NEEDHAM Market manager Danny Laws has set his sights on improving last season's impressive fourth place finish in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League.

By Elvin King

NEEDHAM Market manager Danny Laws has set his sights on improving last season's impressive fourth place finish in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League.

The new campaign kicks off tomorrow with Needham, who have Ryman League ambitions, travelling to Harwich where they came back from three goals down to take the points last season.

Laws is upbeat about the 2007/08 campaign after taking over the Needham reins in the summer of 2006 saying: “History tells us that it's harder second time around.

“The club - and myself - are ambitious and we are looking to improve on last season's fourth place.

“I have improved my squad, and am delighted with the signings of Craig Parker, Ben Wake, Jay Denniss and last week's capture of Lewis Pemberton.”

Laws, who led Needham to the East Anglian Cup last spring, added: “Despite a 3-0 defeat at home to Brentwood last Saturday we have played well pre-season.”

After two excellent training sessions this week Laws has a full squad available apart from Andy Jones who starts with a suspension.

Ipswich Wanderers have a new manager in Louis Newman - and a new team - for their home game against King's Lynn reserves at Humber Doucy Lane.

John Clarkson, who had the financial clout to be able to attract players, left Wanderers in May to return to Cornwall.

Every senior player has followed Clarkson out of Humber Doucy Lane, with Newman assembling a new youthful side.

“We have plenty of spirit and ambition on and off the field,” Newman said.

Youngsters Anthony Johnson, Ricky Dunne, Sam Taylor and Owen Rachel remain after gaining first team experience under Clarkson, while Lewis Driver has impressed and is being hailed as potentially 'the next Rene Swann'.

Wanderers are hoping to complete the signing of Ronaldo Wright from Whitton.

This is a big season for Walsham-le-Willows who have gone from the Bury League to top East Anglian football in under two decades.

They make their Premier Division debut tomorrow with a visit to Stanway Rovers with manager Paul Smith having lost only Gary Newman from last season's squad.

Smith has brought in Andrew Wood from Diss Town on a permanent basis after his loan spell and Damien Curtis has moved into the area and signed Ridgeons forms.

Walsham enjoyed an impressive pre-season with a narrow defeat against Lowestoft Town and then wins over Grundisburgh, Debenham LC and Stowmarket Town.

The FA Cup will be at Walsham for the game against Stowmarket next Saturday, and spectators can be photographed with it.

In Division One, Hadleigh United, mid-table last term, entertain Thetford with joint managers Dean Skinner and Steve Jay having retained most of last season's squad.

A new face confirmed this week was Chris Dennett, who has returned to Millfield after spells at Halstead and Leiston. Midfielder Scott Welton is also back after university.