Bracknell Town will go into the new year still involved in five competitions, writes Dave Wright.

But chairman Kayne Steinborn-Busse insists they must concentrate on one thing – securing promotion from the Hellenic League.

“That is an absolute priority for us,” he said. “Cup runs are nice, but they could be seen as distractions, quite frankly.

“I am very happy with the way the season is going and we are ready for a big push going into the second half.

“I am really happy with what the new management team have done since they came in and I like the additions they have made to the squad, particularly Ryan Parsons. He is a fantastic signing. He had done really well since joining us.

“Another two players who have really stood out for us in recent weeks are Carl Davies, who has been phenomenal, and Jamie McClurg. Their experience is proving very crucial to us.”

The Robins chairman accepts that current leaders Highworth – whom Town visit on December 30 – and Thatcham are the main dangers in the title race, although agrees it is too early to exclude Wantage and Flackwell Heath.

“I think it is going to be very tight this season with four of five teams up there,” he commented.

Bracknell currently lie fourth in the standings, 13 points behind Highworth with three games in hand and five adrift of the second club, Thatcham, who have played two more matches.

Town are home to seventh-placed Brimscombe & Thrupp this Saturday (3pm) and then visit sixth-placed Binfield next Wednesday (7.45pm).

The Robins’ place in the third round of the Perpetua Press Floodlit Cup has been confirmed with the league kicking out Highmoor Ibis after they had admitted to being responsible for causing the tie being abandoned in October due to the behaviour of certain players. They will now be away to Didcot Town Reserves.

Town were left without a game last weekend when their Bluefin Sport Cup tie at Ardley United was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

In the meantime, Steinborn-Busse yesterday (Tuesday) submitted full planning proposals to Bracknell Forest Council to redevelop the playing fields of Ranelagh School.

The plan is to build a complex that will be used primarily by the school and football club, but also offering opportunties that will benefit the whole community.