PROVEN striker Gavin Crane is expected to be in the Whitton United side for today's home Ridgeons League First Division game against Cornard - after a £1,000 transfer from Felixstowe and Walton United.

By Elvin King

PROVEN striker Gavin Crane is expected to be in the Whitton United side for today's home Ridgeons League First Division game against Cornard - after a £1,000 transfer from Felixstowe and Walton United.

Crane was under contract at Dellwood Avenue, and the Seasiders were entitled to ask for a fee when the front man moved on.

Transfer fees are already part and parcel of Ridgeons League football, and likely to become more so with an increasing trend to put players under contract.

It benefits the club in two ways. They gain financial recompense if the player moves on, and it also rules out the effects of Sunday football as players are restricted to playing for just one club.

It also benefits the player as he is guaranteed a 'wage' whether he is in the team or not. And he is likely to receive a 'signing on' payment as well.

Crane formed a dangerous strike partnership with Danny Phillips last season when the pair contributed a high percentage of goals that helped Felixstowe gain promotion to the Premier Division.

He had not been picked by manager Steve Potts for the last few matches.

Crane has returned to Whitton where he will boost manager Ronnie Mauge's squad for a serious assault on a place in the top flight next season.

Recent results have been encouraging for Mauge and a win tomorrow could see them go fourth in the table.

Felixstowe chairman Tony Barnes said: “I will not deny that we received a £1,000 transfer fee for Gavin.

“Like many Ridgeons League clubs we have a good number of players under contract.

“It costs us money to have players on contract and transfer fees cover some of this.”

Whitton, who play Cornard in the Suffolk Senior Cup next week, have Jermaine Harewood making his debut after the midfielder left Leiston.

Second-placed Debenham Leisure Centre have a tough match against in-form Tiptree, but third placed Walsham-le-Willows should win at bottom-placed Godmanchester.

In the Metaltec SIL, Westerfield United will be looking to end a run of three consecutive defeats when they entertain East Bergholt.

Ollie Langham departed the Swans' management post after last Saturday's 2-1 loss to Melton St Audry's and the club has advertised for a replacement.

Langham, who will not be playing for Westerfield any more, has work commitments in Sudbury.

Striker Jamie Sandilands said: “The new manager will have a good platform to build on.”

Jamie's brother Karl is playing in midfield for Grundisburgh with father David - a former Suffolk player - taking it in turns to watch both sons.