Promotion hunters invite presenters to party

Needham Market’s proud officials have invited BBC 5 Live’s 606 team of Darren Fletcher and Robbie Savage to present the national football phone-in show from Bloomfields after the pair named the Ryman North play-off hopefuls as their ‘Non-League Team of the Day’ on Saturday.

Millions of listeners heard the Marketmen earn the vote of the presenters, pictured, after their 7-1 mauling of Chatham Town at Bloomfields helped them overhaul Thurrock to snatch fifth place and the final play-off berth on the last day of the season.

Both sides finished the campaign on 87 points after Thurrock lost 2-1 at home to Tilbury but crucially, the goal fest for Mark Morsley's side saw them overturn a five goal deficit in the goal difference stakes into plus two to book a Tuesday night play-off semi-final at Ryan North runners-up Witham Town.

Regular listeners of the BBC 5 Live’s post match programme have heard the presenters select their top team based on performances every week since the start of the season. Fletcher in particular, knows all about the Suffolk club after following their FA Cup run. He was also presented with a replica Marketmen shirt by the club and officials hope the gesture might persuade him to turn up for their end of season awards night and consider doing the show from their home in the future.

NMFC President Keith Nunn said: "It was great to win our final home game against Chatham and to qualify for the Ryman Play offs but even better listening to the BBC 606 radio programme on the way home to hear Darren Fletcher and Robbie Savage selecting Needham Market as the 'Non-League Team of the Day'.

"We have invited Darren to our end of season presentation evening on May 10th and we hope that we can convince him to do the show from ‘Bloomfields’ one day."

A club spokesman added: "Darren has an affinity for Needham Market FC and we hope that in spite of the fact that he lives in Nottingham, he will be able to make the journey to Suffolk.

"Needham Market is grateful for the continuing national exposure. The club hopes in a small way to be reflecting the aspirations of all Non-League clubs to be recognised as a valuable part of the of the national game."