Braintree Town Matchday Programme

FOREST GREEN V BRAINTREE

LIam 10 Minutes with Sercombe

Winning promotions, taking inspiration from a former teammate for his goal at Boston and who he’d rather not get deserted on an island with, get to know our hardworking midfielder.

Best moment in football so far?

‘I don’t really have many so I would have to go with the promotions I’ve earned.”

Best player you’ve played with or against?

“Best player I’ve played with would have to be John Lundstram. When I was Oxford [United] with him we had a really good click, and we knew what we wanted from each other.”

Ground you’ve played at with the best atmosphere?

“I’d have to say Wembley.”

Best goal you’ve seen live?

“Because it was last season, I’ll go with Alfie May’s goal at Peterborough away.”

Hobbies outside of football?

“If I’m not playing football I guess I’m just with my family and playing with kids.”

One thing you couldn’t live without?

“It would have to be my family.”

What job would you have if you weren’t a footballer?

“I think I’d probably be a postie actually.”

Favourite TV series or film?

“I don’t really watch much so I couldn’t really tell you, but I’ll go with The inbetweeners.”

Favourite place you’ve visited?

“That would have to be the Maldives which was for my honeymoon. It was amazing.”

Teammates you’d least like to be stuck on an island with?

“How many can I choose! I’d say [Ben] Tozer just because he would annoy the hell out of me.”

Best friends at FGR?

“[Sean] Longy and Toze.”

10

Sercombe

WeAre FGR

Opposition The

Forest Green Rovers welcome Braintree Town to The New Lawn for the first time since 2017 with our last meeting with the Iron ending 1-1 during Rovers last National League season.

Charlie Clough’s goal on the hour mark earned Rovers that point after Michael Cheek had put the Iron ahead earlier in the game.

Since our encounter, the Iron have bounced between the National League and the National League South spending the last five years in the South division.

The Iron ended that five-year stay in the National League South with an exhilarating play-off final win over Worthing last season defeating the Rebels 4-3 to reach the National League.

Manager Angelo Harrop guided the Iron back to the National League for the first time since 2018 in just his second season with the club earning him a new contract.

But Harrop’s maiden season managing in

the National League hasn’t got off to the smoothest of starts winning just three of their first 13 games which sees the Iron occupy 20th in the league.

Form has looked up for Harrop’s side who have suffered just one defeat in their last four games in all competitions.

They earned a place in Round One of the FA Cup with victory over Bishops Stortford last weekend following impressive wins over Altrincham and FC Halifax Town, too.

Goals have been hard to come by for the Iron who have only found the net eight times in the league with three of those coming from summer signing Kyrell Lisbie.

The 20-year-old made a name for himself during the 23/24 FA Cup when he scored the only goal in Cray Valley PM’s historic trip to Charlton Athletic which caught the eye Harrop who snapped up the attacker from the Isthmian Premier Division side.

Harrop also managed to strengthen with some League Two quality swooping in on Colchester United trio Chay Cooper, John Akinde and defender, Frankie Terry, the nephew of Chelsea legend, John Terry. Freeman was added to the defence.

Established

The club was formed in 1898 as Manor Works FC - a works team of the Crittall Window Company - suppliers to the Titanic and once the leading window makers in the UK.

The club's nickname of 'The Iron' also comes from this source (reflecting the company's iron window frames).

Crest

The crest of Braintree Town FC was designed in October 1987 by Paul Claydon and Jon Weaver, during a rain storm while on holiday.

Stadium

Cressing Road Ground has an imposing Main Stand on one side and has 553 seats and runs for around half the length of the pitch with areas of terracing either side.

Last time we played Briantree in 2017

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