The Suffolk New College Football Development Scheme is celebrating the success of its link with Needham Market Football Club after just one year of the partnership.

The Suffolk New College Football Development Scheme is celebrating the success of its link with Needham Market Football Club after just one year of the partnership.

Two graduates from last season Jack Wilkinson (18) from Hadleigh and Jack Severy (19) from Ipswich have just signed two-year contracts with the Ridgeons Premier League Champions and will be part of the squad playing next season in the Ryman Division 1 North League.

First Team manager Danny Laws has been suitably impressed not only with the skill levels of these two up and coming youngsters but also their work ethic.

He states ‘Credit for this attitude to the boys and the joint Scheme Managers John Coupe and Lenny Pack who are ably aided by Assistant Manager Kevin Horlock’.

‘Sev struggled with a few injuries last season but has gone away over the summer and worked hard on his fitness, he really has looked the part in our pre-season sessions’

‘Jack impressed last season and won the reserve team player of the year, he has the attributes to make the step up with a good left foot and a solid defensive mentality’

‘I have told them both their aim now is to get established in the team, they do have time which is why they have been given two years, having said that I will be surprised if at least one of them didn’t make a big impact this year in the First Team’.

‘These lads have set the standard for the latest crop of lads needs to achieve. They have seen that hard work will be rewarded and for lads such as Remuel Codrington, Robbie Seabourne and Guy Dugdale, who all tasted First Team action last term, they must now aspire to follow these lads into the squad.

The link between Suffolk New College and Needham Market FC has gone from strength to strength in its first year; the reserve team under the stewardship of Coupe & Pack finished a NMFC record 6th in the Ridgeons Reserve League fielding a team comprised entirely of students from the college.

John Coupe of Suffolk New College said, “The link with Needham Market FC allows us to give continuity to the scheme by keeping the students together to play senior football on a Saturday, and also national cup competitions such as the FA Youth Cup. We benefit from the knowledge of the running of the scheme from 1st team manager Danny Laws and also the use of NMFC excellent facilities”.