New Whitton United boss Duncan Wheeler will be an interested observer as his side host Ipswich Wanderers in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, today.

Wheeler, 24, an Ipswich Town academy coach, has been appointed as manager of the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division strugglers until the end of the season, but director of football Ruel Fox will look after the first team today.

Whitton chairman Mark Richards, said Wheeler’s appointment would hopefully revitalise the whole club.

“Duncan has been working with the academy at Ipswich Town and he will come in and try and work with our youth setup a bit more,” explained Richards.

“We need to try and get our under-18s set-up running again and our aim will be to bring more players through from the youth system.

“He has coached in Brazil and Holland, he is a young guy, and it is a chance for us and him to see how it goes until the end of the season.

“We know it will be difficult to stay up but hopefully we can build something for the future.”

Meanwhile Richards paid tribute to the out-going Snell, who was praised for his part in a number of successful seasons with the club.

“Glenn has given the club very good service,” said Richards.

“This season has not been quite what we hoped for and we have sat down at Christmas to reassess the situation as we said we would in the summer.

“He agrees the transition from coach to manager has been difficult but he has not been helped by players jumping ship.

“We wish him well and the nature of football means we may see him again in the future.”

Elsewhere tomorrow, Long Melford host second-top Felixstowe & Walton United, looking to gain revenge for their opening day defeat at The Goldstar Ground when they lost by a single goal on their Premier Division debut.

Melford saw out 2015 with an excellent 3-0 win over Haverhill Rovers at The New Croft on Boxing Day.

As for the Seasiders, they travel across the county looking to extend their unbeaten league run to 13 games stretching back to mid-September and their winning run to six matches.

It’s the start of a big month for Kevin O’Donnell’s team with this the first of five tough games.

He will be pleased to see his squad getting back to full fitness, although Callum Bennett, who limped out of the win against Whitton United, is a doubt.

Also in the Premier Division, Hadleigh host Norwich United, Haverhill Rovers go to Brantham and Walsham-le-Willows entertain Gorleston.