Ian Dunn says Pinchbeck United are targeting a place in the ChromaSport UCL Premier Division inside the next two years after finally having their promotion from the Peterborough League confirmed.
Pinchbeck will play UCL Division One football for the first time in their history next season, having been promoted as PDFL Premier Division runners-up.
They will play their matches at Spalding’s Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, having obtained a one-year lease to be tenants at the South Holland District Council owned ground.
Player/boss Dunn, who led the Knights to President Premier Shield glory last season, admits that everyone at the club is “buzzing” to be making the step up.
As the PDFL Premier Division’s longest-serving club, he has called the promotion “historic” – but he doesn’t want the progression to end there.
“We’re all buzzing that our promotion has finally been made official,” enthused Dunn, who has managed at UCL Premier Division level with Boston Town in the past. “It was our goal when I returned to the club three years ago.
“Promotion was always our target above anything else last season – and I was honest with the lads about not wanting to be in the PDFL again this coming season.
“If we’d failed to go up for whatever reason, that would have been me done. But I’m obviously delighted to be able to make the step up with Pinchbeck.
“UCL Division One isn’t unlike the PDFL Premier Division. It’s packed full of a lot of teams that have been in the league for quite some time. But I will look forward to the little things – like not being up against club linesmen every week.
“I’m confident that we can compete at the top end of the table next season, that’s what we’re used to. But the lads will have to be aware that there is a step up in fitness, commitment and attitude from our opposition. We’ll have to adjust.
“We won’t just be able to turn up and win games like we have done in recent seasons, that’s for sure.
“But I’m not saying UCL Division One holds any fears for us. The club is on an upward trajectory and we’re not coming up just to make up the numbers.
“The new goal is to win promotion to the UCL Premier Division in the next two years.
“We’re all very proud of what we’ve achieved, it’s historic for the club. But let’s keep the progression going, there’s no reason for us to fear anything next season.”
Perhaps the most complicated element of Pinchbeck’s promotion is the fact that are now co-tenants at the Sir Halley with Spalding United.
With the Tulips also having a Reserve side, albeit in PDFL Division Two, Dunn knows that Pinchbeck will have to be flexible with their fixture dates.
He insists that Pinchbeck will fit in around Spalding’s first team and knows that they will have to play second fiddle, meaning he expects his side to be playing matches on Friday nights, Wednesday nights and even the occasional Sunday.
“We will be very respectful to Spalding United,” added Dunn. “They are the senior team and the Sir Halley has been their home for a long time.
“We know that their first team games take precedence over ours and it won’t be an issue. We’re open to playing fixtures on any dates, be it Fridays, Wednesdays or whatever. It’s not a problem as far as we’re concerned.”
On the field, Dunn admits that he’s facing a battle to keep hold of goal machine Ollie Maltby. The striker, who netted 62 times for the Knights last season, has received a lucrative offer from a step three side.
Dunn remains hopeful that he and the rest of the promotion-winning squad will stay for next season, but feels he needs to add five new faces.
He’s targeting players that have impressed him in the PDFL over the past few seasons and is hoping to cherry-pick some of the league’s top talent.
“Ollie has been contacted by a step three side,” admitted the player/boss. “It’s not surprising that his efforts have been recognised elsewhere.
“He’s going to speak to them, which of course he should. It has obviously turned his head a bit and would be a great move for him. We’d miss him massively, but I do retain hope that he’ll stay. Ollie, like the rest of the lads, is excited by what comes next at Pinchbeck.
“I do feel we need a squad of 20 for next season. That’s just how football is now, the days of having the same 15 or 16 players every week have gone. We’ve got meetings with a few targets set-up for this week. I’m hoping to sign players from PDFL sides who can make the step up with us – I’ve seen a few that are way too good for that level.
“I’d be foolish to try and sign UCL Premier Division players. They’d want too much money and we’ll have to be smart with our budget.”
Pinchbeck hope to play six pre-season games, with games against Peterborough Northern Star, Sleaford Town and Wisbech St Mary already agreed.
- Top scorer Maltby swept the board at Pinchbeck’s end-of-season awards night on Saturday.
The striker walked away with the players’ player of the season, manager’s player of the year and supporter’s player of the season awards.
The other award dished out saw the loyal Gary Coomes named clubman of the year.
