Bracknell Town held a question and answer session with chairman Kayne Steinborn-Busse, first team manager Bobby Willkinson and assistant manager Mike Percival.
Around 40 fans joined the online Zoom meeting, including Football in Berkshire, and were able to pose a variety of questions to the men in charge at Larges Lane.
As well as discussing the levels and quality of the management teams facial hair during the lockdown, there were some serious points discussed, which we’ve broken down below:
- Overseas players: Academy players all got home safe and well. Last one arrived home on 23rd March.
- First team: Fitness plans in place for first team players. Mike revealed Seb Bowerman was currently leading the race in a 5k challenge.
- End of Season: Club didn’t appeal the end of the season as some clubs have. Kayne said he felt it would have lacked class to appeal the decision when you look at everything that is going on. Bracknell in fact voted to null and void the season.
- 2020/21 preparation: Bobby said he is already planning for the season ahead. He was thanked by several fans for calling round supporters on Good Friday. He said getting the squad together for a new season was a challenge but one he was enjoying.
- Signings: Kayne said the club would be making no football announcements until the start of the next season. Bigger things in the world right now.
- Youth team setup: Too early to make any decisions on youth leagues and teams for next season. Need clarity on when the leagues will reconvene and at the moment anything was subject to change. Club has infrastructure problems due to Covid 19 at the moment. Were due to have five pitches for youth teams but have missed the window for seeding meaning they will have just one. It will be a big logistical challenge for the club. However, work is starting on the youth training site at Ranelagh on Monday and astroturf laid in May.
- Awards: Bobby said any first team awards would wait until the club was able to get back together.
- Future of the ground: Kayne said that following the last inspection, they were told that Larges Lane would never have the standing capacity to compete above the current level of step 4 – traditionally the clubs level of competition. He said there were options on the table and there was a contingency plan in place should promotion come, with an announcement in the future. He said the club were looking at five to ten years down the line. Ultimately he wants the club to be aiming toward the Football League. Larges Lane as it is already doesn’t cope with bigger crowds for a variety of reasons including power requirements, residents and Environmental Health limiting PA levels. Long term the clubs future lies away from Larges Lane. It needs more land.
Listen to Bobby Wilkinson talk Bracknell Town on the Berkshire Football Stories podcast below, or listen on your favourite podcast app here:
