Press Release

Mel Aldis Announced As First Team Manager

"It is a great club which is well run and with the right infrastructure to be able to progress up to the Ridgeons League . . . " - Mel Aldis

Framlingham Town Football Club today announces, Friday 17 June, that Mel Aldis is to replace Rob Allum as 1st team manager.

Aldis, who left Ridgeons League side Debenham LC at the end of the season, said: “I was going to have a year out of the game, but after one month away I realised that after 25 years involved in management and 35 years altogether as a player as well, that was going to be difficult.

“People say you should not go back to where you were successful once before, but it is a long time ago that I was here and there are different people involved with the club, and as soon as I walked in the door it just felt right. I spoke to three of the club officials and they were brimming with enthusiasm.

“It is a great club which is well run and with the right infrastructure to be able to progress up to the Ridgeons League, although being realistic I don’t think it will happen next season.

“I want to get back to my team playing football, something I was not able to do in the last couple of years at Debenham, by putting together a good young team with a couple of old heads.

“I think most SIL teams could finish half way in Division One of the Ridgeons League - I honestly don’t think there is much difference in the standard between the two - and my aim is to win promotion, although I am not under any pressure to do so straightaway.”

Aldis has returned to Framlingham where he spent five years as manager from 1987 onwards plus a further year as a player after winning the league title and Mick McNeil Cup in the same season.

Chairman Geoff Mayhew said of Aldis' appointment: “Mel was very successful here before, winning the league and cup double, and we are delighted to get him back as manager.

“We will be holding a signing afternoon on Saturday from 2pm until 5pm, when current and new players are invited along to see what the club has to offer.”

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