The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The Spalding Sunday League will have a high-profile new team among its ranks next season after Holbeach United Sunday confirmed their membership.
Managed by joint player/bosses Tim Cole and Josh Ford, Holbeach Sunday have been formed after defending champions Pinchbeck United Sunday disbanded.
Cole and Ford took control of league affairs for Pinchbeck last season, with chief Tom Roberts taking charge of the Lincs Sunday Cup matches.
The decision was made to disband the Pinchbeck team – famed for fielding top local talent like Jamie Stevens, Jonny Allen, Adam Jackson and Ricky Drury on a regular basis – last season, but Cole told The Voice that player-power forced he and Ford to perform a U-turn.
He said: “At one point last season it felt like things were coming to a natural conclusion.
“Things didn’t feel the same and it seemed like the right decision to call time on the team.
“But we got that positive vibe back towards the end of the season and a few of the lads approached me about carrying on.
“After having a word with ‘Fordy’, we decided to keep things going.
“I know a lot of the other teams see us as a side filled with UCL players. But, for somebody like me who can’t play with my mates on a Saturday, it’s the only chance I get.”
Having always enjoyed the social element of Sunday football at Tigers Social Club, Cole admits that coming under the Holbeach United banner was an easy decision.
The Tigers will allow the team to use their changing room facilities and will provide food after matches, with the vast majority of home games to be played at University Academy Holbeach.
They will be granted use of Carter’s Park for the more high-profile games, however, while the team strip will display the Tigers’ badge.
Cole admits that he and Ford have learned a lot from former boss Roberts – and they are hoping to emulate his achievement and guide the team to Lincs Sunday Cup glory.
He added: “A lot of the lads often spend the social side of Sundays at Holbeach, so it makes sense for us. For a lot of us, it’s also our club.
“We let ourselves down a bit last year, but we’re now very much focused on winning the Lincs Cup again.
“I know everybody involved with the team is massively grateful for what ‘Robbo’ has done for us over the years.
“Hopefully we can follow in his footsteps and win the Lincs Cup again. That was a great feeling.”
The switch to Holbeach isn’t the end of Pinchbeck United Sunday. Fellow Spalding Sunday League side Leisure League will now change their name and play under the Pinchbeck United banner.
