WOODBRIDGE Town could become a big club in amateur football in the Eastern Counties, according to manager Mick Stockwell.The former Ipswich Town and Colchester United midfielder, who took over as manager three years ago, hailed it as a “great achievement” for the Notcutts Park club to finish ninth in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League this season.

WOODBRIDGE Town could become a big club in amateur football in the Eastern Counties, according to manager Mick Stockwell.

The former Ipswich Town and Colchester United midfielder, who took over as manager three years ago, hailed it as a “great achievement” for the Notcutts Park club to finish ninth in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League this season.

And with the talent coming through the younger age groups Stockwell told those gathered at the club's end-of-season presentation evening: “This football club could be a big club in amateur football in this area.”

The versatile Aaron Churchyard, 19, received his award from Stockwell after being voted the first team's players' player of the year, while goalkeeper Marcus Garnham, also 19, took the supporters' award.

There was a special presentation of an engraved hip flask to Eric Smy, the retiring club secretary, who presented under-18 Suffolk FA player Grant Monaghan with the inaugural Tony Smith Memorial Award, in memory of the honorary vice-president who died of cancer earlier in the season.

Awards winners

First team players' player of the year: Aaron Churchyard.

First team fans' player of the year: Marcus Garnham.

Reserve team manager's player of the year: Tom Fryatt.

Reserve team players' player of the year: Tom Fryatt.

Under-16 players' player of the year: David Kempson.

Under-16 manager's player of the year: Jack Lawrence.

Under-16 fans' player of the year: Adam Webster.

Tony Smith Memorial Award: Grant Monaghan.

Awards for completing two years on the SETEC scheme: Jon Davies and Grant Monaghan.

Ridgeons League Premier Division Ipswich Wanderers are hoping to name a successor to John Clarkson as manager at Humber Doucy Lane next week.

Chairman Ed Nicholls said: “We have received some high-calibre applications and talks are under way.”