Bradley: I am not to blame for demise of Brakes’ youth team

In happier times: former Leamington youth team manager Darren Bradley, far left, at the presentation of their new shirt, with Jim Scott, fourth from the right, and Bradleys assistant Henry Jordan, far right.

A statement on Leamington’s website blamed the departure of Bradley and his management team and the subsequent loss of a large proportion of the players for the club’s decision to pull out of the Midland Youth Football League (MYFL) next season.

It goes on to say that when setting up the youth team, there was an acceptance by all parties that the team would have two years in the MYFL.

Brakes chairman Jim Scott said: “We have fully considered all our options but believe there is insufficient time to find a suitable replacement management team and players at such short notice and very sadly will have to take a year out from youth team football.”

However, Bradley disputed the claims, saying Scott knew of their exits in April, while the existing youth team players were only made aware of his decision to join Racing Club Warwick on Monday.

“What Jim Scott has put out is a fabrication,” said Bradley who, after leading Brakes’ youth team to League Cup success last season, will be taking over Racers’ reserve side.

“A two-year deal never came about, it was only ever for one year and we’d review it from there.

“At the end of April, Jim shook mine and [assistant] Henry Jordan’s hands and said thanks for what you’ve done - the parting was all amicable.

“They’ve had two months to replace us, so to make the management team a scapegoat makes me so angry.

“There’s Rich Holt’s under-16 team from last year to come through and our boys were still there on Monday.

“At no time have we said the players can’t play for Leamington.

“So I’m not standing by and letting them say we’re the bad guys when they’ve pulled the plug on the youth team.”

Both parties agree that the progression of youth team players was a major bone of contention, with a desire for reserve team football cited as one of the reasons behind the management team’s alleged defection.

Bradley admits he has joined Racing Club because there is a pathway for young players to develop but said that was exactly the kind of structure he was pushing for at the New Windmill.

“At the moment the door is shut on players at Leamington after youth team football.

“My directive was to get local talent and nurture it.

“But there has to be an opportunity for the players to progress to Saturday afternoon football and there wasn’t that at Leamington.

“Racing Club have given us that opportunity.”