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Bailey Gandolfi praises 'unbelievable work' going on at F.C Bracknell ahead of Slough Town Junior Cup Final
- Rob Stevens
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
F.C Bracknell joint-manager Bailey Gandolfi believes his stars have the chance to create a legacy at the football club ahead of the Slough Town Junior Cup Final next week.
Bracknell are in their debut season in the East Berkshire League and Gandolfi has heaped praise on the ‘unbelievable work’ going on at the football club that has seen them already secure promotion to the Premier Division for next year.
The boss explained: “Our season is going very well at this moment in time. We’re challenging for the league (Division One) title and in a Cup Final. I think we’ve achieved our goals in our very first season having already secured promotion.
“We’re fighting on all fronts and the boys are doing unbelievable work around the football club. I don’t think we can under-achieve now as we’ve achieved so much already in the season. The boys will give everything for me and for the badge to win this great trophy for F.C. Bracknell.”
The Junior Cup has not been without controversy this season as Slough Heating Laurencians F.C Reserves were removed having been found to have played two ineligible players in a Semi Finals match. Having initially lost that tie on penalties, Bracknell have become the beneficiaries and reinstated into the competition, and Bailey is keen for his players to keep their concentration on the challenge that is ahead of them.
He said: “My lads have a top mentality. We’ve kept our heads down and played football. This has given the boys a massive chance to create some history and a legacy for the football club.
“Our games in the competition have been challenging, playing two great teams in Real Saracens and Slough Heating Laurencians. We went to extra time in both matches, but the boys have dug in and I think that the way we have played football deserves to make a final. I hope that now we can go all the way and win the cup.”
F.C Bracknell will be a part of history this season as the two Slough Town Cup competition Finals return to the heart of Slough for the first time in more than a quarter of a century: The Finals being played at Arbour Park Stadium, the home of Slough Town F.C.
Bracknell will take on Hype Train F.C in the Junior Cup Final next Wednesday (7.30pm) in what promises to be an entertaining match following the 11-goals thriller between the two teams on the opening day of the season. The Train took all three points with a 6-5 win back in August, but Gandolfi and his young stars gained a manner of revenge with an 8-1 thrashing in the first round of the League Cup competition in November.
Bailey commented: “It means so much to the boys to play at a great stadium. You will not get much better than playing in a Cup Final at Arbour Park. Our boys now know the stadium well having already played in a (East Berkshire League) Showcase Match this season.
“It would mean the world to me if we could win the Junior Cup, to be one of the youngest player-managers to win the cup, aged 20. It would be an incredible achievement for me personally.
“To have the Slough Town Cup Finals played at the heart of the community in Slough is fantastic, it feels right. It’s an historic moment, and to be a part of it only makes me and the players feel proud.”
Looking at the opposition, the Bracknell boss predicted: “Hype Train will be a massive threat to us. They beat us 6-5 early in the season and are a good team, they’ve got some very talented footballers. The Final will be a great spectacle for supporters of both teams.”
Bailey added: “From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the support everyone has given me and the team this season; Calvin Granger (Club Captain and Joint-Manager) and Charlie Craske (Vice Captain) and I really appreciate the support. We won’t let you down and hope to lift the cup and create some history for F.C Bracknell.
“We hope to see you all there in the famous blue and white tops. And, to the local football community, I welcome you to watch F.C. Bracknell and hope that we can put on a show for you all to enjoy.”