WOODBRIDGE Town manager Glenn Read is enjoying life at Notcutt's Park even though he fears he will never be in a position to compete for league honours.

Elvin King

WOODBRIDGE Town manager Glenn Read is enjoying life at Notcutt's Park even though he fears he will never be in a position to compete for league honours.

While there is talk of some Premier Division clubs in the Ridgeons League having a £1,000 weekly wage bill, and a few players in the division on around £200-a-game, Woodbridge's budget is far lower.

“Our top earner is on around £30-a-game,” said Read. “This means we have to concentrate on bringing our own players through the youth system. And we will continue to do so. I cannot see this ever changing.

“And I enjoy it this way, even though it virtually rules us out of competing with sides at the top of the table.

“But we are doing well, winning a few games I did not expect and dropping a few points I hoped to gain.”

Woodbridge are at home to Walsham-le-Willows tomorrow, which means the return of former Woodbridge Town stalwart Marty Thorpe, who is now assisting manager Paul Smith at Walsham.

“It will be great to welcome Marty back and I am sure we will have a drink afterwards,” said Read. “Walsham are similar to us in that they do not have a large player budget.”

Woodbridge have links through coach Sean Thacker to the SETEC football centre at Copleston School, Ipswich and this is a source of a number of their youngsters. They also have their own thriving and well-organised youth section.

Read has brought in experienced central defender Craig Stuart, who works as a teacher at Farlingaye School, and Liam Scopes has returned from Felixstowe and Walton United.

“Craig, in particular, has been a big plus and his experience helps the younger lads,” added Read. “I brought in Glen Snell to add some strike power, but after a couple of games he suffered a ruptured groin and will be out until the New Year.”

Every club involved in the Ridgeons League will be wishing Leiston well in their big FA Cup home match against Blue Square Premier Lewes tomorrow, while Suffolk's hopes of having a team in the first round of the competition also lie with British Gas League Bury Town.

The west Suffolk side are training at Ipswich Town's training ground at Playford Road tonight before their home match against Basingstoke.

In the Ridgeons League, Felixstowe and Walton United are at home to Norwich United looking to recover from the recent departure of manager Steve Potts, while Whitton United play host to Stanway.

Hadleigh United will be looking to get their season back on track when lowly Downham Town visit Millfield in Division One. Steve Jay's side have only won once in their last six matches, three of which were cup games that were all lost.

Steve Buckle's Ipswich Wanderers entertain Halstead, with Stowmarket Town looking to build on their midweek cup win over Needham Market when they entertain Tony Hall's Brantham Athletic.

In the Metaltec SIL, Crane Sports are away to Westerfield United with Enver Osman of Pack and Stack and Splash Lifestyle Kitchen and Bathrooms recently supplying drill tops for the club's first and second teams.

Grundisburgh can maintain their five-point lead at the top of the Senior Division table against bottom-of-the-table East Bergholt.