Summer Dreaming But Brad Knows Iron Must Be Tough

Even those with modest ambitions can have hope. Call it the Leicester City factor, call it summer dreaming.

But Braintree Town manager Bradley Quinton isn't getting carried away by the mid-June clouds hovering over Essex.

“Even if you said to me that we would finish one point above relegation now then I would probably bite your hand off because that is me being me!” he said.

“It is key to focus. Some teams might come to Braintree next season and expect an easy game, well they will get a shock because my players work hard and put in 110 per cent in every game. If they do that then they will get a lot of respect from me, for that.”

Despite Quinton talking about his realistic aims, he does not see any reason why he and Braintree Town cannot fight for promotion to the Football League in the not too distant future.

He has praised Danny and Nicky Cowley for the job they did, when the Essex side finished in the highest position in the club’s existence.

But to get Braintree into the EFL it is sort of achievement that the former player would relish as a manager.

“Our ambition is to go even higher, but there is no rush, the future is bright But, we are part time and therefore have to stay within our means - we know it’s not a case of running before we can walk.

“It is important that we rebuild collectively. It is going to be difficult as we will be underdogs, but we will try and have a good season as I am sure we will.”

Going into next season in the Vanarama National League, where it is anyone’s game, the 38-year old is very much looking forward to the challenge.

But on new signings have been made and they are returning to pre-season soon.

Revealing that it will be a small squad with the same ambition, he says that the conversations with players are well underway.

“We will have a tight closely-knit squad next year and everyone will be striving for the same goal and that is to have a good season,” he added.

“Even the players that we have lined up for trials is very exciting but again we need to look at what we have got and be realistic about things.

“I have had a break away on holiday, and since I have arrived back at Luton airport, both of my phones have not stopped so it is all good and something that I am looking forward to doing.

“We have been on the phone and we are meeting again this week, it is ongoing with current squad and players that we are looking to bring in as well.

“I have got a lot of contacts around the Braintree area, and there could be opportunities to bring players in on loan, if and when we feel that is needed.”

Two people who The Iron supporters will be very familiar of are the Cowleys, who achieved the highest finish of the club’s history, making third spot in the National League.

They then went on to be appointed of Lincoln City who they both managed promotion to the EFL, and a season later the Imps were finalists in the EFL Trophy under their management.

Quinton was very quick to praise his friends and believes that he is of a similar manager to Danny from the touchline.

“My ambition is to be with the Danny and Nickys,” he adds. “The type of football that I coach is certainly like the Cowleys, and I work really hard on that.

“Danny and I have spoken all season and we talk on a regular basis. We do encourage each other and praise each other.

“You could probably compliment us both on how we speak to players, rather than ranting and shouting as some managers do.”

“But technically it is something that we work on, and I have got good coaching staff around me.

“If I can have a good a manager career as Danny and Nicky have had then I will be over the moon.

“The end of the season feels just like yesterday, but in reality, we are less than two months away from the start of the new campaign. With friendlies against the likes of Ipswich Town and Colchester United, Quinton believes that it will be good to give his team a testing contest.

“I can’t wait to get back onto the training field and start working even harder for the season ahead,” he said.