Hadleigh United manager Steve Holder keen for side to ‘kick on’ after impressive 2022/23 campaign

Steve Holder may have overseen one of Hadleigh United’s best seasons in recent memory last term, yet the manager is keen to build upon that work in 2023/24.

The Brettsiders finished ninth in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division, which was the club’s best Step 5 performance since the 2015/16 campaign.

Meanwhile, their return of 60 points was a joint high since the title-winning success of 2013/14.

But rather than pat himself and the players on the back, Holder is eager for his team to ‘kick on’ – and he is not ruling out a push for the newly-installed play-offs.

He said: “Last season was a positive one. The previous few years had been a bit of a struggle for the club – they’d been finishing towards the bottom of the table. My first full season was an improvement but last year it felt like I’d been able to get my team together.

“We were actually second and third for quite a while but faded away with injuries and suspensions, which is when we decided to give some of the youngsters some experience.

“I remember speaking to Jordan Southgate (Wroxham manager). He said it took a good three or four years to build the success they’ve had and now we’re about three years into it.

“We’ve not got the biggest budget but I feel like we’ve recruited well and now we’re looking to kick on.

“There’s the play-offs this year and that will be a target for a lot of teams. We should be one of those, but anywhere in the top eight, I’d be over the moon with that.”

The incomings at Hadleigh this summer include the Woodbridge duo of Luke Mallett and Mason Sinclair, but it is the addition of Carlos Edwards that has drawn the most attention.

The former Premier League footballer, who played at the 2006 World Cup for Trinidad & Tobago, will turn 45 in October.

However, Holder is confident that the ex-Bury Town man will have a big impact on his squad.

Holder added: “We’re delighted that Carlos has signed for us. We’re not sure if he’ll play every game or not, but when he’s around he’ll bring lots of experience to our changing room.

“Our players will listen to him and he has plenty to pass on.

“Whenever I watched Bury last season he was one of the best players. He’s still got that fire and passion to play football.”

Hadleigh will get their new campaign under way on Saturday at home versus newly-promoted Downham Town (3pm) before travelling to Newmarket Town (7.45pm) on Tuesday night.