Bracknell Town’s FA Cup clash with Ipswich Town will live long in the memory for everyone associated with the Robins and the club have now claimed a national prize for their exploits in getting there.
The Pitching In Southern League Premier South runners-up won four qualifying round matches to reach the first round proper for just the second time in their history.
The Tractor Boys won 3-0 in front of 1,950 fans at The SB Stadium but Bracknell’s efforts have now been rewarded with the FA Cup Run of the Year prize at the Non-League Paper’s National Game Awards, in association with Isuzu.
Bracknell joint-manager Jamie McClurg said: “You can always raise your game when you are playing a team in the league above but I think the team we have could compete in the league above or we wouldn’t be here.
“We’ve done well in every competition and were just pipped in the league but the camaraderie of the boys and the way they treat each other is amazing.
“Obviously, when you are young, FA Cup day is a day you spent with your family, it is a huge thing.
“I have been lucky enough as a manager to get to Wembley in the FA Vase with my previous team [Binfield] and now have had a good FA Cup run.”
The FA Cup was not the only competition in which Bracknell excelled in 2022/23, with the Robins also dumping three National League South teams out the FA Trophy en route to the fifth round.
That run was ended by Altrincham but the Robins did reach the final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, getting past the likes of Wycombe Wanderers and MK Dons.
He added: “It has been an incredible journey and I am really proud of the boys and the club for being recognised for it.
“Before the Ipswich game, we spent a whole day in a hotel and ITV were there filming all the boys. They got the limelight they deserved because they put every bit of effort into getting there.
“To play against an Ipswich side that are up and coming, with a top manager who is probably going to one day be in the Premier League, it was an amazing experience.
“The boys have done the town proud.”
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