Long Melford manager Jules Mumford is close to appointing a new face to the Villagers’ coaching set-up, as the club looks to get out of danger in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division.

After a stellar season last time out – Melford finished ninth in their first-ever season at Premier Division level – they find themselves in trouble near the bottom of the table, ahead of their clash at Hadleigh United, another team at the wrong end of the table, on Boxing Day.

“I am always looking to different ways to improve things and I am close to bringing in an Ipswich-based coach to help me – hopefully that will happen as soon as possible,” said Mumford.

“It will spice things up a bit and I will do whatever I can to keep the club in the Premier Division.”

Melford are without a win in five league games, having shipped 13 goals in the process – but after the game at Hadleigh, face another lower mid-table clash, at home to Wivenhoe on January 2, before travelling to fifth-top Felixstowe & Walton on January 7.

“I thought we would be fine this season and in the top half of the table, but that has not happened,” explained Mumford.

“At the end of the day we have not been good enough in either box. The players have done OK but I can’t keep saying we have been unlucky – four wins from 23 matches says that.

“I never took anything for granted and while last year was wonderful, there have been times this season where we haven’t had the rub of the green, although the boys are working as hard as they can.”

Mumford’s plans were hit at the start of the season when last term’s leading scorer Jamie Griffiths in the summer.

Former Ipswich Town and Plymouth Argyle man Griffiths scored 31 times in 44 games last season, but was sidelined in pre-season with a serious knee injury.

“That killed us really as I thought he would score a lot of goals for us this season and he gave the side a lot of belief,” admitted the Melford manager.

“I have had all season to rectify that but I have not come close to replacing him.”

Ahead of the festive period, Mumford added: “We have got some big league games coming up but we will take it one game at a time as we look to get some points on the board.”