Harrison Bayley on his switch to Bracknell Town and what he made of his debut

New Bracknell Town midfielder Harrison Bayley with manager Carl Davies. Photo: Bracknell Town FC.
New Bracknell Town midfielder Harrison Bayley with manager Carl Davies. Photo: Bracknell Town FC.

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Harrison Bayley made his Bracknell Town debut on Saturday in the 2-1 away win at Molesey having joined the Robins in midweek from Thatcham Town.

Bayley has previously played for Reading, Hayes & Yeading, Binfield and Highmoor Ibis where he was captain and won the Hellenic League Premier Division and FA Vase last season with Thatcham.

Football in Bracknell caught up with the midfielder on Saturday evening following his new sides second Bostik League game of the season. A full round up of Saturday’s results is here.

First start today, how do you think you got on?

As it was my first match with the boys as I came in late and hadn’t had the chance to play in pre season, I had to gel quick and get used to playing with the lads pretty quick so first half was about trying to get a rhythm with the style of play here and the players around me as the game grew I felt more comfortable. The boys where different gear and the score could and should have been more, great to see the character and also the chances we are creating as a team, all in all good day winning away as well and now 6 points on the board.

You obviously had a tough decision when you decided to leave Thatcham. What made bracknell the right choice?

Firstly Thatcham are a great club and went to great efforts to keep me there. Which I’m grateful for. The reason Bracknell was the right choice for me is it ticked the boxes that were key for myself and around work and family as it allowed more balance this year.

It wasn’t until I actually saw the facilities and drive the club have to push on again this year with a strong team. It also helped having a close friend of mine Liam Ferdinand also here. I had other options but as people have told me ‘I took the risk when I could have gone safety’, coming into a team that are very strong in my department (central midfield). There’s competition all over the team which will only improve everyone’s game and that’s a challenge I was also willing to take on.

You’ve played against Bracknell a few times the last few seasons, who were you looking forward to being on the same side as?

Looking at the last couple seasons I was looking forward to playing along side Ken’s [Kensley Maloney] and [Jamie] McClurg in the middle of the park as well as all the other lads defensive and attackers alike. As you can understand I don’t wanna stitch myself up and miss any other names out  but along side the new boys as well I am very much looking forward to working along aside everyone at the club and coaches, as I’ve worked with Geoff [Warner] during my time at Reading so was good to see an old face again.

Final question, how far do you think Bracknell can go this season from what you’ve seen?

I think with what I’ve seen here Bracknell will be up there this year and have definitely not just come to make the numbers up in this league.

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