MARK Barnard is to resign as Haughley United manager following the last game of their Metaltec SIL season against Ipswich Athletic tomorrow week.His side go into tomorrow's match at Stowupland Falcons still in with a chance of winning the Senior Division title.

By Elvin King

MARK Barnard is to resign as Haughley United manager following the last game of their Metaltec SIL season against Ipswich Athletic tomorrow week.

His side go into tomorrow's match at Stowupland Falcons still in with a chance of winning the Senior Division title.

Haughley's decision not to pursue their application to move up to the Ridgeons League is one of the factors behind Barnard's decision.

“I am not a great lover of the SIL,” said former Stowmarket Town manager Barnard. “I have already had a couple of offers for next season that I am mulling over.

“The committee made the decision to stay in the SIL and I can understand that as the club is not ready for advancement off the field. But I feel that you need a goal of some description. There are also one or two other issues.”

Barnard confirms he will be giving his full attention to trying to topple Grundisburgh off the top of the table.

“I will be giving 150% tomorrow and against Ipswich Athletic at home next Saturday,” confirmed Barnard.

“To be honest I had thrown in the towel after our 2-1 defeat by Crane Sports last weekend.

“I went to Leiston St Margarets on Tuesday with a depleted side looking to gain the one point to confirm second place.

“But we played some of our best football of the season - and with Grundisburgh dropping their fifth point in four days on the same night against Capel Plough we are back in it.”

Grundisburgh lost in the final of the Suffolk Senior Cup and the semi-final of the SIL Omnico Cup, so the league is the one remaining trophy on offer from their initial treble hopes.

Two points ahead of Haughley with a game in hand Grundisburgh visit Felixstowe United on Tuesday and finish off with a home game against Achilles. Tomorrow Grundisburgh have a derby at a Westerfield side fighting to hang on to their senior status.

Haughley also have a derby on their hands, and Barnard knows they will need to be at their best to collect three points.

“In the corresponding game against Stowupland they were fired up,” said Barnard. “We will have to match their commitment to get something from the match.”