Framlingham Town sign Nathan Read from Ipswich Wanderers and launch appeal for new floodlights at Badingham Road

Framlingham Town have completed the signing of Nathan Read on loan from Ipswich Wanderers.

The forward joins the Castlemen for the remainder of their Thurlow Nunn League First Division North campaign, hoping to help the current top-of-the-table side achieve promotion.

Read made eight appearances for Wanderers in the Pitching In Isthmian League North Division this season and was a regular in their Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division title-winning side last campaign.

In 35 league appearances, Read netted 12 goals to help Ipswich Wanderers reach 89 points in the 2022/23 season.

Read began life at Badingham Road in perfect style, with a goal on debut in Liam Abraham’s side’s 5-1 victory at home to Holbeach United on Saturday.

Read netted a cultured left-footed finish from the edge of the penalty area into the bottom corner to cap off a rout from the league leaders.

Meanwhile, the Castlemen have set up an appeal to raise money to ‘urgently’ replace their 37-year-old floodlights in fear they may not be able to fulfil their fixtures.

They stated that the full project will cost £75,000 and the club can access the ‘Premier League LED floodlight fund’, which will provide them with £50,000 – leaving Fram with £25,000 to raise.

On their Crowdfunder page, the club said: “For all our teams, including our under-18s, it is vital we have functioning, reliable floodlights to ensure we fulfil our fixtures.

“As a club, we are very proud that Suffolk FA regularly asks us to host semi-finals and finals for county cup matches.

“The lights are also used by other sections of the sports club.”