IPSWICH Wanderers stalwart Roger Wosahlo today admitted that Whitton United could become the top non-league club in Ipswich.Wanderers are currently in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League - with Whitton in Division One.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Wanderers stalwart Roger Wosahlo today admitted that Whitton United could become the top non-league club in Ipswich.

Wanderers are currently in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League - with Whitton in Division One.

But following on from their disappointing attendance for their Club Colours Suffolk Premier Cup semi-final with Ipswich Town at Humber Doucy Lane last week, long-serving Wanderers development manager Wosahlo said:

“We will always be in the shadow of Ipswich Town.

“They have such a well-oiled professional organisation that they are naturally difficult to compete against.

“Until we upgrade our ground, which is likely to take three or four years, I cannot see us attracting more than 150 people at best each game.

“With their brand new ground being built soon I can see Whitton becoming a force to be reckoned with in the town.”

When Ipswich Town played Felixstowe and Walton United and Needham Market in earlier rounds of the Premier Cup the games were watched by more people than the estimated 550 who were at Wanderers.

“Clubs on the edge of Ipswich with their own community base are better situated to gain more support,” added Wosahlo.

“We were expecting more people than we got, and we over extended on things like stewarding and bringing in temporary toilets.

“Plus the four match officials did not live on our doorstep.”

Although they failed to make money from the night, Wanderers will benefit from a large crowd for the final when Leiston manager Jason Dozzell makes a return to Portman Road to play against the Blues' second team.

After expenses, money from the semi-finals and final go to Suffolk FA to be distributed between the four semi-finalists.

Reflecting on a mixed season for Wanderers - and the recent departures of star players Ricky Martin, Rene Swann and Matty Cunningham - Wosahlo said: “We have exceeded expectations in cup competitions with a Ridgeons League Cup final against Lowestoft Town to come and a good run in the FA Vase.

“But when we appointed John Clarkson to replace Jason Dozzell as manager last summer we knew it could be a bumpy ride.

“What has been disappointing is the way some players have not adapted to John's style.

“But all clubs go through stages, and we were in a potentially troublesome situation when Jason left and a number of our players were looking to move on.

“John came in and stabilised the situation and the players stayed. Overall we have not had a bad season at all.”

Tomorrow Wanderers travel to Wisbech Town looking to improve on the 0-0 draw at lowly Norwich United on Tuesday.