LOCAL SOCCER: Grundisburgh manager Steve Potts has begun his search to bring hungry players into the club.Publicly accepting that the best the club can hope for in the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL this season is a top six finish, Potts is already planning for 2003/04.

By Elvin King

LOCAL SOCCER

GRUNDISBURGH manager Steve Potts has begun his search to bring hungry players into the club.

Publicly accepting that the best the club can hope for in the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL this season is a top six finish, Potts is already planning for 2003/04.

Grundisburgh have won the title three times in the previous five years with Potts proving himself to be one of the most successful managers in the area.

"After winning trophies and cups it is difficult to raise yourself in the following seasons," he said. "This applies to the club as well as its players.

"I now need players who are hungry. Those who are bursting to win trophies and are desperate to play at Portman Road.

"We need a radical overhaul. It is not easy to persuade players to leave the Jewson League, and the better players are entrenched with their senior SIL clubs. So I will be searching around the First and Second Divisions of the SIL."

Grundisburgh's glorious reign under Potts saw them enjoy Portman Road success in the final of the Suffolk Senior Cup in 1996, 1998 and 2000.

Two weeks ago Grundisburgh were beaten 5-2 by East Bergholt, and last Saturday they lost 1-0 to reigning champions Walsham-le-Willows.

They lost three quality goal scorers over the close season in Martin Cotton, Julian Beaumont and Lee Bullock. Cotton, who formed a wonderful front-running partnership with Beaumont, is now playing again although currently injured.

Beaumont has sought a new challenge with Crane Sports, while Bullock is with Division One club Felixstowe United.

"I have built three different sides during my time at Grundisburgh – and now is the time to start to form a fourth," said Potts. "Having won nothing last year, it looks like being two seasons before we win

something again.

"I am committed to the club and am looking forward to a new challenge."

Potts now has senior players Micky Squirrell and Adrian McAllister as his assistants, after Mark Manning moved on to Whitton United during the summer.

Grundisburgh play Westerfield tomorrow with Cotton still missing. Walsham should collect three points when they travel to bottom club Leiston St Margaret's, while Ipswich Athletic have a home match against Melton St Audry's.

Beaumont will be seeking to break his duck since his move to Crane with a goal against in-form Bergholt.