Good memories of Ronnie streaking down the right wing in my early days of watching Lynn. Typical winger of his day with speed, accurate crossing and prepared to go past the full-back.  He also had a powerful shot and I think he was penalty taker for a time.  I vividly remember him blasting a shot against Cheltenham which pole-axed the full-back who caught it flush on the forehead. The player in question was Tony Haskins, who later joined Lynn under Reg Davies. Ronnie also played for Norwich and joined Lynn from Gillingham. RIP Ronnie Bacon, Lynn legend.

At long last Lynn appear to be making a concerted effort to encourage and develop local talent.  It has to be the way forward if the club wants to continue to improve and be seen to represent the community.  Over many years of following the Linnets the club has generally failed miserably to develop potential first team players, various managers being only too happy to import players from far and wide.
Given a chance the likes of Mick Manning, Keith Rudd, the Defty brothers and a handful of others have proved they have the ability to make the grade at the top of non-league football. I guess Norwich will always have the status to draw in the outstanding youngsters but there must be plenty below that level who can make it with  a club like Lynn.

Congratulations to everyone involved in helping to create a very proud moment in the club’s history. It has been achieved against formidable odds and, very importantly, playing proper football in a league known for its physical approach.
The subject of ground improvements has been touched upon already. Can anyone enlighten me as to what needs to be done, if anything, to meet National League ground grading requirements?  Perhaps the club could make this clear so the Trust can consider a financial contribution towards any necessary improvements?

With no live football to enjoy, I’ve been delving into my old progs, memorabilia and cuttings.  Some weeks ago I remember reading on the forum about the possibility of the Linnets going full-time should they gain promotion to the National League.
In 1964 I kept a cuttings scrapbook for the season, mostly match reports  and photos from the Lynn News. The caption for the team photo at the start of the season (Lynn had just won promotion back to the Southern League Prem Div) says “The Linnets’ full-time players pictured at the Walks Stadium with manager Len Richley”.
The lineup includes some familiar names to older fans.  Remember any of these Linnets? Ian Williamson, Ronnie Bacon, Norman Liggitt, Derick Lythgoe, Roy Proverbs, David Partridge, Roy Banham (a part-timer), Bob Edwards, Gerry Baker, Barrie Jones, Jack Walls, Dave King and, of course, Mick Wright.  Absent from the pic was Dick Whittaker.
I don’t know how long the full-time experiment lasted, maybe just that season. Does anyone know?
I have clear memories of Mick , Bob Edwards and Ronnie Bacon.  Also recall goalkeeper Jack Walls always looked immaculate, even on muddy days,  full-back Roy Proverbs had the best sliding tackle I have seen, Dave King was a prolific goalscorer and Gerry Baker was a formidable defender.
Good memories!

Just read TonyM’s feedback. As a former Lynn News journalist I would have thought there was enough newsworthy detail in Mr Cleeve’s evening for the local paper to report. Do you know if they were represented?  Thankfully, for us long-distance fans, TonyM has kept us ably informed. Big thanks to him.

It would be interesting to know whether Mr Cleeve believes the club has the infra-structure to support a National League campaign if Lynn win promotion at the end of the season.  I live in Leicestershire so won’t be attending but some feedback on this forum on what he has to say would be appreciated.

Good points made by Blue and Gold. Attendances generally were higher in non league in the 50s and 60s and Lynn regularly attracted 1500 - and more for local derbies against Wisbech, the Cambridge clubs etc. The old Eastern Pro Floodlit League usually pulled in over 1000.  One of the attractions for me, as a young football fan, was the chance to see former internationals like John Charles, Cliff Jones, Reg Davies, Ted Ditchburn etc. Can you imagine today’s Premier League players needing to prolong their careers in non league?

Many thanks to Mallard, admin, Blue and Gold for the info.  Interesting reading.  I do not know Mr Cleeve and I certainly would not pass judgement on his running of the club without more information. What I would say as a general comment, having covered non league football in my years as a sports journalist, is that it is a rarity for clubs like Lynn to operate at their level and survive on gate receipts alone.
It helps to have a successful team, playing entertaining football. So Lynn tick those two boxes.  But the infrastructure off the field must be there as well. That takes time to build and maybe the team punches above the club’s present capabilities.
I understand Mr Cleeve is sole owner of the club.  Therefore it seems logical he must put the hours in and find the financial shortfall.  I think I remember reading when he took control that the ambition was to take Lynn to League football.  If that is to be achieved then, I would suggest, things are going to get harder.
I am sure he gets pleasure from what he has so far achieved and I would love to see Lynn at the higher level so good luck to him and the team.