BRICKIES' BOSS IS SO PROUD OF HIS TEAM - AND OF OUR FANS!

HIS Brickies may have made a frustrating one-goal exit from the FA Vase in Saturday’s second round proper FA Vase tie at Downton, but manager Jamie Kay said afterwards that through the disappointment of that oh, so close result, there is a huge amount of pride, both in his team, and the fans.

Having eliminated Baffins Milton Rovers in the preliminary round, and Brockenhurst after that, and then go within a whisker of adding a third "higher scalp", the boss had plenty to be proud of. In his video interview with our Social Media Editor, Ailani Verrall, (https://x.com/NewMiltonTown/status/2116625264499208403), he said: ”You have to look where we’ve come from. If I’d said at the start of the season we would get to this stage of the FA Vase, past two Step 5 teams, and both of them high-flyers - and then faced with another one, and give it such a really good go, well I couldn’t be prouder.

“On the face of it, it was a classic game of cup football, end to end. I thought we created more chances and looked more comfortable for large parts of the game, but it came down to one moment and that’s cup football. It doesn’t matter how you win or lose it in the cup, it’s all about getting through to the next round - and good luck to Downton for doing that.

“Their journey continues, and ours has come to an end, but I think at the start of the season if we’d had this fixture we might have been a bit timid about it. However, because of how well the boys have gelled and what we’ve done, and the work that’s gone into the management team and all the detail, the culture, and the environment we’ve created - we’ve made New Milton a good place to be. These moments come with that. I’m proud of how far we’ve come - our FA Vase journey may have come to a end this year but we’ve always got another go next year.”

Jamie also had a word for the fans, two coach loads of whom made the trip to Downton. He added: “Not just today, our following has been terrific good all season. Part of that comes from winning, but also creating the culture and environment not just for the players and staff but for everyone who supports and follows the club. One journey has come to an end today, but that’s OK, it’s not going to be a defining moment in the season as such. There’s still plenty more to play for in Cups and, of course, the league.

“Yes, it’s disappointing to lose today, but we can got out with our heads held high - I’m really proud of the club, the team and our fans.”

Club chairman Gary Squires stressed how proud he was about everything on the day - apart from the result! He also had praise not only for the team, but also for the supporters. He said: “Personally I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who travelled to Downton yesterday. Your support your support was amazing - and thank you Nina and Kellie for organising the coaches.

"As for Jamie the staff and players - what a fantastic performance. It really shows how far we have come as a club going toe to toe with a high flying Premier League club. I have to say that in my opinion the better side lost.

“But we fight on. Keep up the great work both within the club, and with our supporters, and let’s try and get where we belong - back in the Wessex Premier League.” Up the Brickies!

Gary, Proud Chairman NMTFC