Jamie Bradbury to stand down

First-team manager Jamie Bradbury is stepping down after five years in the role.

The decision was made by Jamie a few weeks ago. He will take charge for the final time at the last match of the season at home to Walsham on Saturday.

Jamie joined the club in 2016 as part of Jules Mumford’s coaching team. He took up the manager’s position the following summer after Jules stepped down.

Although the current season will end with a bottom two finish, the last five years were a successful period for the club.

In Jamie’s first year in charge, he guided the Villagers to a comfortable mid-table finish in the Thurlow Nunn Premier, picking up 59 points.

The following year saw a dramatic relegation battle, culminating in a great escape by winning the last three matches of the season to stay up.

In May 2019 Jamie brought a trophy back to Stoneylands when he guided the team to League Cup glory for the first time in our long history.

The following season there was a club record seven-match winning run. The Villagers were pushing for a top six finish before Covid brought an abrupt end to the campaign.

There were six FA Cup wins under Jamie’s management, bringing in important prize money and giving us all some great memories.

Above all, Jamie has always represented the club with class and integrity.

The following is a statement from Long Melford FC Chairman, Geoff Thomas:

Jamie’s input into this club has been immense. Not only has he managed the first team but he has also been influential, supportive and enthusiastic in all aspects of Long Melford FC. This season has been a tough season for him and Steve Chisholm, his assistant, but they have battled on bravely through a long list of injuries and with players and themselves catching Covid.

They both have been supported really well by David Hennessey, the reserve team manager and Nathan Bartlett, the under 18`s manager.

Having worked with Jamie over many years before I joined LMFC I know that Jamie`s attention to detail is exceptional and he has improved many young players and helped senior players to perform to their best. Football management at level 5 takes up a lot of time and a lot of effort and that inevitably eats into time with the family.

We fully understand Jamie’s reasons for taking a break from management and we will certainly miss him on matchdays, of that there is no doubt. I believe he is the longest serving manager in the Thurlow Nunn Premier (5 years) at this present time and it is solely his decision to take a break.

We at LMFC, the trustees and the football committee, would like to take this opportunity of thanking him for all his efforts both on and off the field and for all the ideas he has brought to the club to help push the club forward and become more professional in its outlook. Under Jamie’s stewardship the team has undoubtedly progressed and we at LMFC are proud to call him our friend and colleague.

We wish him and his family much joy and every success in the future and hope that he will still be popping into Stoneylands from time to time.

The following is a statement from Jamie:

It’s been a brilliant six years at the club, five as manager, and I have learned so much about the game at this level and grown as a manager and as a coach. It’s a decision I made a few weeks ago and was hoping it would have a better ending and we’d finish outside the bottom two. But sadly, it wasn’t to be.

We played really well in many games this season, but just were not able to turn those performances into points enough, or grind out gritty wins, and that has ultimately cost us. But while it isn’t the way I’d like to be leaving the club, I have enjoyed some amazing times at Stoneylands, not least winning the League Cup, which is one of my proudest moments in football.

I’d like to thank Jules Mumford for bringing me into the fold back in 2016, and then to Richard Powell and Alf Woodhouse for showing their faith in offering me the manager’s job when Jules departed. Thanks also to our new chairman Geoff Thomas, who has continued his unwavering support, and everyone else on the committee and behind the scenes at Stoneylands for everything they do to enable us to play football matches. Richard Kemp, club president, has also given me a lot of help during my time, for which I am extremely grateful.

To all the coaches and backroom team who have worked alongside me here, it’s been a real pleasure, and of course to the players who I love to bits and wish I was able to lead them to safety this year.

And finally, to my right-hand man, Steve Chisholm, who has become a great friend in the time we have spent together in the dugout and on the phone.

Long Melford FC is a special club and will always be important to me, and I believe with what is going on at Stoneylands it can grow to enjoy a bright future. Whoever comes in as the next manager will have an exciting project on their hands.

For me, though, we focus on our final game of the season at home on Saturday against Walsham Le Willows, then it’s time for a break to reflect on what has been an unforgettable six years at Long Melford FC.

 

• Naturally the club will be looking to appoint a new first-team manager for next season. If you would like to apply for the position please contact chairman Geoff Thomas on 07724 131441 or club@longmelfordfc.com