Tulips head south for new season

As predicted, Spalding United will be swapping the Northern Premier League for the Southern League after their Midlands Division title success.

That brought promotion but the Tulips are heading to the Southern League’s Premier Central Division for the 2024/25 season, thanks to the vagaries of geography and how the non-League system works.
They will join fellow promotion winners Bedford Town, Biggleswade Town, Harborough Town and Lowestoft Town in the 22-strong competition, alongside Banbury United and Bishop’s Stortford, who were relegated from National League North.
The rest of their opponents comprise AFC Sudbury, AFC Telford United, Alvechurch, Barwell, Bromsgrove Sporting, Coalville Town, Halesowen Town, Kettering Town, Leiston, Redditch United, Royston Town, St Ives Town, Stamford, Stourbridge and Stratford Town.
The Tulips wasted no time in releasing details of their season ticket prices, with their 21-match home programme available to watch for £180 (adults), £105 (concessions) and £45 (12-17 years olds). That equates to £8.57, £5 and £2.14 per match. Entry for u11s is free.
For more details, email commercial@spaldingunited.net or call 07921 699072.
Meanwhile, Pinchbeck United are also facing a change in direction for their league journeys, after being moved into Division One North of the Eastern Counties League following their relegation from the Premier Division North of the United Counties League.
Although they face lengthy trips to the Essex coast for matches against Harwich & Parkeston and Holland, they do have local clashes to look forward to against Holbeach United, Parson Drove, FC Peterborough and Whittlesey Athletic.
The only other new team in that division are Gorleston Reserves, while Needham Market u23s have been reprieved from relegation.
All placings are subject to appeal and will be confirmed at annual league meetings.