FORMER Stowmarket Town manager Doug Wade said the Suffolk Senior Cup could not have been won by a more deserving club.Stowmarket, from the First Division of the Ridgeons League, beat Grundisburgh from the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL 2-1 in Tuesday's final at Portman Road.

By Elvin King

FORMER Stowmarket Town manager Doug Wade said the Suffolk Senior Cup could not have been won by a more deserving club.

Stowmarket, from the First Division of the Ridgeons League, beat Grundisburgh from the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL 2-1 in Tuesday's final at Portman Road.

“I had five marvellous years at Greens Meadow and the club is run by good people,” said Wade.

“It is a family club, one that other clubs enjoy meeting up with twice a season.

“The trophy could not have gone to a more deserving team and I am thrilled.”

Wade was among the enthusiastic 1,480 crowd that saw Chris Leys and Warren Taylor-Holt score the goals that enabled Stowmarket to hit back from 1-0 down to take the trophy.

“It was a lovely night and a very good performance against talented opponents,” added Wade.

“It was my best time as a manager at Stowmarket and winning the Suffolk Premier Cup against Haverhill at Sudbury was one of my most memorable achievements.

“Stowmarket have had a succession of problems over their ground since their move from the Cricket Meadow and it is down to people like current chairman Andy Horrex and president John Bultitude that they have come through.

“It is fitting that they can now enjoy some success and look back on a wonderful night.”

Wade also managed Hadleigh and Felixstowe and he said he was proud to have been in charge of three of the best-run clubs in the area.

“There is no quick-fix with Stowmarket. No glory-seeker putting tons of money in and then walking away within months leaving the club in a bigger mess.

“Everything has been done right and sometimes rewards do come to those who deserve it most.”

Wade, who is now free of a cancer scare that affected him a few years ago, goes to most Ipswich Town home games these days.

He still takes an interest in local football as well and advertises his family insurance business as well as helping with sponsorship for a number of clubs.

“My other big wish this season is to see Achilles escape relegation from the Senior Division of the SIL,” he said. “They were my first club as a goalkeeper.”

Wade took over Stowmarket in 1985 and one of the club's previous managers was on the Portman Road pitch when the trophy was presented to Stowmarket captain Matty Platt on Tuesday.

Martin Head ran Stowmarket with Don James in the early 1980s before they went on to lead Sudbury Town to much success.

Head is now secretary of the Suffolk County Football Association and has done much to ensure that the Premier, Senior and Junior Cup finals are now all played at Portman Road.

It was a nice touch when Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks clapped both teams on to the pitch before Tuesday's kick-off.