Development A team through to cup final!!!

Photos- (top)- James Glen who had a match winning game in the centre of defence. (Middle) - The men in charge - Steve Chappell (left) and manager Joe "Daggers" Riley. (bottom photo - James Turner who had a top class game in midfield.

Colchester & East Essex Cup semi-final - Saturday May 7th 2011

Brantham 1 Clacton United Reserves

The Brantham Development A team, superbly led by Joe "Daggers" Riley and Steve Chappell made it through to the cup final at the weekend beating Clacton United Reserves 1-0. There was a decent crowd, of which I would think at least 80% were cheering the Brantham team on, at the University ground. We had the first real chance when a good move from midfield set Ross Cooper off towards goal and from just inside the area he hit a good shot on the run that the Clacton keeper did well to tip over the bar for a corner. Minutes later at the other end we took the lead. Arron Hall hade made ground after a good through ball and Arron was pushed in the back by a defender and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Josh Mann, taking his time, before hammering the ball home into the far corner of the net. 1-0. Clacton hit back almost straight away and only a great clearing header from James Glen denied Clacton the chance to hit back. We came back into the game with Stuart McPharland playing the ball through James Turner who hit it first time only to see it beat the keeper but go just wide. The same man then ran at the Clacton defence and went past two defenders before shooting at goal from distance. We had a bit of a scare just prior to the break when the ball was played towards the edge of the Brantham area and it turned into a race as to who could reach it first, the Clacton forward or our goalkeeper Tom Williams, and luckily it was Tom who made it and cleared the ball just as the Clacton man got to it, certainly Tom's clearance stopped what was a certain goalscoring chance for the Clacton side- phew! Half time - Brantham 1 Clacton Utd Reserves 0. The second half started after Joe's and Steve's half time talk with us again running at the Clacton team and in the first attack Josh Mann did the hard work and laid the ball into the path of Ross Cooper who saw his first time shot on the run go just the wrong side of the upright. The Clacton number 9 was a handful to say the least and he was looking dangerous on his runs into our area but James Glenn and Simon King were doing a good job of policing him. A great ball into the Clacton area saw both Alex Stocker and Ross Cooper run in but they were both just beaten to the ball by an alert Clacton custodian. With time starting to run out Clacton were prepared to push more men forward and this gave our front men that bit more of a breathing space and time to run at the Clacton goal. Despite this fact it was Clacton who had the next best chance when a forward broke through and rode two tackles, one of which drove him almost to the line, and despite team mates calling for the ball in the middle he tried a shot from an awkward angle which clipped the post. Goalscorer Josh Mann then received a bad knock to his ankle and had to come off, to a lot of applause from the Brantham supporters I might add, and he was replaced at the front by Rob Fairweather. It was Rob who was the next to try his luck after the ball had been played out wide to him and he cut inside and sent in a great cross which the keeper did well to tip over for another corner. With time running out, and with all Brantham supporters urging the referee to blow for full time, the Clacton side made one last great push to grab the equaliser. The ball was played into the Brantham area and during a bit of a goalmouth scramble the ball bobbled and just as a forward to was looking to hit it home up stepped James Glen with a huge clearance which denied them Clacton the chance to get even. After the match Joe "Daggers" Riley and Steve Chappell were full of praise for the team, who ALL played their part in a great result. The team were cheered off by a good crowd of Brantham supporters and we are all looking forward to the final in a couple of weeks time- see you there!! Once again on behalf of the team and club the thanks of the team for the great support from all of the people who made the journey, including the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Tony Hall, Colin Grogan and players,parents and everybody supporting Brantham who made their presence felt!

---barry felgate--

Reserves romp home 4-0 despite fancy dress prior to game-under manager Josh Mann!!

Photo - the shy and modest Josh Mann who donned the mantle of reserve team manager for their last game at home-and not a bad managerial debut as the team won 4-0
RIDGEONS RESERVES SOUTH - SATURDAY APRIL 30th
BRANTHAM RESERVES 4 LONG MELFORD RESERVES 0
Match report by "Manager of the day"- JOSH MANN
With us sealing runners-up spot the previous week the gaffers decided to make yourself available for selection then fancy dress must be worn on arrival al the club for this last game of the campaign. I arrived to find Spartacus, Batman, a Gangster, a gay ( Cookie), 118 man, Superman and many more and fair play everyone arrived in fancy dress. It was then decided by the boys to pull names out of the hat and play in those positions. Kev Mann pulled out the number 1 and there was a large sigh of relief in the dressing room. Josh Mann then made himself manager for the day (modest chap our Josh!!) and he also completed the notes so I apologise (writes Nathan Burrell) if I have not figures out your click and cross system.
The lads took to the field in their usual blue kit and in a match that saw referee Dave Duffett clock up his 375th game in the middle, what a great record and he will always be assured of a warm welcome at Brantham. It took a little while for the boys to find their feet in their new positions and Long Melford sprung the offside trap and Kev Mann made a great save one-on-one with the Melford forward. We eventually found our feet after 10 minutes and started to actaully play some decent passing football with James Long and Adam Thompson looking accomplished at full back. Ben Green and Danny Garrad (good to see height in the middle of the back four!!) were our centre back partnership and to be honest they had the Melford forwards in their pockets. We started to play from the back and opened the scoring after 15 minutes when James Long played a great ball through to Shaun Webb who carried it into the box and finished well to give us the lead. It was all Brantham and we quickly made it 2-0 when Ben Spencer scored a fine individual goal, in fact reading Josh Mann's notes, he described it as the best goal he has ever seen? when Ben found himself beating two defenders before dropping the shoulder to put the keeper on the floor and walking the ball into the net for a fine individual goal. Scott Cooke, who was playing up front with Alex Street,then had a florious chance to open his account when from another James Long cross Scott chested it down perfectly only to hit the corner flag with his effort! Scott did get then get onto the score sheet with a classy finish and ,again. described by Josh Mann as the second best goal he has ever seen on the notes, when Scott slotted home from a good 20 yards out to give us a 3-0 half time lead.
I cannot comment on what was said at half time as I was completing my warm up (writes Nathan again) expecting to enter the fray shortly.James Turned replaced Shaun "Danger mouse" Webb and soon got into action with his non-stop running and commitment. Ben Spencer then had a glorious chance to grab his second when James"The Monkey" Long cut the ball back from the by-line only for Ben to hit home a glorious air shot and the ball was duly cleared.
The large crowd then got what they had been waiting for all afternoon with Nathan Burrell and Allan Merchant replacing Ross Welton and Scott Cooke. the formation was changed and the new strike force of Burrell and Merch was formed, to be honest Ollie Mann and Lee Grimwood have been warned, the pace and power was outrageous from the two big fellas and personally Mr.Hall should have a look!! We were creating chances at will and Kev Mann broke through but put the ball just past the post. Then the veterans hit-man was put through by a lovely dinked pass from James Long and with the old legs not moving to fast he unleashed a rocket from 25 yards only to see the ball cannon off the bar ( tears have been shed!). We then scored our fourth and last goal of the game when Danny Garrad walzted past a couple of defenders ( a natural for Come Dancing!!) and calmly slotted past the keeper for a great finish. Ben Spencer still had time to miss another couple of chances but in the end we ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.
So second place acheived and we finished 3 points behind league winners Braintree, with the real damage being done when we had to replay the Witham game. We originally won that 5-0 only to lose the replayed match 3-0. But all in all a fantastic season and full credit to all the players that have played for Merch and myself this season. One interesting fact is that this season we had 21 different goal scorers, so as you cvan see it has been a great squad effort, and that includes people whio have dropped down from the 1st team and the Dev.A team players who have made the step up, MANY THANKS.
Brantham - 1.Kev Mann. 2. James Long. 3. Adam Thompson. 4.Ross Welton. 5.Danny Garrad ( 1 goal). 6.Ben Green. 7.Shaun Webb ( 1 goal). 8. Alex Drouet. 9.Alex Street. 10.Scott Cook ( 1 goal). 11. Ben Spencer (1 goal) . subs - James Turner and the "Caped crusadors" themselves, Nathan Burrell and Allan Merchant.
Many thanks to Josh Mann/Nathan Burrell for the match report. I know that both Merch and Nathan and everybody who has turned out for the reserve team have done not only the club, but also themselves proud, well done to each and every person.---barry felgate--

Brantham hit the "Jockeys" for six......

Our two hat trick men on the day against Newmarket Town.Ollie Mann (Left) and Lee Grimwood (right) but it the end it was a great team performance from every player on the day that won us the game and the points.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY APRIL 30th
NEWMARKET TOWN 2 BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 6
We made the journey to Newmarket for the last game of the season and after a match on a rock hard pitch we came away with a deserved 6-2 win. As this is the last first team report of the season I hope you will excuse the "journalistic licence" I have taken as the report is longer than usual, but it was the last game!!
Strikers Ollie Mann and Lee Grimwood grabbed a hat-trick each, with Ollie's third goal coming from an unselfish pass from Lee Grimwood when in fact Lee could so easily netted himself, but he didn't and his tee up for Ollie gave them both a hat-trick.
As one Newmarket supporter said " with the twin tornadoes up front (Ollie and Lee) what hope did Newmarket have of getting anything out of the game".
However, despite the final scoreline it was the home team who opened their account first early on. The Brantham defence seemed to give James Lane the space and time he wanted to hit home from close range.
We hit back when influential midfield man David Grimwood sent in a free kick which was headed goalwards only to be cleared by the keeper. We then had a corner and Andy French put a good ball into the area and Thomas Wray, who had motored up from the back, hit the ball just over the bar. Lewis Blanchett, enjoying the space he was being given by the Newmarket defenders, laid off a good ball for Ollie Mann to run onto but Ollie seemed to hurry his shot and put it just over the bar. Newmarket hit back and Tyte was allowed room to turn and shoot at goal but Ryan Bedingfield who had the shot covered saw it fizzle past the post.
We finally equalised when Lewis Blanchett played a good through ball for Lee Grimwood to run onto. Lee beat the advancing keeper,slotting home in style at the near corner. We took the lead when a good move orchestrated by David Grimwood. David went through and sent in a fierce shot on the the run which the keeper could not hold and as the ball bobbled about Ollie Mann, following up, hit home from close range. We made it 3-1 prior to the break when a move started at the back saw David Grimwood beat his marker and he played an inch perfect ball for Lee Grimwood to latch onto. Lee went round the oncoming keeper to hit home his second of the game. Half time - Newmarket 1 Brantham 3
The start of the second half saw manager Tony Hall make a couple of changes, bringing on substitutes Simon Mann and Chris French. Newmarket seemed a bit quicker out of the gate from the restart and they pulled a second goal back. The ball was played into our area and as a defender tried to clear the ball it bobbled up and hit him on the arm and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Grant Robbins who gave Ryan Bedingfield no chance with a hard shot from the spot and giving Newmarket some hope. Newmarket pressed forward and Bell broke through but put the shot wide of the post and that seemed to knock a bit of the stuffing out of the Newmarket lads.
From then on it was mainly us doing the attacking and we made it 2-4 when Chris French made ground down the wing, cut inside and let fly with a shot that the keeper seemed to fumble and "poacher supreme" Lee Grimwood was right on hand to hit home for a well deserved hat-trick. We made it 5 when the the ball was played down the flank and played into the area and with the ball bobbling about on the hard surface Lee Grimwood laid the ball for Ollie Mann to hit home from close range. We could have had more as several times the ball was put just the wrong side of the post but we made it 6-2 when Ollie Mann notched up his hat-trick after some unselfish work by Lee Grimwood. We had a quick break down the flank and the ball was played into the Newmarket area. Lee Grimwood was the quickest to react and he could well have put the ball away himself but Lee unselfishly teed the ball up for Ollie Mann to hit home from close range and join Lee on a hat-trick.
We might have added another goal towards the end when Thomas Wray, who had moved up front, ran through and hit the ball at goal. The keeper,somehow, managed to stop it and he hit it right back into the body of Thomas and the ball ricocheted off Thomas and back towards the goal and flew past the bemused keeper but went just the wrong side of the upright, and at that moment I have a feeling that Thomas knew he would not get onto the score sheet.
A great performance from a great bunch of lads and they did themselves and the club proud.
The only thing on people's lips after the game as to who was the new found "friend" of Vice Chairman Alan Clarke!! ( answers on a post card please!!!)
After the game all the team, plus some supporters had a night out in Newmarket and Ipswich and by all accounts they had a good time and they thoroughly deserved it. I would have gone but I have a feeling that by 8 o' clock at night I would be sound asleep in a chair!!!
Thanks also to the travelling supporters, Mr & Mrs.Sibbons, who have not missed a game, Mr.Blanchett, chairman Peter Crowhurst, Vice chairman Alan Clarke ( and his new found friend!!),Asst.Director of football, the one and only Robbie Rothwell, Mr.Mann and Mick Lowe, looking resplendent in his warfare shorts, and it was good to see Jono Crouch at the game and I am sure he was kicking every ball for the team and hopefully we will see him back in action at the start of the new season. The only regular member of the travelling supporters who could not make the game was Mr.Bloss, father of our Adam.
Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2. Jack Sibbons. 3. Andy French. 4.Thomas Wray. 5. Marc Lowe. 6.Kieran Lawler. 7,Lewis Blanchett. 8.David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10. Lee Grimwood. 11.Sean Gunn. subs used - Chris French and Simon Mann. subs not used - Adam Bloss ( injured) and Nathan Munson.
---barry felgate--

First team pre-season friendies dates/FA CUp-FA Vase dates

The following pre-season friendly matches for the first team squad have been confirmed.
Saturday July 16th - Stanway Rovers versus Brantham - Ross Crouch cup - 3.00 pm kick off
Tuesday July 19th - Stowmarket Town versus Brantham - at Stowmarket -kick off to be confirmed
Saturday July 23rd - Framlingham Town versus Brantham - at Framlingham -kick off to be confirmed
Tuesday July 26th - Ipswich Athletic versus Brantham - in Ipswich -kick off 6.30 pm
Saturday July 30th - Fixture to be confirmed.
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Some dates for the 2011-2012 season
The FA Cup extra preliminary round is scheduled for August 20th
1st round qualifying for the FA Vase is Saturday September 10th
The Ridgeons League ( subject to approval from the League Management committee) could start on Saturday August 13th.
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barry felgate

From the Chairman--part two

From the BAFC Chairman, Peter Crowhurst.
As we enter the last day of the football season I wanted to say a sincere thankyou toyou all for your hard work. By the time you read this you will know where we finished up in all the Youth Cups and final league games of the season.
In particular I wanted to say a huge thank you to Robbie Rothwell, Tony Hall and Phil Lawler who have worked so hards to get us the opportunity to get us the new changing rooms, etc.
This is not the first time Robbie has come in to help us, having been the person who ensured we secured the new stand (Ross Crouch grandstand). Robbie has always been a fantastic distinguished member of the club.
Similarily Phil Lawler has been recognised by the Suffolk FA by achieving the Community Football Outstanding Achievement Award.
I think Andy Powell deserves special mention too . The mere act of bringing along the fantastic Lynne for as start. But much more , the programme and expert secretarial work are absolutely monumental efforts.
Barry Felgate has always been there when we needed him- absolutely brilliant! Ably assisted by young Dan.
In our management team of Tony, Colin, Skinz, Merch, Nathan, Lee W, Joe "Daggers", Steve C, Neil W and Steve F we are, I believe, second to none.
With Jenny at the helm of the finances we remain in great shape. In Stuart Cooke and all the "Cookes" we have solid people with practical advice. In young Alex I think it says so much about the family, a wonderful person. And we also thank Ali yet again for her help with the end of season event.
And in Alan Clarke, our fantastic Vice-chairman, we have a pillar of strength who's always there with sheer hard work and good advice.
In our sponsors and supporters we simply have magnificent people.
We have a terrific team of people. The club lived in difficult times for years because of the historic divisions and misunderstanding. We have to put our collective advantage to one side. Worrying about 50 pence here and there and positions of white lines, etc. We must continue at all cost put division and keep division to one side. BLC, BAFC, ASM, Bowls, Cricket, Netball etc at the end of the day share one identity and one mission. If one part fails we all fail. If we all succeed then it will be a triumph.
When we all work together, like a good football team, we can achieve so much. When division succeeds its like a player who never passes the ball!
Let us all take a deep breath and re-double our efforts to work together as the tremendous team we are as we have all year for the benefit of our fantastic club.
These are exciting times if we can re-harness that energy of the fantastic people you all are !
How about a trip to Wembley in the FA Vase Mr.Hall!!!
Regards to all
Peter Crowhurst (Chairman- BLC and BAFC)

Manager Tony Hall's response to article in Star -re Ollie Mann

First team manager Tony Hall's response to the article in the Evening Star titled " Brantham slap 20K price tag on Ollie" by Nick Garnham
Dear Nick
I feel I must comment on the article concerning Ollie Mann. Clearly many clubs will make overtures to our players. Particularly a player that has been leading goalscorer in Division One and mosr probably the Premier League in consecutive years. With a total goals scored already this year in excess of 40 and at the age of 21 Ollie is the best striker in the Ridgeons League and he is a fantastic young person.
But Brantham Athletic Football Club have no reason or need to consider the sale of any of its players. We wish to strengthen and develop our squad in season 20112-2012, NOT dilute it.
We are proud that professional clubs have shown an interest in Ollie Mann - who wouldn't!
He is the product of an enviable Youth set up that is delivering a stream of young talent. With 6 of the present first team squad having played for Brantham since they joined our under 8's! This is a conveyer belt of talent. It is amazing to think that 5 of these boys at 21 have played 13 years already for this Club! With Oliver transferring to Colchester United for a prolonged period and then eventually returning on his own choice to us.
The finest league in East Anglia is the Ridgeons Premier League and such Ollie is with the right club at the right time.
But should any of our players be ready to make a step-up to professional football then that is a tottaly different matter.
Under those circumstances the whole club would be there behind the indivudual supporting them to achieve what they fully deserve. Under all curcumstances it is what is right for the players development that is at the forefront of our minds, and there is not a 20k price tag on his head.
Kind regards. Tony Hall

From the Australian branch of the BAFC supporters club

The following message came from the man who started up the Australian branch of the Brantham Athletic supporters club, Dean French.
As I am sure a lot of you will know that Dean is the dad of Brantham players Chris and Andy, and Dean was heavily involved with Brantham football club for a long time.
" As the season comes to a close I just wanted to congratulate you all for an excellent season. We follow the team from 16,000 miles away waiting for every result, programme from Andy, updates from Andrew and Christopher and some very early morning checks on the Ridgeons website each Sunday morning, with baited breath for the result. We have Brantham scarves and badges proudly paraded from our windows here in Perth ensuring that everyone gets to hear about the "boys in blue".
Andy Powell's programmes are becoming world famous as I forward on his copies to 14 different people all over Australia, who all wait for their weekly dose of Brantham Athletic FC.
This season has been a remarkable achievement by you all, both on and off the pitch, with individual and collective efforts. From the games I have seen when back home and from reading all the match reports, it seems the boys are capable of holding their own against any team in the division on their day and consistency is the final piece of the jigsaw.
Thank you all for the enjoyment you provide all the regular supporters, players and everyone associated with the club through your hardwork, passion and commitment. The Australian supporters club awaits your pre-season tour of Australia with much anticipation!!!
Take care and once again well done for a fantastic season
Dean ( French) "
Many thanks to Dean for his kind words and I am sure that all the team would like to play in Australia, the only thing they might ask is when they need to get into training for the rowing they will need!!!