STOWMARKET Town are on their way back up with new chairman Neil Sharpe looking to follow in Histon's footsteps.In three months time the Ridgeons League First Division club expects to own its Greens Meadow ground.

Elvin King

Stowmarket on the up hoping to do a Histon

>And Greens Meadow set to be theirs too<

By Elvin King

STOWMARKET Town are on their way back up with new chairman Neil Sharpe looking to follow in Histon's footsteps.

In three months time the Ridgeons League First Division club expects to own its Greens Meadow ground.

This will open the way to apply for grants to build a new clubhouse and modernise facilities at a site that has become run down after over 25 years of little investment.

The pitch will be moved, and flats are expected to be built where the current car park and clubhouse are situated.

A new limited company based on community interest is set to be formed embracing both adult and youth football in the town.

“A resolution was passed at the annual general meeting of the youth section to dissolve, and the main Stowmarket Town FC annual general meeting will see a vote on the same resolution,” said Sharpe.

“We will then form a new limited company. From there we can go forward.”

Sharpe explained how he has come to head the process of putting Stowmarket Town back on their feet after slipping alarmingly down the pecking order.

“I played for the club mainly in the reserves, and have always had a strong affection for it,” he added.

“It looked to me - and a lot of others I would imagine - that it needed a shake-up.

“And if you are serious about something without blowing my own trumpet there is no better person to ensure it happens than yourself.

“My aim is to return Stowmarket Town to their former respected position in East Anglian football. And beyond.

“Histon have moved up from where we are now to the brink of the Football League - so why can't we?

“We want to be recognised as a progressive club, and to this end I was happy to appoint Alan Johnson as manager this week (JUNE 8)”

It was the resignation of former manager Louis Newman that set the ball rolling for Sharpe, who explained: “I decided to advertise the post after Louis' decision to depart, and Alan rang me from Kos where he was on holiday.

An accounts office manager for a firm based in Stowmarket, Sharpe took over from previous chairman Andrew Horrex last season, and he added: “Stowmarket has stagnated, and been overtaken by a number of other clubs. Now is the time to put that right.”

Stowmarket will be holding their AGM tomorrow in the main hall at Greens Meadows, with a 10am start.

This season's annual meeting will hopefully be one of the most important meetings the mid Suffolk club have had for a long time, with the future and structure, high on the agenda.

New manager Alan Johnson will be taking his first training session on Tuesday, June 23, with a 7pm start. New players will be most welcome.

elvin.king@archant.co.uk