SOCCER: Both AFC Debenham and Framlingham Town have made official applications to join the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL.They finished third and fourth respectively in the First Division last season and will be watching with interest what happens to the teams who finished above them.

By Elvin King

BOTH AFC Debenham and Framlingham Town have made official applications to join the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL.

They finished third and fourth respectively in the First Division last season and will be watching with interest what happens to the teams who finished above them.

Champions Crane Sports and runners-up Westerfield United still have work to do to bring their grounds up to senior standard.

"It might be some while before we are in a position to make a decision," said league chief executive Alan Gorham. "We had a constructive meeting with Crane officials at their new ground at King George V, Whitton.

"Westerfield have some improvements to make to their changing facilities at Rushmere Sports Club. Debenham and Framlingham obviously know the situation and have made their applications."

Gorham confirmed that if Crane and/or Westerfield fail to complete their improvements in time, the league is set to sanction promotion for the next team(s) in line.

Ransomes Sports and Brantham Athletic, who finished in the Senior Division relegation positions, will

definitely be relegated.

BURY St Edmunds Football School reached two national cup finals – but were unable to match the might of the north east.

The girls' team did well to reach their final in the British Colleges Sport Centres for Football Excellence national cups, which were held at Lilleshall.

They lost 10-0 to Durham, a stronger team picked from more than 60 girls. "Durham beat the England U-19 girls 4-2, so the final was always going to be a big test," said West Suffolk manager Jonathan Warnock.

"It's been a fantastic first year for the girls and it was a great achievement to reach a national final out of a field of 47 teams."

The Bury Football School boys were up against Middlesbrough and lost 2-0. Several players were carrying injuries from their East Anglian Youth Cup final triumph over Ipswich Wanderers the previous weekend. "We were down to the bare bones," said head coach Danny Laws.

Sixty-four teams competed in seven regional leagues before the winners of each league and the best runners-up reached the play-offs.

"The final was even, but the game was settled by two first half goals," added Laws.

"It's been another brilliant year for the boys, winning the Centres for Football Excellence League and the Youth Cup.

"The introduction of the girls' section this year has been a major success and reaching the national finals is a phenomenal start for them."

The Bury Girls Football School is looking to fill the last few places for next year's intake. For more information contact Jonathan Warnock on 01284 716237.

NINE stalls will be available to browse at during the Stowmarket Programme and Memorabilia Fair this Sunday from 11am until 2pm at Greens Meadow, the home of Stowmarket Town.

They will vary from national to local suppliers and the organisers are looking for an increase on the 100-plus collectors who visited last year.

One of the most interesting stalls will be that of David Stacey from the Football Programme Directory. He will have a host of goodies on display plus tickets for the International Programme Fair in London next month.

Admission on Sunday is free and there will be bar facilities.

THE deadline is fast-approaching for applications from new clubs to join the Norfolk and Suffolk Veterans' Football League next season. Requests for an application form must be made before June 14 and can be obtained from chairman Dave Etheridge on 01502 478484.

If you can raise a side of over 35-year-olds who would like to continue their careers and play every three weeks, now is the time to make contact.

IPSWICH Wanderers are inviting applications for the post of manager for their Jewson League Premier Division first team.

Alan Dilloway stood down at the end of last season. Contact should be made with club chairman Alan Haste on 01473 711877 (work) or 01473 270801 (home).