Ben Hunter | 2025/26 Q+A #6 | 11.05.2026 |

Midfielder Ben Hunter reviews the 2025/26 season.

DK: Overall, how did you find the season from a personal perspective?

BH: I think it was a fairly decent season personally, probably not as good as last season but still a good one, pre season injury killed me a little bit.

DK: You've now finished 2 seasons at the club, how much have you enjoyed it?

BH: I’ve loved it to be honest, really felt at home the second I have joined and can only say thanks to everyone at the club who has made me feel so welcome, only just getting started here as well!

DK: A very good FA Cup run this season, what are your thoughts looking back?

BH: Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed it although it feels like a long time ago now! It was the furthest I have ever got in all my years of playing in it! Give a good account of ourselves against Weston as well, unlucky not to get a replay.

DK: A first Premier Cup triumph for you, how good did that feel?

BH: Yep, about time I finally got my hands on the trophy so it felt good, got to enjoy winning things because it doesn’t come along very often in senior football.

DK: A very professional Premier Cup run as well, winning it in style?

BH: I thought it was probably one of our best performances of the season against a strong team from the league below, the movement and fluidity was unreal, think we know if we play like that there isn’t many teams even at step 3 that could deal with us.

DK: Looking at the league campaign, obviously ended in gutting circumstances but there must be a lot of pride to have still achieved our second highest step 3 finish?

BH: I think when we look back after the heartbreak of the last day we can have some sort of pride that a club like Needham Market is right up the top of step 3 league, I can’t help but feel disappointed though as our aim was to get into the play offs and ultimately we failed at that.

DK: How do you reflect on the league campaign?

BH: Like I have said above I think we can take some sort of pride but can’t help the disappointment of missing out.

DK: Would you still class the season, overall, as a successful one?

BH: In some parts yes, in some parts no, you can count the Premier Cup as successful but not our league position, just motivates everyone to hit our goals for next season.

DK: What targets do you have next season - both personally and as a team?

BH: I think it has to be win the Premier Cup and get into the playoffs yet again, hopefully we can do both next season. Personally I want to try and be as consistent as possible and impact games and drive us on from midfield, if I can do that I’ll be a happy man!

DK: After a long season, you must be looking relishing the off season, or are you not much of a fan?

BH: It is nice to have some sort of break as it’s a long demanding season but it won’t be long until I’m itching to get back, feel like the end of the season left a bitter taste in my mouth so want to right them wrongs, I may not be saying that in pre season though with all the running!

Jake Bloom | 2025/26 Q+A #5 | 11.05.2026 |

Jake Bloom 11.05.2026

Under-23's and Under-18's goalkeeper Jake Bloom reflects on the 2025/26 season. 

DK: How did you find the season from a personal perspective (U23s/U18s) - arguably a successful one?

JB: Both team had a very successful season definitely, so there’s always that to look at. But for me personally it was all about developing and getting used to the standard early on. After that, it was all about consistency, and how I could correct finer details to make myself even better.

DK: Can you pick 3 standout games from this season, if so which ones and why?

JB: One game that always comes to my head is U18s V Sudbury in the County Cup. It was my first game back from injury with no training sessions, straight into the biggest game so far in the season. We dug deep and eventually won on penalties so that has to be up there as a one I won’t forget for a while. Next, I would have to say U23s County Cup Semi Finals against Woodbridge. When going in at half time only just conceding a quick 3 goals, we knew that we had a long way to get back in it. And then no one would have said we would complete the comeback to make it to the final winning 4-3. That was a special night not just for the team, but for the club, with the support and scenes after the game. And finally, one reserves game which is a memorable one, away to Wivenhoe. It was a bottom of the table 6 pointer against an aggressive team. We eventually won 3-1 after a very difficult second half defending our own half, but it was a successful day in the end.

DK: What'd you make of the season for the U23s?

JB: The U23s season was definitely and good one. After the poor season last year, we made sure improvements happened and things changed. We didn’t start the season great, but went on a great run at the start of the new year, going unbeaten in 9 games out of 10 games. We finished the league season just in 6th which is a big positive, but we had greater success in the cup. In the final, it wasn’t meant to be our day against a very strong Brantham side, but all the team done extremely well to get this far in the first place.

DK: How special was it to reach the Suffolk Senior Reserve Cup Final, and how proud are you of the run in that competition?

JB: We had a great run, defeating Debenham U23s, beating Sudbury U23s on penalties, then Haverhill Rovers Res in the quarter finals, before the unbelievable comeback v Woodbridge U23s, which summed up our season to never give up. Obviously, it was a tough final against a very strong Brantham side, but the boys should be proud if there were involved in the U23s this season. There are lots of difficult teams in the competition, some who we came up against, but we always did show great sprit to push ourselves further into the competition.

DK: A very historic season for the U18s - how proud are you overall?

JB: An incredible season in all competitions to be honest. We pushed each other through challenging times, but eventually got results that we needed. Being involved in the FA Youth Cup run was definitely a great one, with the boys out there giving it there all. It just shows that not many teams get that far into the competition from a non-league level, so that just shows how historic that was. The County Cup unfortunately wasn’t meant to be back-to-back, but some great moments to look back on that during those games. And then to the league where we went undefeated in what was a challenging season, with lots of new players from the U16s being involved towards the back end of the season, it really does show the quality we have in the club. In those games, I felt like I had to be more of the leader with more experience than them to help them as we had everything on the line to make sure we were champions, and to do it undefeated by only drawing 2 games is incredible as a club.

DK: Two great U18 cup runs that you were in the squad for, can you describe what that experience meant to you?

JB: Like I've just said those cup runs were amazing. We came up against tough opposition but we always played our football to get the better of them. Wehen preparing for those games in training, we only focused on ourselves as we know how much strength and quality we have which always shows on the game days. It was a great experience for me, especially being involved and watching it all, and I can hopefully use that to help me in the future.

DK: An unbeaten U18 League Champion campaign, how does that feel?

JB: The U18s league this year is a memorable one for sure. With the club having lots of games in a season, we needed the help of some of the U16s to step in during busy times of the season. With only drawing 2 games in a challenging season is impressive but also by winning the rest of the league games is something else. Moments like beating our rivals twice is always a good one I'd say. I think with the younger lads coming into the team, I feel like I had to play the more experienced role, to help them and guide them to making the transition easy for them, as they would of been feeling nerves for the occasion. Even in those games, performances might not of been the best, in which some games we had won, but went into the dressing room with negative mentalities as perhaps we were not happy with our own individual performance. That just shows the type of players we are I think and we all have the mentality to perform well consistently and get successful results at the same time.

DK: Can you recall a few saves that you made this season that stand out?

JB: I'm not really someone to remember saves that I make but more the overall performance that I had as that definitely gets remembered more by others. Of course I remember some like the Sudbury U18s game I made a close range save from a header at an important moment of the game which is definitely one for me to remember. In the same game, saving a penalty in the shootout is another good one. Another one more recent in the U18s V Hadleigh which was a long range volley steering towards my bottom corner. For sure I have made some for U23s, one V Woodbridge in the league got lots of mentions after the game which also makes you feel good. I have definitely got more but I enjoy having a good game but me playing well more, and my overall performance being memorable instead.

DK: What are your targets for next season?

JB: Aims for next season is to continue developing as a goalkeeper and my all round game. It doesn't matter what team I may be in next year, ensuring that I am consistent throughout the season is definitely a big one for me, in games and training, as there's moments one week I would do something in training or a game, and another week I won't do that successfully, but goalkeeping is all about fine details which I need to make sure I work on myself to get better at those. But I am always ready for whatever and am always pushing myself to become better like lots of players in the club. 

Oscar Wakeling | 2025/26 Q+A #4 | 10.05.2026 |

Academy winger Oscar Wakeling reflects on the 2025/26 season.

DK: How did you find the season from a personal perspective (Res/U23/U18s) - arguably a successful one?

OW: I think personally for me the season has only gone uphill. I started off playing in the Under 23’s at the beginning of the season. Began scoring quite a lot, and doing really well, alongside that I also was playing lots of minutes in the Under 18’s side, this is where a lot of my confidence was built up, I then got my chance for the reserves against newly promoted KPR. I started the game strong, and within the first 15 minutes I had grabbed my first goal for the reserves, I then went on to double that, and then finishing the hat-trick off in the second half. On a personal note this season I have seen the most improvement within myself and I pledge to keep pushing. 

DK: Can you pick 3 standout games from this season, if so which ones and why?

OW: I think the first game for me would have to be the county cup final, reason being last year I know we won, however I missed out on playing and being part of the squad although being in prior rounds, when that happened it lit something inside of me to keep going and wanting more and more. The entire season I have been training hard and playing well. This year we made it to the same stage and I started, it was a personal achievement for me although we didn’t win. Second game would have to be the FA Youth Cup First round proper - second time in history we as a club had ever been in that round, and to come on and score in it to help send us into the second round was incredible. The third and final game I would have to say is as I previously mentioned KPR during the reserves season, I was waiting on my opportunity to step up from u23’s to reserves and I finally got it, I started the game and scored a hat-trick, it doesn’t get much better than that. Now makes me the Second player out of the reserves squad to score a hat-trick. Evan Gledhill being the other.  

DK: How do you think this season ranks within your previous seasons at the club?

OW: This season doesn’t compare to other season It was a season of real highs, with a group of lads that i will miss playing with every week.  

DK: What'd you make of the season for the Reserves and U23s?

OW: The under 23’s season goes without saying is the best the club has had in a long time and I couldn't be prouder of the lads. Reaching a cup final is a great achievement and although I didn’t play I was down supporting the boys. As for the reserves, I can’t really comment on the first half of the season, however the second half I think was positive we knew every game mattered and we didn’t always get the result we wanted, but it didn’t stop us from working hard. 

DK: A very historic season for the U18s - how proud are you overall?

OW: The under 18’s is arguably the best team at this age group around this area, not many people do what we did this season and just to be a part of that was incredible, I'd like to thank Luke Betts massively for putting trust in me this year, something Ihadn’t been given by anyone else. 

DK: How special was it being part of that impressive FA Youth Cup run, the best the club's ever had?

OW: The Fa youth cup run was second to none. The nights under the lights, scoring goals and just sharing a pitch with some great lads, nothing beats it, to get to the second round proper having scored in the first round proper was crazy to say out loud for me. I had never played at such a high level.

DK: Unfortunate to not quite retain the Suffolk Midweek Cup, but you must be otherwise proud of that run?

OW: It’s a real shame we didn’t win the cup this year but to get to the final in the manner we did was great. And to play in every round including the final is the biggest success for me, and not only play in the final but to score as well. 

DK: An unbeaten U18 League Champion campaign though, how does that feel?

OW: Winning the league on my last season for the Under 18’s was something special. To do it with the boys was just amazing and makes it even harder to know that we are all separating now. It’s certainly one to remember.

DK: You scored plenty of goals this season, can you pick 3 that stand out for you?

OW: I think one of my favourites this year was my goal against Diss Town for the reserves. I picked up the ball and drove into space and hit a shot from outside the box going into the top left corner. Another one where not many people may remember I came on against FC Peterborough away, with 15 minutes to go, and Charlie Smy won a header on the edge of the opponents box and it fell to my feet I weaved between 3 players inside the box to get a shot off and scored, this one felt good in the moment. 

My last would have to be my first round proper goal, nothing beats scoring in the Fa Youth Cup to help send your team to a round the club has never reached before and make history, that was arguably the best. 

DK: Any goal that a teammate scored in a game you played in that stands out? 

OW: I think the best goal I’ve seen when I’ve played is Flynn Bobby against Dussindale at home, in a 2-1 win, he striked it from outside the box and I don’t think it could’ve got any further in the top right hand side corner.

Brad Smith | 2025/26 Q+A #3 | 09.05.2026 |

Defender Brad Smith talks about the 2025/26 season for the Reserves and Under-18's, as well as breaking into the First Team.

DK: How did you find the season from a personal perspective (Res/U18s) - arguably a successful one?

BS: I think from a personal perspective it’s been a very positive season gaining a lot more experience with another year of reserves football combined with some great experiences with the 18s playing some top sides in the fa youth cup.

DK: Can you pick 3 standout games from this season, if so which ones and why?

BS: Sudbury county cup 18s, just always a good feeling to beat them and always nice to win on penalties. Southend in the youth cup, although result went against us was an unbelievable test and experience for all the lads to show the levels of academy football. Erith Town 1st round proper of youth cup, unbelievable night top team performance and made history for the club.

DK: How do you think this season ranks within your previous seasons at the club?

BS: For me personally it’s the best I’ve had at the club due to the fact that I've made my debut for the first team and made history in the fa youth cup within it so it definitely takes top spot. Been a season that’s been full of achievements so on a personal note I’ve loved it.

DK: Similarly, how'd you summarise your time at the club?

BS: I’ve absolutely loved my time at the club and I wouldn’t change it for the world being here since I was 12 years old there been a lot of bumps in the road but I’m proud of my journey to this point.

DK: What'd you make of the season for the Reserves?

BS: This season has been a rollercoaster as always for the reserves after having a very positive start to the season and carrying decent form through to the Christmas and then had a spell of time where we struggled a lot but we managed to pick ourselves up and finish the season in a positive way with a couple of good and needed results.

DK: A very historic season for the U18s - how proud are you overall?

BS: I’m very proud of the group as a whole I feel like we deserve every bit of success we’ve had due to a lot of hard work and a lot of struggle at points in the reserves football so it’s nice for us to go and dominate football games and show how good we are at that level.

DK: How special was it being part of that impressive FA Youth Cup run, the best the club's ever had?

BS: Yeah as previously said the run in the fa youth cup was such an amazing feeling as a group we all knew that we wanted to better on what we’d done the season before and attempt to make history at the club so to do so was unbelievable.

DK: Unfortunate to not quite retain the Suffolk Midweek Cup, but you must be otherwise proud of that run?

BS: Yeah at the start of the season one of the goals we’d set out as a group was to retain the cup so it’s frustrating to come so close but not quite get over the line. But you have to give credit where credit is due because they were very clinical on the night and probably deserved to win the game so it was a shame but the group gave it everything again so I couldn’t of asked for anymore.

DK: An unbeaten U18 League Champion campaign though, how does that feel?

BS: It’s always great to finish a season unbeaten and it’s a great outlook for the academy as it’s been pretty much a different lineup every week through the league season and some of the under 16s have stepped up and done very well so I’m sure they’ll have a very positive year next year.

DK: A largely unchanged team over the previous seasons, how much has that consistency and togetherness played a part in the success?

BS: Playing multiple seasons as a group always helps because it gives you more time to gel and we all know how eachother play very well by now so it does make a big difference on the pitch.

DK: Another great personal achievement was that you broke into the First Team this season, how did you find it being in and around the squad on training and matchdays as a whole?

BS: Being in and around the first team environment is such a good learning experience and it shows the levels that are required to compete at that level so being given the chance to be involved on game days and training is great for personal development.

DK: Adding to that you made a fair few appearances, even starting for the First Team, how was that for you - and how much did that motivate you for more?

BS: Yeah turning up on the day and seeing my name in the starting 11 was a bit of a shock to be honest, but I can only be grateful to Tom for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to start and I thought I did well on the day so was buzzing. But I know what the process is ahead and am ready to step up whenever I’m required to but there’s a lot of hard work that has to be done first.

DK: One of those first team appearances saw you feature in 2 county cup finals in as many days, overall how was that experience - rather abnormal?

BS: Yeah it was definitely a new experience playing two cup finals in two days but it was such a good feeling to get on and win the game which helped to take away the disappointment from the night before

DK: Focusing on the First Team Final, how special was that to play in and win the Suffolk Premier Cup Final?

BS: It’s a great experience and special moment to play and win the premier cup at my age. Even more special on a personal behalf playing against my uncle in that kind of game so was a nice moment for the family.

Tyler Wright | 2025/26 Q+A #2 | 09.05.2026 |

 Tyler Smith 09.05.2026

Reserves and Under-18's defender Tyler Wright reflects on the 2025/26 season.

DK: How did you find the season from a personal perspective (Res/U18s) - arguably a successful one?

TW: I think the season went well from my pov first season playing men’s football which was tough had a period of time which was difficult overall good.

DK: Can you pick 3 standout games from this season, if so which ones and why?

TW: I think Res v Peterborough we knew they were a difficult team and we managed to get a point Erith town fa youth cup to make history for the club was brilliant and winning 4-1 to top it off was brilliant and last hadleigh at home had to win it to get a good spot at top of table came back from 2-0 to win 3-2.

DK: What'd you make of the season for the Reserves?

TW: I think the reserves league was a mixture of good games and not so good we done well start of season getting some wins dropped of during the end of season not gaining as many as we would of liked

DK: How'd you find your first season of senior football?

TW: First season in men’s football was difficult getting thrown into a tough league with many good teams as 16 year is tough didn’t contribute as much as I would of liked but I thought I done well.

DK: A very historic season for the U18s - how proud are you overall?

TW: Yeah brilliant season going unbeaten in the league is brilliant for everyone involved having great coaches to back us up is brilliant I’m proud as a player to be playing in that as it boost confidence.

DK: Unfortunate to not quite retain the Suffolk Midweek Cup, but you must be otherwise proud of that run?

TW: Yeah cup was difficult to not win it again but once again proud of the boys to get that far again didn’t play as much due to injury but watched on and we played really well

DK: An unbeaten U18 League Champion campaign though, how does that feel?

TW: Unbeaten is just brilliant everyone played their part the 16s coming up doing their part seeing what the standard is just brilliant hopefully same again next year.

Charlie Smy | 2025/26 Q+A #1 | 08.05.2026 |

Reserves and Under-18's midfielder Charlie Smy reflects on 2025/26.

DK: How did you find the season from a personal perspective (Res/U18s) - arguably a successful one?

CS: Yeah I think it’s been a very good season, with the 18s in particular as we managed to get to the second round proper which was a massive achievement and also to win the league undefeated. Reserves season was a tough one but a good learning experience nevertheless.

DK: Can you pick 3 standout games from this season, if so which ones and why?

CS: 1- Erith Town in the first round proper - I thought we dominated the game from start to finish and it was a really good 4:0 display from the boys.
2 - County cup vs Sudbury- it was a very tough game and I was buzzing to get a goal and to go on to win it on penalties a very good moment.
3- Second round of the fa youth cup vs Southend - it was a very good opportunity to play against a very strong side in the second round proper and it was a good experience to play in front of so many people at Bloomfields. 

DK: How do you think this season ranks within your previous seasons at the club?

CS: I think this season has been a good one mainly due to the success in the cup run with the 18s and the league title and it’s a season that I will remember for a long time.

DK: Similarly, how'd you summarise your time at the club?

CS: It’s been a really positive experience, I’ve learnt a lot during my 2 years at the academy which I can take forward into my footballing career.

DK: What'd you make of the season for the Reserves?

CS: It’s been a season full of ups and downs with some good performances not getting the points they should have. However there’s also a lots of things I’ve learnt from the reserves season this year.

DK: A very historic season for the U18s - how proud are you overall?

CS: I’m very proud of the 18s season and to do it with the boys makes it so much more special. Definitely a season to remember.

DK: How special was it being part of that impressive FA Youth Cup run, the best the club's ever had?

CS: It was very special, obviously making history for the club in that competition was a massive goal for us at the start of the year and thanks to all the coaching staff that helped us along the way, we managed to get to the second round which is a very good accomplishment.

DK: Unfortunate to not quite retain the Suffolk Midweek Cup, but you must be otherwise proud of that run?

CS: We had a good run in the competition, with some big wins like the ones against Sudbury and Lowestoft but we were very disappointed to lose the final, a game where we never really found our rhythm. 

DK: An unbeaten U18 League Champion campaign though, how does that feel?

CS: It’s very good to win the league and to do it unbeaten makes it much more impressive.

DK: A largely unchanged team over the previous seasons, how much has that consistency and togetherness played a part in the success?

CS: All of us boys go to college together and it’s brought us all a lot closer over the 2 years we’ve been here which I feel has played a massive part in all of our success.