Needham link with PASE scheme

Elvin King

AMBITIOUS Needham Market have secured a ready-made supply of talented young footballers after teaming up with Suffolk New College to run the PASE scheme from next season.

They will be taking over from Whitton United after the scheme originated at Ipswich Wanderers.

The PASE scheme enables youngsters to enjoy football coaching as part of their further education and Needham chairman David Bugg said: “It's very exciting time for both parties.

“Our manager Danny Laws is very passionate about giving youngsters an opportunity to play at the highest level, and you only have to look at our current side and what they have achieved over the past two-and-half seasons.”

Laws has an excellent track record having helped make West Suffolk College into a renowned footballing base during his time at Bury St Edmunds - with many boys moving into the Bury Town first team.

And many of the current Needham first team also progressed from the college.

Laws was manager of the Suffolk side that won the FA County Youth Cup in 2005 - the first time Suffolk had won the competition.

From there Laws was headhunted by Norwich City and spent two years at their academy before returning to Suffolk to take over the reins at Needham.

He said: “This partnership with Suffolk New College will give Needham Market a much stronger set up right the way through from the seven-year old's with Needham Phoenix to the Under-19s in the PASE scheme”.

Coaches John Coupe and Lenny Pack are the PASE scheme leaders and will be carrying on and Coupe said: “Lenny and I are delighted to be working with Needham Market. We want to be able to offer the best opportunities available in football to our students, and feel that these are available at Needham.

“Danny Laws has good knowledge of the PASE scheme from his time at West Suffolk College and is very supportive of progressing players.

“We are very impressed with the facilities offered at Needham Market and their ambition to move up the non- league pyramid.”