FOOTBALL: Whitton United won the Suffolk Senior Cup in a pulsating final at Portman Road on Monday night to delight superstars Kieron Dyer and Ruel Fox.

Both are local boys made good with West Ham star Dyer, who is on loan at Ipswich Town until Friday – and not eligible to face Crystal Palace in the Championship on Saturday unless his current agreement is extended – and former Norwich City, Newcastle and Tottenham winger Fox impressed with 10-man Whitton’s 1-0 victory over a talented Lakenheath side.

Fox is now chairman and assistant to manager Ian Brown at Ridgeons League Whitton, while Dyer is a former youth player and sponsor of the club and turned up to offer his support in a superb game of football.

Kevin Inglis scored the goal with an 81st minute penalty, and Dyer said: “Kevin was in the Ipswich Town youth team at the same time as I was and he would have gone on to make a name for himself if he had not suffered a double break of the leg.

“He was flying at the time, but never really recovered from his nasty injury.

“I stopped my sponsorship of Whitton because they were lacking direction a couple of years ago. The club was in turmoil.

“They has not had many nights like last night and I’m delighted with their win.

“Ian Brown and Ruel Fox have done a great job, and right back Oliver Brown was outstanding and could play higher while central defenders Robbie Knott and Darcy De’Ath, who moved to the back after the sending off, were magnificent.”

And Fox added: “This is a new team this season, and from where Whitton has come from this is a great effort.

“To play with 10 men and beat a quality team like Lakenheath is all down to the players.

“They found something from somewhere, which only a special club like Whitton can produce, and when they start believing what they can do the team can really go places.

“I was looking to hold out and take the game to penalties, but full marks to the players as they felt they could still win.

“I’ve no complaints about Neil Shade being sent off; Lakenheath were sharp in attack and they caught us out although the referee may perhaps have been lenient.”

Both sides struck the bar with Inglis tucking away his spot kick after Luke Butcher handled following a corner.

“There was a bit going on, but it was just like any other penalty to take really,” said Inglis.

“We dug deep and our spirit showed through and we deserved to win in the end.

“The club could easily have folded two years ago, and this is proof that it was all worthwhile to keep running against at the time all the odds.

“Kieron has gone on to enjoy a great career, but what happened to me happens in football.”

Inglis had his big moment at Portman Road last night – and so did Whitton United in a great advert for Suffolk football.