JEWSON SOCCER: Mel Aldis admits that football never gets him down. But the Stowmarket Town manager today confirmed that he wants the club to do far more than just survive at their current level.

By Elvin King

MEL Aldis admits that football never gets him down. But the Stowmarket Town manager today confirmed that he wants the club to do far more than just survive at their current level.

He is desperate to win a trophy for the Jewson League club.

Re-appointed by a contented Stowmarket committee during the week, Aldis has no qualms about being a laid-back manager.

"I feel gutted after losing a match but then go home and watch some tragedy or other on television," said Aldis. "This soon puts a game of football into perspective.

"We can go out and play another day. We should be thankful for that. I love management and love being involved in football.

"I will certainly never be a Saturday shopper and could not stand being a spectator."

Aldis does not find the summer trawl for players a pleasant task and says that either a player wants to play for Stowmarket or he doesn't.

"I have seen so many who have been pressurised into signing for a club who do not want to be there," he added. "I don't like chasing, although I know the players I want.

"I have three or four in the pipeline for next season and hopefully they will sign. And it is vital that I do not lose any of my current squad.

"It will always be difficult to make an impact on the Jewson League title with teams with the financial clout of AFC Sudbury around, but there is still plenty to aim for.

"The Suffolk Premier Cup and good runs in the FA Cup and FA Vase. Tiptree are a good example of what a mid-table side can achieve – just one game away from a Vase final.

"It will be my fourth season next term and I want to keep on improving. I want Stowmarket officials to be ambitious and look for trophies. To have your sights set on just avoiding relegation is not ambitious enough."

Stowmarket just avoided relegation in Aldis' first season – when he led Earl Soham Victoria to the Carlsberg Pub Cup at Wembley Stadium – and 10 months ago they finished tenth. This time they are battling for a top six finish and have a chance to gain revenge over Maldon at Greens Meadow tomorrow.

"We went to Maldon unbeaten in nine games, but they walloped us 6-0," added Aldis, who will continue to be assisted by Ali Forster and Mark Barnard next season.

Also in the Premier Division, second-from-bottom Felixstowe and Walton United badly need points at Dereham Town while Ipswich Wanderers – one place higher - will be relieved if they win at Mildenhall.

Needham Market face a crunch game against high-flying Norwich United in the First Division with Hadleigh at Cambridge City reserves and Leiston out to gain revenge for their Suffolk Senior Cup semi-final defeat when they visit Haverhill.

In the Metaltec SIL, Walsham-le-Willows can keep on course for the title with a victory at Bramford United, while Grundisburgh will keep the pressure on if they succeed at Melton St Audry's.

Brantham, like Ransomes, look doomed but a win over Leiston St Margaret's will lift their spirits for games to come.