JASON Dozzell takes his Leiston side to top-of-the-table Wroxham in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League tomorrow.And the man who took over as manager from Glen Driver earlier this month is asking Leiston fans to be patient.

By Elvin King

JASON Dozzell takes his Leiston side to top-of-the-table Wroxham in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League tomorrow.

And the man who took over as manager from Glen Driver earlier this month is asking Leiston fans to be patient.

He is not holding out too many hopes for his middle-of-the-table side becoming the first to beat their Norfolk opponents this term.

“This will be a season of consolidation,” said former Ipswich Town, Tottenham and Colchester professional Dozzell, who has now hung up his boots after an illustrious career.

“Chairman Andy Crisp has confirmed that there is money in the kitty, but I don't want to dive in and bring in players on impulse.

“I want to have a look at them first.

“We might not pull up any trees this season, but with a great chairman and an ambitious club I am sure success will follow.

“It took me a year to get things into shape at Ipswich Wanderers and I can see things working out in a similar way here.”

Dozzell's professional background means that he does not know the local scene as well as he would like, and he is still looking for an assistant.

He admits that current Grundisburgh official Kevin Cunningham was a big help to him at Wanderers, and he would like someone with similar Ridgeons League and perhaps Metaltec SIL experience to work with him.

Dozzell, 38, has not played since February and the foot injury that ended his professional career looks like ending his non-league playing career as well.

“Some mornings it is so painful I struggle to get out of bed,” added Dozzell. “I don't want to put myself at risk of not walking any more.”

The transfer of skipper Donald George to AFC Sudbury has left a big hole in Dozzell's squad.

He went on: “We have lost other players as well and I had one youth team player in midfield last Saturday and four on the bench.”

Dozzell originally joined Leiston as Driver's assistant, and he says that he enjoyed working with the striker, who is now playing for Halstead.

“But Glen moved on and I was asked to take over. I can only see this club going one way, but it might take a while,” said Dozzell.