DENNIS Tattoo is standing down as Framlingham Town manager at the end of the season.His side is unbeaten in 10 games and still has an outside chance of promotion back to senior football in the Metaltec SIL.

By Elvin King

DENNIS Tattoo is standing down as Framlingham Town manager at the end of the season.

His side is unbeaten in 10 games and still has an outside chance of promotion back to senior football in the Metaltec SIL.

They are sixth in the First Division and play at St Edmunds tomorrow and need to win and also collect maximum points in their final three matches against BT Trimley, Willis and Woodbridge Athletic to send Tattoo off on a high.

After taking over in January 2001, Tattoo could not stop Framlingham from an inevitable drop out of the Senior Division four months later.

After finishing fourth, third and then second in Division One he regained Framlingham's senior status, which they held for two seasons. They twice reached the Suffolk Junior Cup final.

“I made my decision a month ago,” said Tattoo, assistant head teacher at Thomas Mills School.

“And I am leaving on good terms and have not found the time to devote fully to the job.

“Framlingham are a great club and they are not far away from making an impact on Suffolk football.

“Everything is in place to move up the football ladder and my successor will have every chance of success.”

Framlingham are expected to advertise the post for next season shortly.

And talking about his future, Tattoo said: “I will not be actively seeking a new post in football but if the right one comes along I will show an interest.”

With Haughley and Brantham having applied for a move up to the Ridgeons League, up to four clubs could still be promoted from the First Division.

Haughley look certain to finish in one of the eligible paces, and they have a final throw of the SIL championship dice tomorrow when they visit leaders Grundisburgh, who are seven points above them with a game in hand.

At the other end of the table, Cockfield look doomed for a return to junior football. But the remaining relegation place is still very much up in the air.

Achilles, Westerfield, East Bergholt and Stowupland Falcons are the most vulnerable, but Ipswich Athletic, Ransomes, Coplestonians and Leiston St Margarets will breathe more easily with a few more points under the belt.

Achilles have a stiff task at Omnico Cup finalists Crane Sports, while the results of Bergholt versus Stowupland and Ipswich Athletic versus Ransomes will also be significant.