A NEW book has been published on football grounds in Suffolk.

The intriguingly named ‘On the drag’ is a full colour, glossy 188-page paperback featuring more than 50 Senior clubs in the county produced in association with The Offside Trust.

It has been written by Lowestoft-based Steve Penny, who has visited the grounds and taken more than 400 eye-catching photographs with his camera.

The book features informative sections on all the county’s teams in the top 12 levels of the national game, with the county’s highest-placed clubs (those at Steps 2-4) having four pages each devoted to them.

Three pages are given to clubs at Step 5 & 6 (mainly Thurlow Nunn League) clubs and two pages to those competing outside the National League System in the top divisions of the Suffolk & Ipswich League, Anglian Combination, Essex & Suffolk Border League and Cambridgeshire Leagues.

Not only is each club’s shirt colours and badge featured, but useful background information such as the reference for the exact centre spot of each ground if using the What3words app.

The nearest railway station, admission prices and whether car parking, a club shop, programmes, bar and refreshments are available all provide useful information along with club website, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) addresses.

It features a good stats section and ‘programme parade’ at the back of the book.

Almost inevitably, some errors have crept in – Kirkley & Pakefield ‘United’ and the first of AFC Sudbury’s three consecutive FA Vase Final appearances has been omitted to mention just two.

But this should not detract from what is a very informative and well thought-out book which could still be a late Christmas present if you are stuck for an idea.

The title ‘On the drag’ came courtesy of the author’s car getting blocked in at Grundisburgh, making him late turning up at the two grounds he subsequently visited the same afternoon. On both occasion he was greeted by club officials telling him he was ‘On the drag’!

Author Steve Penny said: “Since Ipswich Town’s promotion to the highest level, the vagaries of the Premier League fixture list means many Tractorboys fans will be at a loose end on Saturday afternoons. This book will help them get their fix of live football right on their doorstep.

“I’m really pleased with the finished product and hope it allows many ‘groundhoppers’ to discover the footballing delights of Suffolk.”

The book is available from Beccles Books for £19.95 or direct from the publisher post free for £18. A portion of all sales before December 31st this year will go to The Offside Trust. It will also be available on Amazon from January 2nd 2025 for £19.95.

More details are available on Facebook via ‘stevepennymedia’ and X (formerly Twitter @SuffolkFootie2