Reflections on a Challenging Season

We asked several Brakes Trust Board members to reflect on what, overall, has been a disappointing season but there have also been some good moments:

Alan Turrell, Member and Club Liaison Officer:

The loss of the prestigious National League status matters to me but unfortunately it has grown and we haven’t been able to keep up. I’ve lost count of the number of matches in which we took the lead but lost or were facing opponents around us in the table, which we thought we could win but didn’t. As they say it’s the hope that kills you! There were however some great away trips many to grounds new to me, where, as well as the football, some good CAMRA pubs were discovered, such as Bridlington (for Scarborough), Macclesfield, Radcliffe (with a stopover at Bolton), Marine (which has become a favourite) and Bedford.

A new ground ticked off.

Benn Lane:

It’s been an incredibly tough season for a number of reasons. That said, we should be proud of our contribution, and hats off to everyone who keeps this club moving week in, week out, up and down the country. On the pitch, special credit must go to the senior players for their leadership in difficult circumstances: Clarkey, Theo and Walks, to name just a few. We’ve also said goodbye to some fantastic people none more so than Paul Holleran and his assistant Martin Naylor. We also bid farewell to an unsung hero and Brakes legend in Kate Fisher. I wish them all the very best. I’m really excited about the Scott Easterlow era. We’ve already seen glimpses of what we can expect and I’ll be right behind Scotty, Gary and Callum 100%. There’s plenty happening behind the scenes and a lot to look forward to next season. I can’t wait.

Benn and friends still finding something to celebrate!

Nick Rogers:

Despite the disappointment of relegation, this season has still had some heartening outcomes. It’s been great to see the growing numbers of the younger generation coming to games in spite of the results. It’s also gratifying to see the influx of new volunteers continue to bring new impetus to the Brakes Trust – maintaining its role as the primary independent organisation for Brakes supporters. The banter between friends, acquaintances and complete strangers is what makes following football at our level such fun – despite having to resort to gallows humour at times! For the good of the game, I hope we can continue to resist the increasing trickle-down from higher levels of rampant commercialism, sports-washing, asset-stripping and ego trippers. There’s something special about our club, on and off the pitch, and I hope that it continues its carefully ambitious path for many seasons to come.

Nick explains the virtues of the Brakes to the “Proper Football” Team.

Nigel Murray:

I look back at the season with a mixture of emotions.  There was clearly the disappointment of relegation and saying goodbye to the “Gaffer” Paul Hollerhan,, a club legend in my view. However, we have already seen the arrival of Scotty Easterlow who I am sure will take the team in the right direction as we return to the SLP on a temporary basis!   It is going to be a tough ask given the quality of teams in that league but, for sure, we will give Scotty our 100% support. Off the pitch, we are going in the right direction, attracting a younger generation of Brakes fans who will be the future of the club.  Brakes Trust also continues to thrive with a band of some new and experienced members.

COYBrakes!!