Needham Market boss Mark Morsley has paid tribute to his club’s fans as the Marketmen welcome Ryman Premier league leaders Bognor Regis to Bloomfields on Saturday afternoon.

Needham had a disappointing home record last season, but this campaign boast one of the division’s very best.

Before this Saturday’s clash with Bognor, Needham Market had lost just two at home in the league all season.

“Last season we were crap at home quite frankly,” Morsley said.

“But this season it’s a different story.

“Much of it, I think is two-fold. One, the way we are playing, with less playing along the back and more from midfield. And two, the new stand that has been built and the atmosphere our fans create in it – and around the ground – has been fantastic.

“Our fans can create a real buzz and the players notice it.”

Morsley will hope his fans can create a buzz on Saturday with leaders Bognor fighting ferociously to fend off the attentions of the top five, including third-placed Needham.

“They are a good club are Bognor – a nice club,” Morsley said.

“They have good people there, have a great playing surface. I always look forward to playing them, it’s invariably a good day.

“I think the title is between them and Havant & Waterlooville, which I have pretty well said from the start of the season.”

Needham, however have their own title hopes.

Sitting in third place and with an eight-point buffer over sixth-placed Wingate & Finchley, who are at Leiston on Saturday, Needham are already planning ahead for Step Two football should they be in the position where they have achieved it.

“We want Step Two football,” Morsley said.

“You will never hear us moaning about travelling or getting in the car to travel, or where you have to travel to. If you want to play at the highest level, that is what you have to do.”

Needham have also swooped to sign Cameron Norman from Conference South, Concord Rangers.

The former Norwich City midfielder played in both legs of the FA Youth Cup final for the Canaries against Chelsea in 2013 – which City won.

“He’s a beast of a midfielder,” Morsley said.

“Just what we could do with and it’s great to have him on board.”