Neil Smye is preparing plans for pre-season as the Blues U23s manager looks ahead to the 2026/2027 campaign in the SIL Premier, after the U23s were relegated from the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North last season.

“Although we came bottom of the division, I think we were competitive in most games last season since I’ve been at the club”, Smye reflected.

“Every team in this division (Thurlow Nunn League First Division North) has certainly I personally think the league has been better than in previous seasons.”

“We had had a lot of youngsters (16 and 17 year olds) in the side and I think at times experience has let us down. We went to Holbeach United early in the league and were two goals up with half an hour to go, but then conceded three goals in eight minutes.”

Smye, who took over at the back end of the 2022/2023 season, has guided the side to fourth bottom for three seasons, thus keeping the team up, before this one, and also helped the U23s reach the final of the Suffolk Senior Cup in 2024 at Portman Road, before the team lost 2-0 to Trimley Red Devils.

“The best we played last season for me personally was when we beat Long Melford 2-0 at home in the Suffolk Senior Cup. We played extremely well that night. We also defeated Long Melford at the back end of the season, with Ollie Long netting a hat-trick in difficult conditions in a 4-0 league win.

Unfortunately, with 23 points from 38 league games, the U23s finished bottom and will compete in the SIL for the first time as a second string club since 2005, although Leiston ‘A’ played in the Suffolk & Ipswich League between 2019 and 2021.

“The SIL will be a different challenge. I think we will still be competitive. I’m obviously frustrated we got relegated but it’s a challenge for the younger players at the club. There are some good, organised sides and it will be a physical and mental task as well but I have faith in my team.”

Neil, who was involved in Colchester United’s youth setup for a while before joining Leiston, is heavily involved with the club, overseeing four EJA teams and the U18s as well, so has he had much of a break over the summer?

“I’ve been enjoying the hot weather but haven’t had too much of a break in terms of football. I’ve been having meetings with the U13s and U14s in the last couple of weeks and trying to plan for the new season.”

The U23s will be back in training along with the first team at the club on Tuesday, 23rd June.