Former Ipswich Town midfielder Kevin Horlock has guided Suffolk non-league side Needham Market to the Southern League Premier Central title. 

The 51-year-old led the Marketmen to automatic promotion following a 3-1 victory over Royston Town at Bloomfields yesterday.

Horlock who was appointed manager in 2019 said: “It feels unbelievable. It’s been a long season, we’ve been really consistent but once you get in touching distance, you start dreaming and believing.

"To get over the line at home, in the way we did, it rounds off a really fantastic season and I’m very lucky to be manager of this group of players." 

 

 

The Marketmen clinched the league with three games left to play and will play Step 2 football for the first time in the club’s history next season. 

There is two other Town connections in the Needham squad in the form of academy graduates Byron Lawrence and Tommy Smith, who have played their part in the title win. 

They are 11 points clear of second place Mickleover who suffered a 3-1 defeat at Stourbridge, a side managed by another former Town player in Darryl Knights. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Kevin Horlock made over 50 appearances for Town.Kevin Horlock made over 50 appearances for Town. (Image: Newsquest)

Horlock added: “I’ve been part of promotion-winning teams in my career and we had good players, like we have good players here, but we have something different.

“When the final whistle went, I was just emotional. I’m quite an emotional person. I tried to be a bit of a hard-nut when I was playing and have that aura about me but I’m a softy at heart. It brought a tear to my eye I must admit!"

In total, Horlock made 62 appearances during his two seasons at Portman Road.