First interview with new Bracknell Town manager Geoff Warner

Geoff Warner. Photo: Richard Claypole.
Geoff Warner. Photo: Richard Claypole.

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Bracknell Town have moved quickly to appoint the clubs Head of Coaching, Geoff Warner to the role of first team manager after Carl Davies decision to step down.

As you’ll know by now, Davies will remain as a player at Larges Lane but Warner – who will be known as First Team Head Coach will manage the team on a day to day basis.

Football in Bracknell spoke to Warner on Thursday morning about the change and what it would mean for him, as well as the situation with a couple of Robins players.

How does being named manager work for you? You were head of coaching.

It’s good, obviously I was happy with the role I had initially when I went back with Carl in March time but it just seemed the best thing to do to keep continuity and stability with the players when I decided to take to the role.

Related: Geoff Warner is the new Bracknell Town manager

You’ve managed at Beaconsfield SYCOB (now Town)

Yeah I did that for a year when Naz Bashir [from FAB Academy] was there which was enjoyable and then I got a call three seasons ago from Mark Tallentie to come and do some coaching at Bracknell which appealed to me because I’m a Bracknell lad.

I was brought up in Bracknell, my dad played for Bracknell and I played when I was younger so it just seemed a good opportunity at the time and it’s worked out quite well over the last three seasons.

It’s coincided with quite a successful period hasn’t it?

Yeah we’ve done well the last three years it’s been good!

Bracknell Town captain Dave Hancock and manager Carl Davies lift the Hellenic League Challenge Cup. Photo: Neil Graham.
Bracknell Town captain Dave Hancock and manager Carl Davies lift the Hellenic League Challenge Cup. Photo: Neil Graham.

Have you managed elsewhere?

I worked at Crystal Palace for 10 years, I ran the centre at Bracknell and I was senior assistant academy manager at Reading for 10 years until 2010 and then I spent some time at Fulham and Aldershot Town and then for 6 years at Bisham Abbey with the FAB Academy.

I’ve been full time in football since 1990!

You can’t really talk about Bracknell’s results in anything other than a positive way over the last few seasons, but they’ve not quite hit the mark over the last couple of weeks?

I think we started off this season really well. Our objective was for this season was to reach the play offs and we’re working on the theory you are going to need two point per game to get to the play-offs so at the moment we’re 14 games and 28 points so we’re on schedule.

At the moment it’s a difficult period, obviously the Reading game on Tuesday night and then Hayes & Yeading United on Saturday and Marlow the week after with a league cup game in between so it’s a tough period, probably of the season.

Joe Grant playing for Bracknell Town against Reading FC. Photo: Neil Graham.
Joe Grant playing for Bracknell Town against Reading FC. Photo: Neil Graham.

You couldn’t pick a tougher game to start with Hayes on Saturday could you?

No! I’m looking forward to it though. Although we didn’t get the result on Tuesday it was a really good performance against Reading.

I thought we were a bit unfortunate if I am honest. We played really well in the first half last week at Tooting, we were 2-0 up at half time and then let things slip away from us in the second half.

I’m just really looking forward to it, it should be a good team, the supporters at Bracknell ever since I have been there have been brilliant and hopefully we’ll get a few in on Saturday.

Can I ask about a couple of players? Dave Hancock is away anyway but is he out for a little while?

Dave came off after 15/20 minutes on Tuesday but he wouldn’t have played Saturday anyway.

Any concerns with Jamie McClurg who was also substituted?

No, that was a planned move, we wanted to change things around and no problem with Jamie. Jamie was happy with what we did, he’s all fine.

Where does Sean Moore come in to the thinking?

Sean Moore celebrates scoring for Binfield FC in the Floodlit Cup Semi Final. Photo: Neil Graham.
Sean Moore celebrates scoring for Binfield FC in the Floodlit Cup Semi Final. Photo: Neil Graham.

Sean trained with us a couple of weeks ago and did really well. He came on as a sub and did well but he was cup tied for Tuesday night.

We like him as a player and is one we feel we can develop. Roger Herridge did a good job with him at Binfield and we think he’ll have a big future at Bracknell.

Is Chris Grace staying at Binfield?

He is yes.

What about the players out on loan? Dan Roberts at Windsor and Ellis Day at Wokingham & Emmbrook.

Dan is on a season loan at Windsor so there won’t be any movement there but Ellis trains with the Bracknell first team every week and we think he’s a young player that will have a good future at Bracknell. We’re just feeding him in gently if you like.

He’s someone we really hope we can develop in to a good player.

Main image: Geoff Warner by Richard Claypole.

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