SIL SOCCER: Relegation did Framlingham Town the world of good. So says manager Dennis Tattoo, who leads his Metaltec SIL First Division team into the Suffolk Junior Cup final at Grundisburgh tomorrow.

By Elvin King

RELEGATION did Framlingham Town the world of good.

So says manager Dennis Tattoo, who leads his Metaltec SIL First Division team into the Suffolk Junior Cup final at Grundisburgh tomorrow.

"The drop down from the Senior Division 12 months ago made the club take stock and look at how we were operating," said Tattoo, who took over in charge midway through last season.

He was unable to save them from relegation, but has rebuilt the basis of a good side and a win over Westerfield tomorrow will be a suitable reward for a good season's work.

"I am delighted how everybody at the club reacted to relegation," he added. "We have stopped the rot.

"We have set our stall out to gain promotion next season. We are still very ambitious and have new floodlights on order.

"The position has bottomed out and Framlingham are on the way back."

Framlingham were only denied a move up to the Jewson League in the 1990s because their changing rooms were too far away from the pitch.

This problem was soon rectified, but results on the pitch took a dip ending in relegation last May.

Framlingham still have some hope of playing in the Senior Division again next season. Tattoo explained: "If we win our final three league games against Willis, Cockfield and Debenham we can finish in third place.

"All it needs then is for a Senior Division side to move up to the Jewson League or a club to fall by the wayside and we may have a chance of going up."

Framingham have lost to promotion-chasing Westerfield twice, but both times by narrow margins.

"A win tomorrow would put the icing on the cake," said Tattoo. "With three or four new players next season we will be even more of a force."

Tattoo praised the efforts of new signings Gary Rose, Steve Cook, Steve Forsdike and Robbie Kemp, while he remains pleased with the sterling work of club regulars Neil Whatling, Leon Chmiel and star striker Chris Mears.

Rose is a teenage goalkeeper who moved from Wickham Market along with sweeper Cook. Midfield player Forsdike came from John Bull, while outstanding left-sided player Kemp was transferred from AFC Hoxne.

Westerfield were beaten in last season's final by Bramford United who won 4-2 after extra time. They have done well this season and are set to bring senior football back to their Rushmere Sports Centre base.