Morsley feeling positive as Paine picks Stow

Billericay Town’s treble-winning captain Matt Paine, who played in three pre-season games for AFC Sudbury, has signed for Stowmarket Town, writes Ken Watkins.

Paine played for Stowmarket against Leiston on Saturday, and signed for the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division side on Tuesday.

“It’s disappointing for us,” said AFC manager Mark Morsley. “I thought he would be a good asset.

“Stowmarket are a team with grand ambitions, and have major financial backing.

“We made an offer, and I was not going to get into a bidding war.”

Stowmarket beat AFC 2-1 in a pre-season game on Tuesday. “They are clearly a team that will walk their division, but we put in an excellent second-half performance,” said Morsley.

As well as the return of Jordan Blackwell and Callum Harrison – ‘both good players’ – former Academy player Charlie Gilbert is back at the club after completing his Newcastle University studies.

“There is no shortage of good players at the club,” said Morsley. “While it’s disappointing to miss out on targets, I am not going to pay for journeymen non-league players when we have better ones in the Academy.”

AFC are holding another Meet the Manager evening on Thursday, August 2 (7pm). “This will give the supporters a chance to hear and discuss what our plans are,” said Morsley.

“It will be a chance to talk about the positives and our potential, and the vision we have at the club.”

AFC are at home to Brightlingsea Regent on Tuesday (7.45pm) and visit Needham Market on Friday, August 3, their final pre-season games before the Bostik North campaign starts at Tilbury on August 11.

“It’s a strong division, which bodes well for entertaining football,” said Morsley.

l AFC Sudbury Reserves will be competing in a 19-team Thurlow Nunn League First Division North this season after Team Bury folded earlier this week.

l AFC Sudbury’s youth section will hold its annual meeting in the main building on Friday, August 17 (7.30pm).