by David Harrison

Corinthian-Casuals are very sorry to announce that manager, James Bracken is leaving after seven seasons in charge – certainly the most successful period the club has enjoyed since the two founding fathers, the Corinthians and the Casuals came together in 1939.

In his seven seasons James Bracken has taken the club, from languishing in the lower levels of the Isthmian League, through play-offs, up a division to the Isthmian Premier in Step 3 where in the season just ended Casuals finished a comfortable 14th.

“The Club is greatly saddened by the departure of Manager James,” writes Chairman Brian Vandervilt. “However he leaves with our heartfelt appreciation of his success with us. He is a man of integrity ,enormous work ethic and man management. He has all the attributes that makes us certain he will succeed at a much higher level. We extend to him our greatest respect”
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James came to the club in season 2015/16 after multiple highly successful seasons with Sutton Utd steering their reserves to three consecutive Suburban Premier League titles. He picked up no less seven trophies in 2015 with Sutton as well as winning the Ryman Youth ‘Champion of Champions’ in 2016.

During those years James was named by the Non League Paper as one of the best young managers in the country. At Corinthian-Casuals James’ younger brother Danny has been a major ally. Danny had already been at the club for three season when James joined. As first team goalkeeper and club captain he has made over 500 appearances.

James is now 38, Danny seven years younger. Danny recalls how James was a gifted player, “better than me”. As youngsters both had been on the books of West Ham, James from the age of 10 for three years as a promising right winger. He went on to Wycombe Wanderers for five years as a sweeper then played right wing back at Woking.

But James injured his back working for his father’s building firm and started coaching at Sutton United, then in the Conference South, and then went on to Corinthian-Casuals.

Danny assessed his brother’s managerial qualities. “His knowledge of the game is outstanding, what each individual and the collective team should do. He’d talk to his assistant Dan Pringle all day on a Friday about the team make-up and tactics. Dedication is the word.”

In September 2017 James was named Mitre Manager of the Month for an unbeaten four week run while Danny was awarded the Bostik League South Safe Hands Award after Corinthian-Casuals conceded only a single goal in four league fixtures. That is the measure of their joint contribution.

Micky Stewart knows Corinthian-Casuals better than most. He was a First Team player, won an amateur international cap, turned professional with Charlton Athletic, was First Team Manager for 5 seasons in the 70s and is now Hon Club President. All that alongside his professional cricket career, Captain of Surrey for 15 seasons, Test match player and Manager of both Surrey and England.

“James Bracken put Corinthian-Casuals F.C on the map,” says Stewart, “through sheer hard work and hundreds of hours of graft to take them into the Isthmian Premier. He created an atmosphere of enjoyment in training and in matches that many players have shared – and so stay with the club. He has done this while always aware that when achieving success as an amateur club he’s going to lose key players. What he and his staff have done over these seven years is remarkable”
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James wrote his own farewell message on the club website: “Corinthian-Casuals is a special club. You learn that very quickly when you’re there and understand what it represents. It’s unique and very much a collective. For that reason, I say thank you to Corinthian-Casuals. For the opportunity. For the support. For the experience. For everything”

We are now accepting applications for the position of First Team Manager.

​Please send your CV and supporting information to secretary@ccfcltd.co.uk by 5pm Friday 20th May 2022. ​

With another exciting season ahead, Corinthian-Casuals are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help run our wonderful, historic club to the best standard we can.

Not only will you be joining a wonderful team of fabulous people, helping a big part of our community, but all of our volunteers can expect free entry to all home games, and some away matches where available. Also free boardroom drinks and post-match food as well as other perks where possible. Some roles will also offer you a place on our Management Committee and a potential for commission-based compensation.
 
Matchday Secretary
To assist in the matchday administration for the club. The responsibilities and roles will include the liaison with match officials & club opposition and the completion of matchday paperwork and some reports following games. This is a voluntary post and will require you to be available for the majority of home and away games, all with free admission.
 
Commercial Manager
The Commercial Manager shall take primary responsibility for aspects of the Club’s revenue generation. This includes corporate sponsorship deals and generally pursuing and converting income generating opportunities for the football club. Includes maximising sales in areas including perimeter boards, programme advertisements; match sponsorships, match day hospitality and event organisation and implementation. Commission opportunities available.
 
Membership Secretary
Responsible for managing the annual renewal process for all members and dealing with all new enquiries. To respond to all enquiries from potential new members in a timely manner and to collect renewal membership on an annual basis from existing members. Also, maintaining an up-to-date database of members and issuing new members welcome packs and newsletters on a periodic basis.
 
Match Reporter / Matchday Social Media
The match-day reporter will be responsible for match reports for the website and potential for sending to local media outlets. Also desirable would be matchday updates on social media platforms. We’re keen to boost our video output too, so an enthusiastic videographer capturing elements of the games and other content would be fantastic.
 
Women’s Team General Manager
At present Corinthian-Casuals do not have an adult women's team and we are keen to rectify this. We’re looking for an enthusiastic person to champion this project. With full support from the Committee, you’d head up the process of forming and administering a team, market it and form ties with the local community. You would be supporting a long-term project to bring women's football to one of the world's most historic football clubs.
 
If you are interested in joining our team for any of the roles listed above or in any capacity you believe would be of help to us, please make yourself known to any of the committee on a match day, or email our Secretary, Hanna Newton at secretary@ccfcltd.co.uk

It is with heavy hearts that we tell you our record-breaking, history-making manager James Bracken is stepping down now the season is over.

The last seven years with James at the helm have been fantastic. His drive, ambition and achievements are second to none and his unwavering involvement with everything from the ground up has been given with integrity and charm. James is part of the very fabric of this club, so it is a sad day all round.

James has been more than just a manager for us. He's a friend, a big part of our CCFC family, and a club stalwart. He's given us more than we dreamed possible as an amateur club and we are very thankful for everything he's done both with and for us.

James, we wish you the absolute best in your next steps and look forward to seeing where your pure talent and exceptional hard work takes you in the years to come. Thank you for everything, we'll miss you, our door is always open.