Long Melford FC will be running an Under 18s team in 2012/13. The team will be managed by Craig Power and will compete in the Thurlow Nunn (previously Ridgeons) Youth League South Division. Last season Craig was the manager of AFC Sudbury U15 Tigers, who were unbeaten in the league during 2011/12. On his decision to join Melford Craig said:

“We are moving across to test ourselves at a higher level and I will be bringing with me the core of my side from the past two seasons. I will be looking to add a few older players from various clubs and I will also look at holding a trial day.”

The U18s will compete against 10 clubs in the South Division (Brantham Athletic, Cornard United, FC Clacton, Felixstowe & Walton United, Hadleigh United, Halstead Town, Haverhill Rovers, Stanway Rovers, Witham Town and Wivenhoe Town).

2012/13 season fixtures are yet to be released but in the Preliminary Round of the Thurlow Nunn Youth League Cup Melford were handed a home time against Framlingham Town. The winners of that tie face a trip to either Newmarket Town or Thetford Town in the next round.

On his team’s hopes for the new season, manager Craig Power said:

“My hopes for the side are that we compete week in, week out and play the correct style of play based upon ball retention. I also hope that every player within the squad enjoys and learns from playing in the Thurlow Nunn Youth League and this helps with their development and progression in football. One of the major factors I’m personally looking forward to is the professionalism attached to playing in the Under 18′s league and I believe our style of play will get people talking, having worked with a number of the boys over the past two years they are all technically very good.”