JAMES Scowcroft could play for Kingsley Healthcare SIL Senior Division side Stanton early in the new year.

Scowcroft, who was born in Stanton and still lives in the west Suffolk village, has not played for Ryman League Premier Division Bury Town this season because of injury.

The former Ipswich Town striker still has strong links to his local club, taking some training sessions this season, and club chairman Darryl Gooderham said: “He is hoping to turn out for Stanton to regain match fitness early in the new year.”

Scowcroft helped spearhead the fund-raising campaign in memory of the four workmen, which included club members Adam Taylor and Dan Hazleton, who lost their lives in an industrial accident in Great Yarmouth last January.

Gooderham, whose club raised �13,000 for the victims’ families, said: “It was a massive blow which brought the club and the village together.

“We have improved as a team since then, although we had a spell where we struggled and just managed to keep up at the end of last season. The support we received from the league and the clubs was phenomenal, with many donating towards the fund.”

Gooderham, who is in his first season as chairman after two years as vice-chairman, has been pleased with the club’s progress on and off the pitch.

In the summer Stanton appointed Adam Lomax as manager, with club stalwart Anthony Bray as his assistant, and they currently occupy eighth place in the Senior Division table, despite losing several players in pre-season.

Striker Matt Chaplin, whose brother Adam plays at centre half alongside Ian Chapnel - arguably their best player so far this season - signed from Debenham LC and Shane Anderson joined from Bacton 89.

Twins Doug and Andy Mustoe are nearly 40, with Andy in his testimonial season for 20 years’ service while Neil Gooderham previously played for Walsham-le-Willows and Debenham.

Chairman Gooderham said: “We have now got the best squad of players we have had for a long time, and we have improved the facilities. We already run an under-12s side and are hoping to start an under-nines side, so as a club we are moving forward.”

Stanton are rightly proud of the fact that Fordham & Son, who are based in the village, have sponsored the club for nearly 30 years, and Gooderham praised the generous support shown by Brian Cotton and Steve Fordham.

Tomorrow it will be Stanton’s turn to try and stop league leaders Woodbridge Athletic, after losing 4-1 at second-placed Grundisburgh last Saturday.