JIMMY Marjoram is back managing Kingsley Healthcare SIL Senior Division Ipswich Athletic - and aiming to make a serious challenge for the title.They go into their home derby against Ransomes Sports having suffered just one defeat since Marjoram retuned to the hot seat after an absence of one year.

Elvin King

JIMMY Marjoram is back managing Kingsley Healthcare SIL Senior Division Ipswich Athletic - and aiming to make a serious challenge for the title.

They go into their home derby against Ransomes Sports having suffered just one defeat since Marjoram retuned to the hot seat after an absence of one year.

Six years ago Athletic went agonisingly close to being crowned champions - and they still await their first title.

“We needed to win one of our last two matches, but drew them both with Walsham-le-Willows pipping us for top position,” said Marjoram, who had the role of general manager last season when Glen Bradlaugh was running the first XI.

“I missed it and have come back,” said Marjoram. “But that is no reflection on Glen's efforts in the job. He led us to fourth place, which we were all pleased about but when asked to expand his work load this season he felt he was unable to agree.”

Bradlaugh is now coaching at fellow SIL side Grundisburgh, while his assistant at Athletic last term Shane Coldron has stayed on to help Marjoram, and also continue as main sponsors with his S and N Cladding company.

“We are doing well, but I am not getting carried away and if we are still in the picture at Christmas that is the time when it starts to really count,” added Marjoram, who welcomes back Peter Gorham to the Bourne Vale Social Club tomorrow.

Gorham worked briefly with Marjoram at Athletic and is now Ransomes manager with Marjoram adding: “We may had had our ups and downs but we are all friends and it will be nice to welcome the Ransomes contingent.”

Marjoram has signed free scoring Dean Tournay-Godfrey and he has been regularly finding the back of the net with Alan Mills having made a successful return.

“Basically we have the same squad as last season with a couple having left,” explained Marjoram, whose son Scott is a regular while other son Leon is captain of the reserves.

It is a family affair with son-in-law Mark Howard a regular up front and a sister having taken over from a daughter as club treasurer.

Leaders Achilles are at home to Capel Plough while point-less Stowupland Falcons will be looking to ease the pain with a good result against Melton St Audry's.