Rooted to the bottom of the Touchline Suffolk & Ipswich League Senior Division and without a win all season, Claydon will look to break that unwanted record tomorrow afternoon against Wickham Market.

The SIL Senior new-boys have lost all 13 of their league fixtures so far this season, but recently-appointed manager Andy Pirie believes the club can stop the rot away tomorrow.

Without a single point to their name, the Ipswich-based side sit four points adrift of second-bottom Leiston St Margarets and six of third-bottom Wickham.

“Looking at the fixtures list and where we are in the table, we know we have to pick our battles, and this weekend’s is one we certainly feel we can compete in,” said Pirie.

In a season of upheaval for Claydon amidst player and managerial departures, it has been a tough ride so far for a side who are competing in the Senior Division for the first time in their history following back-to-back promotions from Divisions One and Two.

“It has been tough for us,” admitted Pirie, who alongside assistant Bam Cracknell, stepped up from the reserves to take charge of affairs a little over three weeks ago following the resignation of the previous management team of Trevor Wardlaw and Mark Keeley, although the latter remains a part of the team behind the scenes.

“The club has undergone a lot of changes, several of the players who have helped us get to this division have departed, and we’ve had to re-evaluate and move on.

“On the flipside, we have inherited some players from the reserves I feel are more than good enough to help us compete at Senior level.”

Pirie has overseen the last three games at the helm for Claydon – three defeats to Stanton (3-0), East Bergholt (3-1), and Grundisburgh (4-1) – but is confident that when his side eventually do get that first win on board, more will follow.

“We just need that first win,” continued Pirie. “If we can get that soon, it will give everyone a lift.

“With only one team going down this year following Melton’s exit, the challenge will be to finish second bottom.

“It’s a big challenge obviously, but it’s one I’m confident we can do.

“On paper, we’re perhaps not an attractive proposition for new players, but I certainly feel the changes the club has made will definitely benefit them in the long term.

“A lot more emphasis is going towards the youth, with Tim Carr (secretary) and Mark (Keeley) putting all their focus on that.

“The aim is to stay up this year, of course it is, but it is not the end of the world if we don’t.”

Claydon will hope to kick-start their season tomorrow, against opponents they lost 3-2 to recently.