SOCCER: Many Jewson League clubs have heaved a sigh of relief this week with news that the planned Football Association re-structuring is unlikely to affect them.

SOCCER

MANY Jewson League clubs have heaved a sigh of relief this week with news that the planned Football Association re-structuring is unlikely to affect them.

The FA say that clubs playing at level three downwards will not be involved in the changes planned to start in season 2004/05.

Greg Fee, national leagues manager at the FA said: "Over the last few months we have been made increasingly aware that many leagues are against a great deal of the details put forward.

"Many views have been put forward expressing concern that the changes proposed were not in the best interests of the game and that they would have a negative impact on football at level three or four.

"It was felt that the majority of clubs playing at level three are happy playing in a regional league. However, it is accepted that a route to higher levels of competition is vital within the national league system for those clubs wishing to move up."

The FA plan to further develop their support structures for leagues and clubs including more relevant training courses in areas such as administration and finance.

Hadleigh United are happy with this news. There were genuine fears that they might be asked to link up with the Essex Senior League because of their south Suffolk position.

They were certainly not looking forward to this and as a level four club they may well remain immune to any further FA changes.

Tomorrow, Hadleigh go to Somersham in the Jewson League First Division and such is the interest after the club's good start to the season that a coach full of supporters will also be travelling.

Manager Louis Newman has Peter Grant back in his side after a calf problem and the postman scored from the penalty spot in the fine League Cup Tuesday win over Swaffham.

Whitton United are going great guns and they will look for three points at home to Cornard, while Felixstowe and Walton United take on Long Melford at Dellwood Avenue.

Leiston, who this week lost their chairman – and also heavily in midweek at Somersham in the cup – travel to Swaffham. Needham Market are at home to Halstead.

In the Premier Division, Ipswich Wanderers are at Great Yarmouth while Stowmarket Town entertain Norwich United.