Needham Market teenager Ace Howell has been offered terms with Town’s academy until the end of the season, the Ryman Division One North club has announced.

Howell, 17, who will join the U18s squad, has spent a number of spells training at Playford Road this season, having previously been with the academy as a schoolboy before being released when at U14 level.

Exciting winger or forward Howell broke into the Needham first team earlier in the season, making five starts and seven sub appearances, scoring three goals, and catching the eye of Steve Foley, who combines his position coaching at Town’s academy with the head coach’s role with the Marketmen.

Former Blue Kevin Horlock, now head coach at Needham’s academy, is delighted to see Howell follow George Clarke, who spent the last two seasons with the Town youth set-up before moving on in the summer, in making the move to the Blues.

“We are thrilled that another of our young scholars has been presented with an opportunity to return to the full-time game, particularly at a club of such stature,” the former Northern Ireland international said.

“Ace is a talented young player with great potential and in his time at Needham Market we have sought to harness that natural ability, not only within the academy set up but also within Mark Morsley’s first team squad, where he has gained experience from playing alongside and sitting in the same dressing room as players of great quality and significant experience in the professional game.”

Photo: Action Images

kingshefki added 22:08 - Jan 23 Cool name
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parkinshair added 23:22 - Jan 23 Okay who else immediately thought Red Dwarf
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ipswich134 added 03:56 - Jan 24 Sign them up.
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WeWereZombies added 09:06 - Jan 24 Smoke me a kipper, Parkinshair, I'll be back for breakfast. I hope the Ace is a nickname and not a parent's well meaning millstone.
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truckerblue added 09:08 - Jan 24 Welcome Ace now grab this opportunity with both hands and make a name for yourself here at town.
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Seasider added 12:13 - Jan 24 Lets hope he lives up to his name.Remember Colin Viljoen's nickname was 'Ace' ;but this would appear to be his first name.
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bluegc added 13:04 - Jan 24 I know quite a bit about Ace, having played against him this season. Very talented footballer and was clearly the shining light of their side. His best position is just off the striker (in a David Silva style role), very creative in finding passes and a brilliant dribbler. Having said that, we (Woodbridge), did beat Needham reserves 2-1 and I have a sneaky suspicion he might have spent a while hiding in the back pocket of a certain Bluegc. Popped out once and won a foul because of his quick feet. But perhaps I should be expecting a call..... ? No? Okay. Probably not :(

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muccletonjoe added 13:35 - Jan 24 We do have a jack marriot , don't hold out much hope of us getting the royal flush tho
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NicRams added 13:39 - Jan 24 McQueen as well
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linda16 added 14:57 - Jan 24 well done Ace now make it to full team
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Mr_Evans added 05:45 - Jan 25 I've refereed NMTFC on a number of occasions and if this is the player I think it is then he is very very talented. Although very slightly build he does hold himself well and runs at players with confidence. Polite fella too.
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Mr_Evans added 05:46 - Jan 25 NMTFC youth under 18's**
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