Jonathan RedheadCraig Fleming has pledged his future to Lowestoft Town after being linked with the manager's job at Histon. The former Norwich City defender has been part of the successful management team at Crown Meadow for two seasons as the Blues have gained back-to-back promotions.Jonathan Redhead

Craig Fleming has pledged his future to Lowestoft Town after being linked with the manager's job at Histon.

The former Norwich City defender has been part of the successful management team at Crown Meadow for two seasons as the Blues have gained back-to-back promotions.

They are almost certain to be playing in the Ryman League Premier Division in August and after Town's success, Fleming was linked with a switch to the Stutes of the Blue Square Conference Premier Division last week.

Histon only secured their place in the division on the last day of the campaign after a season of turmoil off the pitch which saw the departure of long-serving boss Steve Fallon.

And sources in Cambridgeshire claimed Fleming was high on their wanted list after his efforts with the Blues alongside joint managers Micky Chapman and Ady Gallagher, while the 38-year-old's name has also been linked with vacancies around the country, including Football League sides.

But although Fleming admitted it was flattering to be linked with teams from higher on the pyramid, he wants to stay with the north Suffolk side and help to continue their surge up the non-league ladder.

"It's obviously nice to get linked with clubs at a higher level, but I had a good chat with the chairman (Gary Keyzor) and Mick (Chapman) and Ady (Gallagher) and it just seems right to stay," said Fleming, who completed a parachute jump to raise thousands of pounds for charity on Sunday alongside former Canary team-mates Darren Huckerby, Gary Holt and Paul Crichton and Lowestoft players Adam Smith, Greg Crane and Matty Potter.

"We've done so well in the last couple of years and I think we can do more, I really do.

"We've had meetings with players that we're hoping to get on board which have gone quite well.

"It's just a progressive club. I'm really ambitious and I want to get on and do well but I believe I can do it at Lowestoft and I believe we can do it together."

The Blues have also been boosted by the news that five of their key players have signed two-year deals with the club.

Leading scorer Matt Nolan, defenders Smith and Crane and midfielders Andrew Fisk and Scott Mitchell have all penned contracts with the Blues after their brilliant season which saw them bag more than a century of points and goals.

All five joined Town at the start of last season and made major contributions to the Ryman League Division One North championship-winning campaign and their new contracts should ward off the attentions of several clubs eyeing up their services over the close season.

Meanwhile, Fleming believes former City team-mate Gary Doherty will have no trouble finding himself a new club.

The Republic of Ireland defender was realised by the Canaries last week after six seasons with the club.

"I think Doc is one of those players that until you've played in a team with him you don't realise how good he is," Fleming said.

"I played alongside him and I think he's a very good player.

"He took his fair share of flak, and one player seems to get it every year and I think he had it a couple of years ago but he came through strong and I think he had a decent season.

"More than that, he's a good lad to have around as well. I'm sure he'll feel a little down now, but someone will snap him up."