfield, while Ross Challis has arrived from Kirkley.

“We have one or two other irons in the fire,” said Jay, who expects Walsham and Debenham Leisure Centre to feature in the top three promotion positions with Tiptree dark horses.