Hadleigh United joint managers David Thurkettle and Darren Harvey looking to bring back local players

New joint Hadleigh United bosses David Thurkettle and Darren Harvey are keen to bring a ‘community feeling’ back to the club.

The duo, who both live in the town, were recently announced as the successors to Liam Scopes in the Brettsiders dugout.

It is a club that they know well having enjoyed previous success as part of the reserves’ management set-up. And now that they are in charge of the first team, the pair are keen to utilise the talent in the local area.

Thurkettle, who spent the 2024/25 season as part of the coaching team at AFC Sudbury Reserves, said: “Over the last few years a lot of local players have left and gone to play elsewhere.

“I’m sure that has been for a number of reasons, but we want to bring them back to the club.

“We’re also keen to bring they’re families back to the club and that is one of our big aims – to create a community feeling. We’ve got a list between myself and Darren of players we’d like to try to tempt back. Some early conversations have happened since the season finished and hopefully we can get them back in.”

But while having a squad with players from the local area is one thing, Thurkettle is also keen to ensure that the group will be ‘competitive’ in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division.

The most recent term was tough for Hadleigh, who finished in 17th with nine wins from their 38 outings.

“We’re going to look to be as competitive as we can,” he added.

“Like every club we’ll have a budget that we need to stick to, but we’re confident that we can get a very good squad together, as well as using the pathway with our under-18s and under-23s.

“We’re definitely looking to be competitive and somewhere around mid-table would probably be a realistic target.”

And as well as overseeing positive results for the club, the aim is also to develop players that are capable of moving up the non-league ladder.

As far as Thurkettle is concerned, it is a win-win situation for both parties.

“We want young and hungry players that want to do well,” he said. “If they want to push on and maybe go on to play Step 3 or 4 football, that’s great. If they show they have that capability and a willingness to learn then we’ll have a successful season as well.”

Hadleigh, who will start pre-season training on June 10, have a batch of summer friendlies already lined up against AFC Sudbury Reserves, Long Melford, Stanway Rovers and Debenham LC.

Any local businesses wishing to sponsor the club should contact enquiries@hadleigh-utd.co.uk or visit hadleigh-utd.co.uk for more information.