THE Blues Under 23’s will play their first game of the 2026/2027 season this weekend when they host Old Newton United at the Flannery Stadium in the Gateway 14 Suffolk & Ipswich League Premier Division (2.30pm kick off).

Neil Smye’s team were relegated from the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North last season after finishing bottom, so Leiston will have a team in Suffolk’s top division at junior level for the first time since 2001. That season saw the Blues come third and take promotion to join the Eastern Counties Jewson League First Division.

Leiston’s Reserve team at the time continued to play in the SIL until 2005, when after finishing third in Intermediate ‘B’, they applied to go into the newly-formed Ridgeons Reserve League, which they played in until 2013, before spending a season in the Alliance League on a Sunday.

In 2014, the club went into the Eastern Counties Ridgeons League First Division, where they played for 12 seasons until the end of the last campaign in April this year.

The Blues have lost Mackenzie Travis, Billy Jordan and Cameron Young to Woodbridge Town during pre season and a step up at step five.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The first ever meeting between the two clubs took place on the opening day of the 1984/1985 season in the Suffolk & Ipswich League Senior Division. That initial meeting went the way of the hosts with Old Newton United victorious 2-0 on 25th August. The reverse fixture later the season in April, two Andy Jones goals earned Leiston a point in a 2-2 draw at the LWAA.

With regards matches featuring the Reserves, Leiston’s second string beat Old Newton United in the First Round of the Suffolk Senior Cup 1-0 on 21st September 2024. Charlie Atkin’s penalty in the first half secured the win as the Blues progressed to the quarter-finals before bowing out to Henley Athletic 1-0 at home in the quarter-final.

Old Newton United went on to win the league that season, losing just five league games out of 28, and taking 67 points to take the SIL Premier (then Senior) title.

THE MANAGER TALKS

Blues manager Neil Smye said before this weekend’s games;

“Pre-season went quickly and as well as we could have hoped, with the normal expected obstacles of holiday’s meaning players missing sessions and games.”

“We’ve had some new signings settling in, some youth players turning 16 given a chance and familiar players back at it looking to progress. We have also had some players leave, which we wish them all the best on their new adventures.”

“As normal, our aims for the season will be to help individuals develop their game and progress to higher levels of football. Hopefully, we a competitive as a team. That competitiveness will be evident at the weekend against Old Newton United in our first game. The strength of the squad also depends on players being called up to the first team. This will be seen as a success to our YDP, and seen as an opportunity for more young players at the club to play in the U23s.”

“There will be factors that will be different from the last few seasons. Being in a new league means less travelling and new grounds to visit. Playing new teams and playing against different players, one which my team will look forward to.”

Old Newton United were formed in 1959 and won the Suffolk Junior Cup in 2008.

August fixtures for the Under 23’s

Wednesday 12th: Leiston St Margarets (A) 6.30pm kick off
Saturday 15th: Henley Athletic (A) 2.30pm kick off
Tuesday 18th: Coplestonians (H) 7.30pm kick off
Saturday 22nd: Kirton Athletic (H) 2.30pm kick off
Saturday 29th: AFC Kesgrave (A) 2.30pm kick off

MATCH INFORMATION

Blues v Old Newton United
Gateway 14 SIL Premier Division
2.30pm kick off
The Flannery Stadium, Victory Road, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ
Tel: 01728 830308

Admission:Free entry

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