LOCAL FOOTBALL: Upwell Town merges with Wisbech Town Acorns

Two local sides have merged in a move branded as “enormously exciting” by bosses.

Cambs League side Upwell Town has joined forces with PDFL outfit Wisbech Town Acorns, with the two clubs to go under the latter’s name for the 2017/18 season.

The Acorns’ first team will ply their trade in Division 2B of the Cambs League – the division Upwell played in last season – and will be managed by former Upwell boss and vice chairman, Karl Shultz. The club aims to have three sides in the Cambs Division.

He said: “Bringing our senior players to play under the Acorns name makes so much sense. I’m surprised we haven’t thought of it before.

“Whilst being called Upwell, we haven’t actually played there for seven years now. The players and coaches are predominantly Wisbech-based, with many current and former players coming through the ranks at the Acorns before coming to us.

“They have a fantastic set-up with young talent in abundance. I’m a huge fan of developing players who want to learn and I’m keen to work with other coaches already established at Acorns with the goal of developing young players to feature in the first time in years to come.”

Club chairman, Rob Gifford, said: “It’s an enormously exciting prospect. Between us, we are hoping that some of the players coming across will consider taking coaching courses and getting involved with the young age groups.”

The newly-merged club is to host an open training session on June 10 at Gorefield Community Sports Hall.