Angelo Harrop wants Braintree Town to keep believing

Seven-up Iron chief makes bid for redemption

By Matt Badcock

Angelo Harrop says the main aim at Braintree Town this season was to stay in the league – but now they’ve put themselves in the promotion conversation he’d love to get out of it!

Victory at Bath City on Tuesday night made it seven National League South wins on the bounce for the Iron and sent them fourth in the table.

Harrop guided the Essex outfit to the play-offs in his first season at the helm last term where they were ultimately beaten by Worthing.

And while staying up was the first goal, Harrop wants his side to aim big as the season hits its final straight.

“I am not going to downplay it because, we know from last year, every game now is crucial for us,” Harrop told The NLP. “There are so many good teams around us who can go on a good run.

“If we can make the play-offs again – that would be a great achievement. I thought we were really unlucky last year against Worthing. I actually felt we deserved something out of the game.

“That bit of experience now we’ve had – especially for myself as well – if we can get in the play-offs we will be that little bit more confident because we’ve been there.

“But there’s 13 games left. Every game is tough. We’ve just got to try and pick up those points.

“Tuesday was a massive win against a very good Bath side. That is a tough place to go. They’ve been doing really well. They’ve got a good manager and good players.

“Listen, we could have been three or four down at half-time. But we were excellent in the second half.”

Last year’s success saw a number of players move on in the summer and the former AFC Sudbury joint-boss had to rebuild again.

But the 37-year-old believes ensuring they are as professional as they can be is reaping rewards. “I’ve always said it, the way I manage Braintree is the way I’d manage Manchester United,” Harrop said. “I try to be as professional as I can, give the players everything I can in my power because I don’t want them to have any excuses.

“When it comes to coaching and sessions

I feel that’s something I can give them. We try our best to keep things simple. Anyone who watches us will say they really work hard. A lot has gone in behind the scenes. We don’t have time off. We’re always training and doing that little bit extra. Hopefully it will pay off this season for us. We’ve still got a long way to go.”

Harrop is determined to improve himself too. He’s spent time observing Andy Woodman at Bromley and has been invited into Colchester United to see former Braintree duo Danny and Nicky Cowley in action.

“They’re good guys, have come from the same background as me and they’re quite low key in the fact they’ve had amazing careers in such a short time. It will be good to see how they work.

“Andy Woodman at Bromley is a good family friend and they are doing well. We’ve got great contacts at Ipswich and it’s been great to see them too.

“For me it’s about doing a good job at Braintree. My aim is to be a League manager. Our chairman knows that. I want to keep progressing.”