Needham Market will be competing in the Ryman League Division 1 North for season 2010/2011 and Manager Danny Laws has been busy during the close season to strengthen his squad ready for this new challenge.

Most of last season’s squad that completed the Ridgeons League Premier Division League and Cup double have committed to the campaign ahead, but two major new signings have been completed Sam Newson (ex Stanway Rovers) and Nathan Stone (ex Kirkley & Pakefield).

Both young men have signed contracts with the club and see the opportunities with Needham Market as a way of progressing their careers at the higher level and see that working with an experienced Manager/Coach as Danny Laws will help them develop. The club is grateful to both former clubs for assistance in making the transition relatively straightforward.

Chairman David Bugg has been eager to ensure that the progress that has been achieved under Danny Laws stewardship over the past few years is maintained and with other changes taking place off the field he is looking forward to another successful campaign. With training due to start in a month’s time and a string of excellent friendlies in place the club hopes to emulate the good start enjoyed by Lowestoft last season.

Danny Laws said: “We are obviously delighted that Sam Newson has chosen to sign for Needham Market, and I was impressed that it didn’t take him any time to make his decision. He will bring lots of enthusiasm and desire as well as a willingness to learn and fit into our team pattern and work ethic. His goalscoring record (34 goals last season) was fantastic and the season before that was equally impressive.

We won the league last season and we have now signed the league’s top goalscorer which shows our intentions.”

“Nathan Stone has been on our agenda for a while and Kirkley were very good about him joining us. We are delighted to have him on board and hope that he can forge an understanding with Sam and the other lads quickly to terrorise defenses as he has at the Ridgeons level”.