QUICK SANDY STEPPING UP!

UPBEAT Spalding United boss Elliot Sandy is backing his promotion-winning troops to rise to the challenge of Step 3 football next term.

- John Lyons

Sandy’s first full season in charge ended in title delight as the Tulips clinched the NPL Midlands crown and they are now preparing for Southern Premier Central football.

The 38-year-old acknowledges that it will be a tougher test of his squad’s capabilities, but believes that, with a few additions, they can more than hold their own at the higher level.

“There are a lot of good quality teams and you have to be more consistent,” he told The NLP. “At Step 4, if we weren’t quite at it we would still sometimes have enough to beat the teams in the bottom half.

“If we aren’t at it or don’t prepare right next season, we know that anybody can beat anybody. It’s a league I played in quite a lot and you have to be on your game. It’s a lot more professional and requires a lot more commitment from the players.

“We’re definitely going to enjoy it – as long as we consolidate. We have worked hard to get to Step 3 and, first and foremost, we want to make sure we stay there. However, the club is ambitious and so am I. We’ll push for the top half and playoffs if we can.