Last week the Lowestoft Town Director of Football, Craig Fleming accepted a fantastic opportunity in taking up a role with the U18's at Premier League outfit Southampton.

Everyone at the Lowestoft Town wishes Fleming all the best in an opportunity that was simply too good to turn down, with a club that have one of the best, if not the best youth set-up in the country.

The facts speak for themselves when you look back at Flemings time at the club and along with Chapman and Gallagher, the success during that time has been nothing short of phenomenal.
Craig Fleming arrived at the Crown Meadow for the 2008/2009 season and since then the club have won two league titles while securing three promotions, won the Suffolk Premier Cup on two occasions and reached the FA Cup 1st round proper against Wrexham. During this time the blues have played 370 games, registering 215 wins, 73 draws and 82 losses with the team having scored 723 goals and conceding 415 along the way.

After Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Stalybridge Celtic, I caught up with the man himself to discuss his move and to also reflect on his time with Lowestoft Town.

Congratulations from everyone at the club, it's a fantastic opportunity that you must be really happy with?
"It is an unbelievable opportunity to be honest with you and coming so close off the back of the Blackpool one, it was just too good to turn down. I want to make it clear though, that I've not been touting myself out for jobs and for both this job and the Blackpool one, they contacted me".

Southampton have one of the best youth set ups in the country with an endless list of household names coming from there (Walcott, Bale, etc, etc); so they have a great track record there don't they?
"Yeah and having been down there I can see why they produce so many good players, as the whole set-up and thoroughness is incredible".

So touching on your time at Lowestoft Town; you've been here since the 2008/2009 season and when you look back at where the club was then and where it is now, you must feel a great sense of achievement?
"It sometimes gets lost when you look back, as there are some people around the club that have different opinions and views on things but you've just got to look at the facts really. As a club we've been tremendous and I've enjoyed my time here, making some genuine friends along the way; friends who will be lifelong friends but there are too many to mention. You've just got to look back at where we started from and how the club was compared to now, as they're facts and you can't argue with those. Everyone who has been involved with it and all of the positive people around the club should be very proud of themselves. Past players, current players, Dave Carolan, Natasha at Petrogramme and all of those who are in and around the club now, the list is endless. We should all look back and be really, really proud".

So what was the response of the players when you broke the news to them?
"I think they all went home and threw a party haha. No, they could see like everyone can that it's an incredible opportunity and one that I just had to take".

So who will you pick on now, now that you can't stick most of your banter into Chappo?
"Oh I will still be sticking it to him, trust me haha! It will just be over the phone! Nah, with Chappo, Ady, Gary, yourself, the physio team, Dave Carolan, etc, there has always been a real close knit core to us and as I've already said, I've made some friends for life. Of course I'm really excited about where I'm going but when I think about leaving I do feel a bit emotional and a bit sad, as it's been a big part of my life".

On a final note, what can you say to the club as a parting message?
"I just want to say thanks to everybody; from Gary right at the top, to Mick and Ady and all the way down to everyone connected with the club (players, fans, etc). At the end of my playing career I'd kind of given up on football and had lost my love for the game but within a couple of month of being at Lowestoft Town I got it back and it's a special club, it really is. It's a special club with a core of very special people right in the middle of it and people should see that and remember that".

Continuing over the coming days, there will be more reaction and interviews with those at the club who worked alongside Craig Fleming.

Everyone at Lowestoft Town Football Club would like to yet again congratulate him on his appointment at Southampton and to thank him for everything that he's given the club during his time.

You will be sorely missed Craig and will be forever etched in the history and memories of everyone involved at Lowestoft Town Football Club.

Terry Bullen