Lakenheath are aiming to build upon last season’s success

Lakenheath’s challenge in 2023/24 will be to try to build upon what was the most successful campaign in the club’s history.

Last season was a memorable one for everybody connected with the club as Lakenheath finished fifth in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division – their highest ever position in the non-league pyramid.

And to cap that achievement, they went on to win the League Challenge Cup with a penalty shootout triumph over title winners Ipswich Wanderers.

The task now is to ensure that it is the start of something even bigger rather than summit – and with the introduction of play-offs at Step 5 from next term, joint manager Trevor Collins is hopeful that there is more to come.

“There is no doubt that the end we had to season was really positive,” said Collins, who joined Heath midway through 2022/23 to work alongside fellow boss Ben Cowling.

“Ian (Miller, first-team coach) and I came in with around 20 games to go. I think we only lost a couple of games, finished fifth and won the cup so there is plenty to work with.

“We sat the lads down after the cup final and we talked about kicking on from it. They’ve had a taste of success now and they want some more.

“We want to get stronger in all areas of the pitch. Some of that comes with recruitment, but we’ve also retained most of last season’s squad and we’re working hard to get even more from them.

“I don’t want to nail down any targets or finishing positions, but the play-offs are there for all to see and I think it’s going to make for a really exciting season.

“Instead of seasons fizzling out you’re going to have plenty of teams with something to play for going into the final weeks of the season now.

“We wouldn’t be silly enough to say we’re going to win the league or the play-offs, but we finished fifth last year and want to improve so you’d have to be hoping we’d be in and around those positions.”

In terms of recruitment, Collins has returned to his former club Walsham-le-Willows to bring in defender Karl Saffery, midfielder – and his son – Matt Collins and most notably Jamie Smith.

The striker, who has scored 38 goals in the previous two campaigns, will replace experienced frontman Shaun Avis following his departure to Thetford Town.

Collins added: “We needed a striker after Avo moved on. He’s been fantastic for the club, he’s got a great record and he goes with our best wishes.

“Someone had to come in to fill that void and Jamie was always our number one target. He did fantastic for me at Walsham and we’re really pleased he’s agreed to join us. He’ll have a big role to play.”

By chance, Smith and his new team-mates will get their season under way on Saturday with the visit of his former club Walsham (3pm).