Non-league football in Suffolk has never been in better shape

Indeed, some would say it is in as good a shape as it has been in decades and fans are coming out in force to enjoy, as Suffolk's local teams raise the bar.

Attendances for many of Suffolk's top sides are on the rise and results on the pitch mean this season is already shaping up to be a fascinating one for many.

Let's start at Step 3, with Leiston and Needham Market. Chris Wigger and Darren Eadie's Leiston are having a fantastic time in the Southern League Central Premier.

The Blues currently sit in third place with two games in hand on leaders Tamworth (who they beat on Saturday) and one game in hand on second-placed Nuneaton Borough.

Reaching Step 2 would be an outstanding achivement and while there is, like there is for all non-league teams, a long way still to go, the start Leiston have made this season cannot be praised highly enough.

For Needham Market, it was a disappointing defeat at Basford United on Saturday in the league, which leaves them six points off the top six. However, they do have games in hand.

Their recent FA Cup run which came to a battling end at League One Burton Albion, has put the Marketmen on the map and they have enough quality in their squad, under Kevin Horlock, to make moves in the second part of the season.

Lowestoft Town (blue) are currently top of Isthmian North, in action against New Salamis (Image: Shirley D Whitlow)

Only last midweek they, like Leiston did on Saturday, beat leaders Tamworth.

Can Leiston or Needham go up? Well, you have to win the league to go up automatically to a tough Step 2 National League, that could include the likes of Chester, Kidderminister and Hereford if it were National North, and Dover Farnborough and Oxford City, if it were National South.

It wouldn't be wrong to suggest the play-offs are already looking a minimum for Leiston however, and there is no way you can write off Needham for a top five play-off finish.

In Isthmian North, Step 4, the league table is currently a dream to look at for fans of Suffolk non-league and surely one more Suffolk side, hopefully two, will be playing Step 3 next season.

Rick Andrews' AFC Sudbury are currently top and unbeaten in the league, a point ahead of Lowestoft Town. Sitting in third place are Stowmarket, while Felixstowe & Walton are fourth. It's currently a complete whitewash of Suffolk sides at the summit.

Sitting in eighth and just three points off the play-offs are Bury Town, another strong club who are capable of a top six finish, minimum.

It really is a sight to behold to see Suffolk sides doing so well at this level and attendances continue to rise at all these clubs. All four sides are in the top six average home attendances so far this season in Isthmian North, with Bury out top with almost 600 fans attending per home game.

Felixstowe & Walton's Josh Hitter on the ball against Tilbury. The Seasiders are another club enjoying a fine season so far (Image: Stefan Peck)

So, who is the best-placed to go up? Well, quite frankly they all are. All have good facilities, but most importantly all have fan bases and set-ups that could surive what is admittedly a big jump into Step 3.

What a thrilling season it has the potential to be at Step 4 in Suffolk.

And so onto Step 5, and the Thurlow Nunn Premier League. And while Norfolk sides, Wroxham and Gorleston dominated the table for much of last season, alongside Mildenhall Town, this season Suffolk is back in the hunt.

Six of the top eight sides are from Suffolk with a revatalised Hadleigh United and former Ipswich Town midfielder, Luke Hyam's Woodbridge in second and third, behind leaders Thetford.

Ipswich Wanderers, in sixth, are showing they can handle Step 5 football easily enough after promotion last season, while Lakenheath are still in the FA Vase after beating Buckhurst Hill on Saturday. Lakenheath are fifth in the table and having another fine season.

Coupled with Mildenhall (seventh) and Long Melford, showing great spirit to shrug off last season's poor form to be in a healthy eighth, it's looking like promising second halves of the season for many Suffolk teams.

Only one can go up, however, while second place goes into a play-off. It's a tough league to get out of.

Lakenheath's Charlie Beckwith saves well from Ipswich Wanderers Matt Blake. Both Suffolk sides in good form this season again (Image: Paul Voller)

And finally, at Step 6, Thurlow Nunn North, Framlingham Town are enjoying a brilliant first half of the season. They currently sit in second in the table, two points behind Heacham, but with four games in hand. Will Fram get back to Step 5?

Everything is in place at Badingham Road to do so and they are looking in good shape.

As is Suffolk non-league football right now, with good crowds, good facilities and shedloads of talented players, both with experience and young players coming through the ranks.

What a second half of the season awaits.