ALAN Middle has been left disappointed at a lack of player loyalty after his Achilles side was relegated last weekend from the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL.

By Elvin King

ALAN Middle has been left disappointed at a lack of player loyalty after his Achilles side was relegated last weekend from the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL.

The manager led the Ipswich-based side to second place last season, but the loss of ten players in September was too much to overcome.

Middle intends to stay on and is planning to lead Achilles back to senior football at the first opportunity.

“When this season started I had hopes of winning the league,” said Middle. “We were unlucky not to win the title in 2005/6 when champions East Bergholt 'replayed' and won a game against Felixstowe United that they were losing when the original match was halted due to injury.

“I am disappointed by a lack of loyalty shown by players, and found it impossible to replace those who left with enough quality.

“In the final few weeks of the season we played quite well, but to be fair to Westerfield they pulled out all the stops in the final couple of matches.

“Division One will be difficult to get out of, but if we can keep the same players and all stay together we will have every chance.”

Achilles dropped down in the late nineties to Division One, and it took them two seasons to regain their senior status.

“It is currently very disappointing for everybody at the club including stalwarts like Dave Morgan,” added Middle. “But I intend to stay on and hopefully we can bounce back.”

Achilles lost to Grundisburgh 2-1 on Saturday with the village club clinching their seventh Senior Division title - their first since 2000/1.