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Brad adds defender, midfield and forward Iron Manager Brad Quinton has continued his squad-building with the addition of three more players to his squad for the forthcoming Vanarama National League South campaign. Joining the Club are defender Ricky Gabriel, striker Nigel Neita and midfielder Connor Bolton from Brad's previous club Enfield Town. 26-year old Ricky Gabriel was part of Brad's side that lost the Ryman League play-off semi-final at Dulwich Hamlet last May, making a total of 43 appearances and scored seven goals for the North London club. He joined Enfield from local Spartan South Midlands League side Brimsdown in early 2015 and had a spell at Dover Athletic after playing in the USL Pro League for Antigua Barracuda FC. Nigel Neita started his career at Arsenal and signed a professional contract in 2011. During his two years with the North London club he was called up for Jamaica's friendly against Costa Rica in March 2012. After leaving Arsenal, he moved on to Dulwich Hamlet in 2013 and then Met. Police a year later. Now 23, he was also at Enfield Town with Brad last season and made 18 appearances, scoring twice. Connor Bolton is 22 and at home on the left side of midfield. Another with Brad at Enfield last season, Connor also spent time at Hadley and Ware last season. Part of the Enfield Under-21 side that won the Middlesex Premier Cup in 2015.  Second XI back at the IronmongeryDirect Stadium Braintree Town Football Club have arranged for their reserve side to play their Thurlow-Nunn League Division One matches at the IronmongeryDirect Stadium next season. Reserve management Lee Fisher and Luke Nash said: "We feel like we are back where we belong this coming 2017-18 season." "The success of the extensive drainage work carried out on the pitch this time last year, has allowed the Reserves to return after a successful 2016-17 season playing out of Long Melford FC - who we thank for their support in recent years." "News of the young Iron Res's returning to the IronmongeryDirect Stadium for 2017-18 will hopefully be taken with much joy from the fans and supporters. Creating a buzz every week that 234 supporters achieved on the last home game is our aim." "The Reserve management has an open canvas to create something special at Braintree. Working closely with Brad, the 1st Team management and players; we will be able to attract, develop and utilise all avenues and facilities at the IronmongeryDirect Stadium." "One of the great qualities from the committed Reserve management is the ability to nurture a close-knit environment which allows all players to gain confidence and generate their best performance. Delivering success will be a by product of this." "Chairman Lee Harding and the Board are fully supportive of the return and working closely with the youth." "Attracting local sponsorship during preseason is something we wish to generate contact Club Sales & Marketing Director Mark Sansom via e-mail: sales@braintreetownfc.org.uk." "We hope we can make it a success and enjoy the return to the IronmongeryDirect Stadium. Pre season starts on 22nd June with the season kicking off on 5th August."  Striker and attacking midfielder sign Iron boss Brad Quinton has added a further two signings to his squad for the forthcoming Vanarama National League South campaign. Rejoining the club is 29-year old striker Liam Enver-Marum who played eighteen games for the club during our successful 2013-14 season when we finished sixth. Liam started his career at Cambridge United before moving on to Crawley, Ebbsfleet and Stevenage. After leaving Braintree, he enjoyed spells at Bishop's Stortford, Basingstoke Town and, last season, Maidstone United and Hemel Hempstead. Also joining the Club is 26-year old Billy Crook. A goal-scoring midfielder, Billy scored 17 goals and provided 17 assists last year for Brad Quinton at Enfield and finished the season as the players' player of the season, supporters player of the season, manager's player of the season and golden boot award winner! Billy started his career as a youngster at Crystal Palace before being given a professional contract at Peterborough. He then moved on to the Glen Hoddle academy in Spain, before returning to the UK and playing for Met Police, Dulwich Hamlet and Enfield.  Brad signs George Sykes Brad Quinton has continued his pre-season build-up with the addition of a 6'4" striker to the Iron squad. 22-year old George Sykes joined the Barnet youth team as an under-16 and was top scorer in the English U-18 youth system in the 2011-12 season with 24 goals. He made his senior debut at the age of 17 against Bristol Rovers in August 2012 and signed his first professional contract with the Bees in November 2012. He won the League Two Apprentice of the Year award at the Football League Awards in March 2013. During his three years with Barnet, Sykes had various loan spells before joining Dartford for the 2015-2016 making 25 appearances. After a 2nd short loan spell at Canvey Island, George made the move permanent, joining the Ryman Premier side for the 2016-2017 season where he scored 21 goals in a difficult season for the club as they were relegated. George swept the board at the clubs end of season presentation evening winning Manager's Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and the SupportersÕ Player of the Year awards.  Iron squad taking shape Braintree Town manager Brad Quinton has continued his busy squad-building with the addition of three players to the Iron squad for the forthcoming season. Joining the club is 22 year old attacking midfielder Xavier Vidal. Vidal was on the verge of breaking into the professional game while at Dulwich Hamlet, spending time on trial with Birmingham, Bolton, Brentford and Oxford. After failing to secure a deal in the Football League, he moved up to then National League Welling United. He made 28 appearances in all competitions for the Wings, scoring four times He also had a loan spell at National League South side Hemel Hempstead and most recently he has played Merstham. The Club are also pleased to announce the signing of 22 year old winger Roman Michael-Percil. Roman has previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, Billericay, Dulwich Hamlet and most recently Metropolitan Police and chipped in with 9 goals last season. The third signing is the highly-rated Jonathan Muleba. The 21-year old defender joined Chelsea at Under-14 level and made his Under-18 debut as a 15-year old during the 2011-12 season. He became a regular in the Under-18s' defence in his first year as a scholar in 2012-13. His displays earned him late-season recognition at Under-21 level, where he made his first appearance in April 2013. An Under-18 ever-present right up until the last game before Christmas in 2013-14, his impressive performances secured him the offer of a professional contract at Chelsea, but rejected the opportunity and joined Bournemouth on a two and a half year contract in January 2014. He received a call-up to the Democratic Republic of Congo's Under-20 national team during June 2013 and featured in a friendly against Chile. Spent time last season in the Enfield side that reached the Ryman League play-offs. Work underway for Iron's new manager Iron Manager Brad Quinton has continued his squad building with the completion of formalities with four more players. Joining the club are: - Samir Bihmoutine, who is a 23 year old dynamic attacking left back/wing back. Samir spent eleven years at Arsenal including a year as a full professional and then a full year at Bournemouth, from where he spent loan spells at both at Wealdstone in the National South and neighbours Hayes & Yeading. - Scott Shulton, who returns to the Club after playing a big part in our 2010/11 South championship-winning side. Now 27, Scott (pictured top left with Brad) is an aggressive ball playing midfielder who can score goals. After making 24 appearances for Braintree in 2010/11, Scott enjoyed spells at Bishop's Stortford, Hendon, Wingate & Finchley and Enfield. - George Craddock, who is a 22. A goal scoring midfielder, George (pictured top right) was a Northampton Scholar before signing a one-year professional contract with the Cobblers. Has recently spent time with National South side East Thurrock. - Marc Okoye, is 24-year old towering centre-half who has spent recent seasons with Ryman League Premier Division sides Merstham and Dulwich Hamlet. The eagle-eyed amongst you may have spotted Marc at the Club's Open Day last Sunday week! Brad explains his vision to packed clubhouse Braintree Town's new manager Brad Quinton met the fans again on Sunday. He aims to first stabilise the Club after its relegation from the Vanarama National League and ensure his completely new look first team squad can establish themselves at that level as part of his longer term strategy. "We are first laying the foundations and making sure the 18/19 man first team squad are 'all singing off the same hymn sheet' from the outset and know what are aim is which is to progress this club forward again," he explained to over 150 fans attending a Club open day on Sunday afternoon. "Like at my first club in management at Enfield, we have a great deal of work to do to start with and to get the right mix of the side and have everyone involved behind us," he continued. "That takes time but we will be working hard to get things right from the start and in readiness for the first league game. "Obviously our aim is to be in that top half of the table and at Christmas if were are in such a strong position then it would be fantastic to make the play-offs but there's a long, long way to go and a great deal of hard work before then," he added. "Initially it's all about consolidation." Quinton, who has brought his back room team from Enfield, confirmed he had already agreed terms in principle with 15/16 players to sign but would only reveal their identity once signatures had been completed in the coming days. With all of last season's relegation squad allowed to depart, except young home grown winger Joe Maybanks and goalkeeper Ben McNamara, Quinton is in the process of completely rebuilding a first team squad. "We will also involve both reserve and academy players along the way and they will mix as and when with the seniors so we can what potential there is with the younger players," he continued. "One thing is for certain though is that all our players will fit and the team well organised from the start of the season." He went on: "All the players will be constantly monitored in terms of individual fitness levels by my team using the modern techniques that are now part of the game at higher levels so there will be no excuses from them in terms of recovery time from any injuries. "We will be looking to constantly improve their performances and we will signing players who also able to play in different positions too," he explained. "We will also have our staff out scouting for players, looking at future opponents and doing a great deal of background work which is essential at our level of the game. "I am hoping the fans will get behind us and we in turn intend to play an attractive brand of football to both entertain and win which has always been the ethos at our Club," he added. The Club will be holding a trialists' day on June 22 to have a look at potential players and first team training starts on June 24 with the first pre-season home friendly against Southend United on July 15. The Vanarama National League South kicks off on Saturday, August 5th, with fixtures expected in early-July. Iron travel to Suffolk coast Iron have added a seventh fixture to their pre-season schedule. Brad Quinton's new-look Braintree side will visit Lowestoft Town's Crown Meadow Road ground on Saturday, 29th July, with kick-off at 3pm. Lowestoft play in the Ryman League Premier Division and finished eleventh of 24 last season. Braintree to visit Newmarket's new 3G Braintree Town have added a sixth fixture to their pre-season schedule. Iron will visit Newmarket Town's Cricket Field Road ground on Tuesday, 11th July, with kick-off at 7.45pm. Newmarket play in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division and have just completed their first season on a state of the art 3G pitch - the first full size with cork infill in the country. With four sides having 3G pitches in next season's Vanarama National League South next season, it gives our new look Iron squad an ideal opportunity to experience game time on an artificial surface. Iron to visit Long Melford The Club have arranged a fifth pre-season friendly. Iron Manager Brad Quinton will send the first team squad to visit Thurlow-Nunn League Premier Division side Long Melford at their Stoneylands Stadium on Saturday, 8th July, with kick-off at 3pm. Building for the future Braintree Town have appointed their new manager. Re-joining the Club is Brad Quinton, who will be working with another former Iron Andy Porter as his assistant manager. Brad will need no introduction to the Braintree faithful, as he spent twelve successful seasons at Cressing Road. Brad finished his Iron career as the Club's record appearance holder with an amazing 546 competitive appearances, during which he scored 69 goals! Brad's time as a player was synonymous with success and included: a Ryman League play-off place, a Ryman League championship, a Conference South play-off final and a Conference South championship! Andy Porter was also an important part of those successful Braintree sides, playing nearly 200 games for the club between 2003 and 2009! Brad and Andy spent the past three years managing Ryman Leaguers Enfield, where they guided the North London side to the Ryman League play-offs last season. Chairman Lee Harding was delighted with the appointment: "We've had some excellent applicants and I must thank all for their interest in our Club. But Brad is someone that has been instrumental in building our Club from the foot of the Ryman League to the top tier of non-League football from 2002 to 2013. But while I'm sure we will all welcome a true Iron back to our Club, his appointment is based entirely on merit. Were it not for coming across the same Dulwich side that beat us in the FA Trophy last season in his play-off match, Brad could well have taken his Enfield side into our division. His desire and enthusiasm for our Club is infectious and I sense that this move is something of a home-coming for him. But realism at the IronmongeryDirect Stadium dictates that we must not gloss over the challenges that lie ahead of us. The majority of last season's relegated side have been released and another re-building process will begin afresh. Fortunately Brad has been an integral part of many successful Braintree sides and knows exactly what is needed to turn our fortunes around after two disruptive campaigns. From the Board Room, Brad will receive our support and patience. We are not expecting, or looking for, a one-season wonder - but a return to the successful formula that brought consistent success to the Club over many years. We are all looking forward to the journey." Brad is keen to get work underway: "I'm really looking forward to coming back to a club where I played for most of my career. I'm really enjoying management and it feels right to come back to a club where I spent so many enjoyable years. Both Andy Porter and I are looking forward to seeing many familiar faces. We've got a lot of work ahead of all of us, but it's a league I know well, have won as a player, and I'm looking forward to the season. To the supporters, so many of whom have become close friends over the past 15 years, your support and patience will be vital as there's a long journey ahead of us. I'll be looking to bring in good quality young players that will be fit, hungry and 100% committed. Things won't always go our way, that's football, but everyone in the dressing room will be entirely focused on bringing success, so it's important that everyone gets behind us." Southend and Colchester to visit in July The Club arranged two more pre-season friendlies. Iron will welcome SkyBet League One neighbours Southend United to the IronmongeryDirect Stadium for a pre-season friendly on Saturday 15th July, with kick-off at 3pm. A week later, Iron will welcome SkyBet League Two neighbours Colchester United to the IronmongeryDirect Stadium for a pre-season friendly on Saturday 22nd July, with kick-off at 3pm. Reduced prices and discounts for season tickets The Club have agreed matchday and season ticket prices for next season. Adult matchday tickets will be reduced by 18% from an average of £17 last season to £14. Concessionary match day tickets for OAPs and students will be reduced by 17% from £12 to £10, while admission for under 16s will be simplified to cover all youngsters and will also be reduced by 17% from £6 to £5. All spectators can either sit in the seats or stand on the terraces. Season tickets for the 21 league matches will be split between those purchased on or before Sunday 4th June and those thereafter. For adults, season tickets purchased on or before Sunday 4th June will be offered a 19% discount, with Adults season tickets £240.00 (or just £11.42 a match) and concession season tickets £170.00 (or just £8.09 a match). Season tickets for under 18s will be just £21.00 (or £1 a match), with each ticket including a voucher for a replica first team shirt! After 4 June adults season tickets will increase to £265.00, concession season tickets £190.00 and under 18s will be just £42.00 (or £2 a match), with each ticket including a voucher for a replica first team shirt. Chairman Lee Harding commented: "We have balanced the impact of relegation to the South Division with the desire to provide our manager with a competitive playing budget. We've withdrawn the additional £1 surcharge for seating (unless extra-ordinary circumstances dictate the need for additional stewarding during the season) so supporters can sit or stand whereever they please next season! Season tickets for regular supporters offer four of next season's 21 matches FREE if they are purchased at the Club's Open Day on Sunday, 4th June, but still offer savings thereafter. Finally, our thanks go to Jerry Carter for his sponsorship of the special deal to allow all our younger season ticket holders (under 18) to have a free replica first team shirt - let's see a lot or orange around the IronmongeryDirectStadium next season!" Meet the management on Sunday 4th June Braintree Town Football Club will be hosting an Open Day on Sunday, 4th June, from 2pm. The day will provide all supporters an opportunity to meet our new management team and also the opportunity to purchase the discounted season tickets for the 2017/18 season. More news on our Open Day when we have it!
Pre-Season 17-18 | Saturday 8 July, 3pm Long Melford (Away) Tuesday 11 July, 7.45pm Newmarket Town (Away) Saturday 15 July, 3pm SOUTHEND UNITED (HOME) Tuesday 18 July, 7.45pm Bury Town (Away) Saturday 22 July, 3pm COLCHESTER UNITED (HOME) Tuesday 25 July, 7.45pm BARNET (HOME) Saturday 29 July, 3pm Lowestoft Towm (Away) HOW WE FINISHED      |