Brad Draper Interview (16/11/09)
Recruited during the summer as a part of first team manager Martin Larkin’s drive to assemble a squad of local players, Brad Draper has become well established in the Tunbridge Wells side over the last few months. Turning in some solid performances, he’s already started to grab the attention of the supporters - sharing the Supporters’ Player of the Month vote for October with Mike Lord, and bagging his first Tunbridge Wells goal on Saturday against Lordswood.
Speaking to www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk, Brad revealed some of the background to his career that led to him coming to Culverden.
“I started my playing career playing local junior football in my home town of Sevenoaks. I then played in the Kent U16 and U18 league for Crowborough where we had a very strong team challenging for the League - and we also made great progress in the FA Youth Cup.
“At the time, I also played for Sussex, but I really felt I needed to return to Sevenoaks and at the age of 17, I started playing first team football for Sevenoaks Town, helping in the promotion push from the Kent County League into the Kent League.
“After that I had a couple of hit-and-miss years at local clubs like Westerham and Chipstead. I won quite a lot at these clubs, but always wanted to test myself again. I decided, though, to completely take a break from football over the summer - before The Wells approached me.
“I had a slow start by my standards, but I feel I have finally settled into the team here at Culverden - it’s taken a lot for me to step up to the mark - but thanks to Martin, Greg Thurstan and Brad Sandeman’s hard work, I’m getting there.”
With October winning Draper some recognition, results-wise, it has been characteristic of the season as a whole, with three league draws.
“With a little more guts, heart and belief, I think this team can go far. Turning those draws into wins seems a big step for us - but we have not had much luck with injuries (hence myself playing out of position at centre back). I was signed to play a centre midfield role - but I don’t mind too much… as long as I play!
“We did, maybe, start to turn a corner with our November win over Fisher though."
All-in-all it seems Draper is fitting in nicely to life at Tunbridge Wells - although he’s already spotted an area that could do with improving to make life perfect for him:
“I have really enjoyed my time so far! The lads are wicked, the crowd have funny chants and the showers are terrible!
“Hopefully we can all push on in the right direction… but if I could just use this as a chance show a part of my Christmas wish-list to the Board… could we possibly get Sky in the clubhouse with a bigger TV?”
Perhaps, if the Board does hold a secret Santa, they’ll be keeping a check-list on Brad’s performances on the pitch to see just how good or bad he is during the run-up to Christmas... Incentive to push on for the November Supporter's Player of the Month award, maybe?
