Jemel Fox believes ambitious Stowmarket Town have the ability to become the top non-league team in Suffolk and can emulate county rivals Leiston.
The 25-year-old left-back became the latest high-profile name to join Rick Andrews’ revolution last week, the former AFC Sudbury and Needham Market defender signing for the Thurlow Nunn Division One champions, following three-and-a-half years with Stanway Rovers in the Premier Division.
Fox joins Leiston full-back Ollie Brown, ex-Sudbury centre-back Scott Mitchell, his former Stanway boss Angelo Harrop and prolific Walsham-le-Willows striker Andrew Wood at the club – Town aiming to hit the ground running at their new level.
“It will be a very talented side in my opinion and the signings made have dramatically improved last season’s squad,” said Ipswich-based Fox.
“They stabilise Rick’s (Andrews’) ambitions as a manager and what Stowmarket want to do as a football club.
“It was a real eye-opener for me when I saw some of the names they were bringing in, but if Leiston can do it, Stowmarket can do it.
“On current experience, we have a Ryman back-three, a Thurlow Nunn Premier-standard midfield and a Thurlow Nunn centre-forward and that’s only a start.
“That ambition for me is crucial and any manager or coach has got to have it.”
Promotion to the Thurlow Nunn Premier was the first in the club’s history, but Stowmarket already have contingency plans in place to provide facilities fit for the Isthmian League, should they find themselves in contention near the top next season.
Fox certainly believes a second promotion could be on the cards.
“Why can’t we get back-to-back promotions?
“There will be pressure on the new signings but that will invigorate the club to push forwards and, in my opinion, if you are consistent in this league, you will be looking at a place in the top two or three. With three teams going up next season, why can’t we finish there?
Fox, who finished third and second with Stanway in the last two Premier Division campaigns, added: “I think we will play a fast-paced game and the full-backs will be used to provide the majority of the energy (going forwards).”
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