Dunn knows that there’s still much to do at Pinchbeck United after signing deal

Ambitious Pinchbeck United player/boss Ian Dunn insists that there is still much to do at Pinchbeck United after signing a two-year contract with the club.

Dunn and his much-respected number two Allan Ross both inked contracts with the Knights before last Saturday’s FA Vase clash at Woodbridge Town.

Chairman Gary Coomes moved to tie the pair, who have guided Pinchbeck to back-to-back promotions and the Future Lions UCL Division One title in the past two seasons, after they were linked with the vacant Spalding United job.

Dunn, who has ambitions to manage higher up the non-league ladder, feels that the Knights must now aim to “get their house in order” and attempt to “rediscover their identity” in the coming years as they look to find themselves a ground they can call home (they are currently co-tenants with the Tulips at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field).

“I think the club acted after seeing Allan and myself linked with the Spalding United job,” said Dunn. “As I said last week, we weren’t interested in that role. But the club wants continuity and these contracts secure that.

“We keep making history here, but there’s still lots for us all to do.

“For starters, we need to get our own house in order.

“We’re tenants at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field – just like Spalding United – but we’d love our own facility.

“Maybe we’ve lost our identity a little bit by being co-tenants with Spalding, but the gamble we’ve taken has been worthwhile.

“About 18 months ago, the club was still down in the Peterborough League playing park football.

“Now we’re a step five club at the top end of the UCL Premier Division and long may it continue.

“We both want to drive the club forward and have two more years to keep things moving in the right direction.”

Having not been in Future Lions UCL Premier Division action last weekend, Pinchbeck were knocked off the top of the table by Daventry Town, who were 1-0 winners at Eynesbury Rovers.

The Knights are hoping to go back to the summit on Saturday, as they play host to Desborough Town at the Sir Halley.

Closing on a calendar year unbeaten in UCL football (they were Division One champions last year), Dunn wants his side to bounce back from their FA Vase loss at Woodbridge Town.

Seventh in the table, Desborough have only lost once in the league – but have drawn three of their six games so far ahead of their trip to South Holland.

“Desborough are another one of those established UCL sides that you must measure yourselves against,” added Dunn. “They’ve been there and done it before.

“I think they’ve had an up and down start, but I saw that they beat Newport Pagnell last time out. That result really jumps out at you.

“They’ve got a history of being hard to beat and playing competitive football.

“That’s the sort of challenge we usually thrive under, though. We relish rolling our sleeves up and having a battle – and that’s how I expect Saturday’s game to go.”

Following Saturday’s clash, Pinchbeck are in UCL Knockout Cup action at Division One side Bourne Town on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

The Knights earned a thrilling 4-4 draw in the corresponding league game last season.

Meanwhile, Lee Beeson has turned down an offer from higher-graded Grantham Town to stay with the Knights.

It’s a big coup for Dunn and his side, with the Gingerbreads currently two levels higher in the non-league ladder.