Mike,Love the Love non-league so to speak, and I'm writing regarding your article last week about top players gracing non-league clubs.My story goes back to 1984 when I was an active committee member of Stowmarket Town FC.

Mike,

Love the Love non-league so to speak, and I'm writing regarding your article last week about top players gracing non-league clubs.

My story goes back to 1984 when I was an active committee member of Stowmarket Town FC.

It was December 3 that year and the club's new ground and floodlights were officially opened by the late, great Sir Alf Ramsey, with the ceremony followed by a match against Norwich City.

The Canaries manager Ken Brown did Stowmarket FC proud by fielding a strong team that included Chris Woods, Steve Bruce, Peter Mendham and Mick Channon.

The Stowmarket team played above themselves that night, losing 6-4. It was such a friendly atmosphere and the Norwich squad were by no means in a hurry to leave after the match.

They were all very down to earth and chatted and joked the night away with the Stowmarket officials, players and supporters.

Finally I have to mention that at the time many photographs showed Sir Alf Ramsey switching the floodlights on from outside the clubhouse entrance.

In fact Sir Alf was pressing a bell which rang through to the lights room, where I actually switched the lights on!

My small claim to fame.

JOHN SWINCICKYI, Stowmarket

Mike,

I would like to start by saying how much I enjoy your Love non-League page.

Regarding your request for stories about professional players helping non-league clubs, in last week's column, I would like to talk about Roger Osborne, who of course scored the winning goal for Ipswich Town in the 1978 FA Cup final.

I first met Roger when he played for Westerfield and I played for Wetheringsett. After Roger finished playing for Ipswich, I worked with him for about six years.

My son Robert had started playing football with Stowupland Falcons and he played with the club from nine to 16 years under the coaching of Keith Hammond and David Barnard.

The boys always trained on Thursdays, and one week Keith told the boys that there would be no training next week as neither he nor David could make it.

But I spoke to Roger and he said he would take the training for the boys, who were 14 years old then.

You should have seen their faces when Roger walked into the dressing room, complete with FA Cup winners medal to show them.

KENNY AGER, Mendlesham

DO you have any memories of professional players, managers or teams gracing your non-league club? How impressed with them were you? Let me know, mike.bacon@archant.co.uk or write to me: Mike Bacon, Love non-League, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN.