Danny Bracken - A Career in 20 Black & White Images

By Club Photographer Stuart Tree

As a photographer who’s been taking pictures of Corinthian-Casuals as long as Danny Bracken has been playing for the club, you can probably gather that I’ve taken a LOT of photos of him. As Dan reaches ever closer to five hundred competitive games for the club, I’ve been trawling through the archives, looking back at all of the images that he’s prominently featured in. It soon dawned on me that this task would take a very long time, picking out all of my favourite photos. There's literally hundreds upon hundreds!

What I did notice was my black and white collection featuring Dan was far less numerous. Yet the beauty of monochrome photos is they’re often far more impactful than their colour counterparts.

So here is twenty of my favourite black and white photos of Captain, Leader, Legend Danny Bracken and when they were taken.
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An early photo of Dan remonstrating with the referee over a decision long since forgotten about. Those that have seen Danny play will know he’s not shy in letting officials know what he thinks.

Danny not looking all too pleased at Hastings United’s Pilot Field as Casuals went down 2-1 in 2014 to their hosts.

Facing his youngest penalty taker, Dan was an inspiration to many of the kids at the KFC project in Sao Paulo, run by former Corinthian and Brazilian international, Kleber.

He’s earned the name on the back of his shirt. The firs time we’d seen ‘Bracken’ with the now ever-present number one. Taken at the John Mills Invitational Tournament in Sao Paulo in which Casuals were the winners.

Is there anything more cool for a footballer to play beach soccer on Copacabana beach? Here’s Bracks with teammates Danny Green, Juevan Spencer and Joe Davies playing with a skilful local.

Back to reality as Dan fetches the ball across the vastness of the athletics track at the now demolished Stompond Lane. Icy conditions saw Bracks tread carefully.

Another ‘International’ trip, this time to Guernsey for an Isthmian League South fixture as Dan relaxes on the flight over to the Channel Islands.

With teammates Carl Wilson Denis and Andy Mills following another win back in 2015.

Silhouetted against the floodlights of Hendon FC – Casuals were honoured to be the very first opponents welcomed to Silver Jubilee Park, though losing out 4-1 to our Premier opponents in the London Senior Cup Quarter Final.

Having a laugh with former captain Jason Turley on the tour in Brazil, heading off to another outing in Sao Paulo. Dan is often seen as one of the most infectiously funny players in the squad.

Always competitive no matter what the game. Here’s Bracks and ‘Busy’ Jamie Byatt disputing the scoreline in a game of table football at Corinthians’ training ground in Sao Paulo.

‘Busy’ and Bracks remonstrate with their Brazilian counterparts at table football in the impressive training facilities of the Corinthians.

Head of the class. Dan leads the questions to former Arsenal Invincible and then Director of Football at Corinthians, Edu – who was the consummate professional and perfect host for us in a Q&A session.

Ready for the big match. Captain Joe Hicks and Dan release any nerves in the tunnel before the historic match between Corinthians Paulista and Corinthian-Casuals in January 2015.

All change. Now Captain, Dan has a laugh with his new teammates following the appointment of his brother James Bracken as First Team Manager. Here’s Dan with Ben Cotton, Josh Uzun, Terry Murray, Brandon Johnson and old buddy Danny Dudley at Sittingbourne.

A foggy Worthing evening in 2015 – Casuals had beaten the league contenders 2-0 in the opening match of the season but succumbed to a 3-0 reverse on this night.

On the scoresheet. Josh Uzun won a penalty. However, he was injured in the process so up stepped Dan to take the resulting penalty. Ever confident from the spot, he scored his one goal for the club against Croydon Athletic. Dan is always up for taking penalties, even scoring in the playoff final against Dorking Wanderers.

Come rain or shine – or mostly rain, Dan will always be there. The heavens opened at Leiston as Casuals recorded a wonderful 2-1 victory over their higher league opponents in the FA Trophy in 2015.

Preparing for another vital match, Dan goes through a pre-match ritual to ensure he’s in the best frame of mind for the game ahead. This was before the 1-0 win over Hornchurch in 2021.

Being the Captain has its responsibilities. Leading the team out wearing one of the Socrates famous headbands given to us by the icon’s widow was bestowed to Danny as we commemorated the tenth anniversary of the Brazilian’s passing in December 2021.