The ‘Morphew twins’ are set to be reunited at Needham Market Football Club next season.

Stowmarket Mercury: Keiran Morphew sets up an attack for Needham. Picture: ANDY ABBOTTKeiran Morphew sets up an attack for Needham. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Following his recent switch from Dereham Town, Needham new-boy Dan Morphew will be looking to partner Keiran at centre-half – the pair having played together at Thetford Town in the 2012-13 campaign.

“We used to get called the Morphew twins at Thetford, although we are not related at all,” said Dan, who was club captain at Ryman North Dereham before becoming Richard Wilkins’ first signing at Bloomfields.

“Keiran is a couple of years younger than me, and he was only just then getting into men’s football (at Thetford), but you could already see that he was going to be a good footballer.

“I’m looking forward to linking up with him again, alongside Luke Ingram and Darryl Coakley, who I played with for Suffolk Under 18s.”

Morphew is keen to prove himself in the Isthmian Premier Division after four years at Dereham, where he won two Supporter of the Year awards.

“I am really excited by the challenge,” said the 26-year-old, who is hoping to graduate imminently with a PhD in chemistry, a qualification he has been studying for at the University of Birmingham, while playing for Dereham.

“I loved my time at Dereham. Matt Henman and Neal Simmons were brilliant with me. Despite not being able to train or play mid-week fixtures, they gave me a starting berth every Saturday - and even made me captain last year - which I don’t think a lot of management teams would do. I am extremely grateful to the both of them.”

Henman resigned as Dereham boss at the end of last season, and, this, coupled with the fact that he is set to move back home to Suffolk, was a key factor behind Morphew’s move.

“Needham were aware of my situation and offered me the opportunity and challenge I wanted,” continued Morphew.

“They are a successful club and it was a very attractive proposition. Richard Wilkins was extremely personable from the word go, which was important for me, and hopefully I can contribute to the club’s success.

“I’d like to try and establish myself in the team and prove that I can play at a higher level - something I think I am capable of.”