EXPERIENCED coach Geoff Warner is delighted to be back with Bracknell Town – and believes the Hellenic League title is still within their reach, writes Dave Wright.

Having left last October following a change in management, Warner has returned to Larges Lane to assist Carl Davies, who was appointed player-manager last week for the rest of the season following the departure of Jeff Lamb and Paul McGrotty.

“I had no hesitation when asked if I wanted to go back,” said Warner.

“I kept in touch with Carl and the players since I left, as I had worked with them for 18 months.

“I have also been down to see a few games and a couple of Under 23 games as well.

“As I said before, Bracknell is my club. My dad played for them and so did I. So when I got the call about coming back I jumped at the chance.”

Warner, who has been heavily involved in coaching the academy teams of Football League clubs including Reading, was involved with Bracknell last season, the most successful in the club’s long history.

Assisting Mark Tallentire, the Robins finished runners-up to Thame United in the Hellenic League and won three cup competitions.

But Tallentire left by “mutual consent” last September, with former Ascot United duo Lamb and McGrotty taking over.

Warner, who works full time with the successful FAB Academy based at Bisham Abbey, stayed with them for a short time before deciding to leave.

He’s now back and “can’t wait to get started again.”

Warner met club chairman Kayne Steinborn-Busse, director Bob Langridge and Davies on Monday of last week before meeting up with the players the following evening.

“It was a sort of clear-the-air meeting and players were given the chance to say what they wanted,” revealed Warner.

“That went well, just clearing the air really.

“As the U18s were playing, we couldn’t go onto the pitch to train, but we had a session in the gym with Sean Faulkner which went well.

“We couldn’t train Thursday either (due to the snow) and it was disappointing not to have played (Brackley Town Saints) on Saturday.”

Warner rejoins a Robins squad that is much the same as last season, with defenders Joe Gater and Ryan Parsons being the main additions.

And he believes they are more than capable of having a big say in the title race, although Town do have a lot of ground to make up on the current top two, Highworth and Thatcham.

“The players here have proven before they can go on a long run of wins,” he commented. “I think we won 14 on the spin last year, so they have proved they are capable of going on a good run.

“We have a lot of quality in the squad and it’s now a matter of everyone getting together for the big push.

“We are 20 points behind (Highworth) with six games in hand and have to play them at home. They also have to play Thatcham.

“Apart from Highworth, the only team we have got to play in the top six are Binfield, although there are still some difficult games to play, like Lydney and Tuffley away.”

Warner continued: “I am optimistic. Knowing the players, everyone seems on the same side now. We can have a good go at it (title race) and I am confident we can do it.”

Bracknell are not expecting any players to leave the club following the change of management, but there is a possibility they may consider bringing in one or two on dual-registration forms.

“Some clubs, like Thatcham with Slough’s Gavin James, are doing it,” said Warner.

“With so many fixtures still to play, we could be looking at playing Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday some weeks and if we have a few injuries, we might need one or two more players to come in.”

Bracknell are due to visit Tuffley Rovers this Saturday (3pm), but it must be in doubt due to the bad weather affecting Gloucestershire.

The clubs were prepared to switch the fixture to Larges Lane – where they are scheduled to meet on April 4 – but the request was turned down by the league.

The league have also given the Robins two more midweek trips to Gloucestershire – Fairford next Wednesday and Lydney on Tuesday, April 10.