REACTION | Marcus Garnham | League, County Cup Double Champions | 20.04.2024

Interviews from double trophy lift day

Reaction on our league win.

Goalkeeper Marcus Garnham reflects on the historic league and cup double.

DK: How does it feel to have finally got your hands on both trophies? 

MG: Yeah, it's a fantastic feeling. I think there's no other feeling like it, really. You know, we've worked so hard this year, been through some tough times at this club in the past few years in the league and to turn that all around is really special, I think, and it's special for all the people involved at the club, you know, like Mark and the chairman and Graham, people who do the tannoy, people behind the bar, Clarkey, like there's just so many people that just do so much for us as a team that you can't really put into words. It's just a bit ridiculous, really, considering where we were last year and Kev kept telling us, you know, that we're so close to being an unbelievable team and we didn't believe it and we've just proved them right this year, to be fair. I mean, we haven't had wholesale changes, we haven't changed totally as a team. We've signed three players, four players, sort of thing and they've all been fantastic and I'm really proud of everyone, to be fair. It's a fantastic moment for Suffolk football as well because I can't remember anyone winning the league at Step 3 going into Step 2. So, yeah, I'm really chuffed for everyone at the club and to have the club, you know, lift the trophy, you know, Tom and Kev do so much for us. They take the pressure off us, they give us the information that we need, you know, they're just brilliant guys and, you know, I owe a lot to Kev and Tom for everything they've done for me, to be fair. 

DK: When did you think we were going to win it, the league? I never really thought it, really. 

MG: I'm a bit like, I feel like Keiran in that sense, like a bit of a pessimist, like you kind of think of the worst case situation and you kind of just want to keep winning until it's like done. I don't, I didn't think we'd won it. It didn't really sink in even after the other week when we won it and it was all mathematically sorted. I was like, it didn't sink in and I was like, oh okay, we've won it and I couldn't believe it. Then it was, I've never had a feeling before, I was a bit numb, I didn't know what to do until that day and then the whistle went and we'd won the game and the rest is history and that's when I, that's the only time. Then today's really the only time I've really believed that we're gonna, we've got it because we had the trophy, you know, so yeah.

DK: How did it feel to take all those photos with teammates and family? 

MG: Yeah, it's brilliant. You know, as I've said before, it's people, I think I said it at Yeovil, like people go into situations and play football, never achieving anything in their whole career, never do anything. I mean, I wouldn't call this a career, I'd call it a hobby I get, you know, I travel around the country and enjoy it, you know, I'm not at that elite, elite level but you go for it, some people go through a whole career of not doing anything, don't achieve anything, don't win anything, don't, just play football for fun and we've had some very special moments at this club in the past three, since I've been here really, we've had some very, very special moments and this is just the cherry on top of everything that we've done as a team, you know, I'm one of the, I'm the oldest person in the team, we've got a lot of youngsters come through and, you know, they might think today this is going to happen year on, year out, it doesn't, you know, you'll be 15 years down the line and it might happen if you're lucky one more time. 

So, you know, you've got to enjoy it, let it sink in, don't take it for granted and take that into next season. 

DK: Must have been more special to have the photos with not just the league but your favourite county cup? 

MG: Yeah, it was nice, you know, I've won it a few times over the years and it's always been a good cup to me, I've always been quite successful playing in that cup, it does help playing for, you know, some of the bigger sides in the county to get in those situations but, you know, you've still got to win the games, still got to beat the teams in front of you and it's just, you know, it's a special cup to me, I've won it 10 times and, you know, the league on top of that and having done the double is a fantastic feeling and, you know, I want to thank every single player that I've played with this year for making that possible, Keiran and Dan have been immense, unbelievable all season. We just seem to know each other really well, how we play, what to expect from each other, we get each other out of trouble on numerous occasions and it goes, you know, without being noticed. Tommy Smith stepped in at left back and been phenomenal, just been solid as a rock all season and then Jakey Dye, just doing what Jakey Dye does, you know, and then we've had Hammo just can play literally in any position on the pitch and give you an 8 out of 10 and he stepped in the past few games and been brilliant so, you know, those lads have helped me massively, you know, it's been one of my quiet seasons to be fair, I haven't been having to make saves after saves every game but, you know, I like to think I've contributed when I've had to when we've been up against it, you know, and yeah, the lads, it's just all about the lads, it's nothing, it's not me, it's, you know, it's a team effort and everyone's, you know, contributed in some way this year to get us over the line. 

DK: Surely though, no one's won the Premier Cup six years in a row like you have. 

MG: Yeah, I don't know, I don't know, I haven't checked, I don't know, all I checked was to see how many that I've won and I've won 10 now, six on the bounce is not bad, you know, I'm fortunate, you know, it's very fortunate, I can't take it for granted, there's people that play in that cup every year and don't win it ever, just one of those things, isn't it, Drew, to be fair, it's a cup that's been good to me so I've just got to enjoy it while it lasts. 

DK: What do you do with all your medals? 

MG: I normally give them medals to my mum and she puts them away for me in a box and so when it comes to the time when I finally call time on my time playing football, I can reflect back and enjoy, you know, all the things that I've managed to achieve locally. 

DK: Where does this rank with your career because you've, I believe you've won a few leagues and even leagues and cup doubles? 

MG: I mean, this is, this is everything, isn't it, really, step three, I've never won step three before, this is it really, this is the pinnacle, this is the highest I've managed to achieve, so yeah, this is it, you know, the lads are fantastic and yeah, I love it and yeah, this is it, this is the best it's been so I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can and milk it as much as I can into pre-season, hopefully. 

DK: Pre-season staying with us?

MG: Yeah, hopefully, obviously, there's things to sort out regarding work and stuff, you know, with travel and things like that but, you know, I'm going to go into, I'm going to go into it hoping that I can do it and we'll see what goes with me. 

REACTION | KYLE Hammond | League, County Cup Double Champions | 20.04.2024

Interviews from Saturday's title lift

Interviews from winning the league 

Kyle Hammond reflects on winning the double. 

DK: How does it feel to be double champions? 

KH: Yes, unbelievable feeling. Just, I don't know, really can't put it into words. We came into the season hoping we'd just be fighting in and around playoffs, but as the season's gone on, we had a little sticky spell at the start, but as soon as we got the right formula, there was just this feeling around the camp, especially for me. I've been saying it for a while. We're just going to win the league. I've been saying it before Christmas, and we just kept churning out results when we haven't been playing very well. We still won, and at the end of the day, that's what football's all about.

DK: How'd it feel to be holding it finally in your hands? 

KH: Oh yeah, it's been a bit of a long, long while, really. Like, since we've actually won the league, we've had our sandals on at the end of the day, you know what I mean? Just to be honest, you do lose that little bit of, like, we need to win. It doesn't matter if we lose now, and then there's just that tiny, like, one percents, and when you lose one percents, that's the difference between winning and losing in football, because there's no bad, bad, rubbish teams as such, but it's just those little one percents, that extra one percent running, extra one percent everything else. That's what makes you win games. And we've had that this season. I think the players we added in the summer just added that little bit of difference to us. A little bit of just, just a bit more, just energy, passion, just experience. And look, at the end of the day, we've turned, since I've been at the club, other than a few cup runs, which is good, because cup runs are just one-off games, so, like, you can keep going through a one-off game, but in a league, we've been poor, let's be honest. And this year, it's just, we've been just so consistent, and consistency brings you consistent performances, which gives you chances to win games, and we've won a lot of games this year. And it's been strange, like, we've been laughing on the coach home, or, like, thinking, like, how are we in this situation? But we've earned it, we've earned it. So, we're there on mirror, and we've done it.

DK: You're talking about how we've made history with the trophy, then the FA Cup, now with the league, and we've had the county cup all throughout. 

KH: Oh, this team, for the last three years, or four years, whatever it is, has to be the best team in and around this county ever. Because over the four years, no one's ever done what we've done every year. So, yeah, but we've gone, every year we've made history for this club. And that sums us up, you know, and to be honest with you, that is for the likes of the people who have been here the longest. And, you know, your Keiran's, your Luke's, you know, Kev's been here, Tom, you know, all the supporters who follow us every week away games, you know, but it just needs to be realised how big of a feat with what we've done. Because I don't think people understand quite what we've done. And next year will be, in my opinion, next year will go one or two ways. It will, we'll do really well and people won't respect us. So that means we're better like that or it'll be a struggle. No bones about it. But I think we've got enough in our dressing room. Maybe add a couple more players and I think we will be alright.

DK: Yeah, and in the Premier Cup to this season, four on the spin, that's another special achievement. 

KH: Oh yeah, yeah. I mean, I've been here for three, I think. Yeah, I think I've been here for three and all of the finals, in my opinion, we've played not very well, but we've won. And again, we just find a way to win. And yeah, four, I've got now, I think I've got five now. So I'm trying to beat Marco's record. So hopefully I'll do that. Get another one next year. Marco will get another one next year, I suppose. And then once he retires or whatever, hopefully I'll take him over.

DK: Yeah, you're halfway to Marco's.  

KH: Oh, he's unbelievable. He's unbelievable, isn't he? Like, you know, he hasn't had exactly loads to do, but when he has loads to do, he moans.

When he doesn't have loads to do, he moans. So, but it's been quiet this year, to be fair. We've done, as obviously, I played right back the last few games since Jake's been injured. But as Marco, back four, and then just me, the midfield, I think we've just been so solid this year. I think that's just changed us a little bit. You know, just that little bit of oomph in there. And just, I think we've done, I think we've been so solid in the midfield. It's a bit, you know, not midfield, and just defending as a team. That is as a team, because the forwards do everything.

We back it up, and then, you know, back four just head, kick, defend really well. Do you know what I mean? And then Marco's just there when it doesn't, we don't do it, our job. Marco's just always there.

So it's just been, mate, the formula's just been really good. And we just got it, and to be honest with you, we've got personalities in the team who self-manage the team as well. And that's not a bad, that's not, I'm not saying that's a bad thing, as in Tom and Kev tell us, but we can manage the game as well in the game. And we've done really well at that as well. 

DK: How did it feel to take all those photos with all your teammates, but also your family as well? 

KH: Oh yeah, a special moment, isn't it? You know, you've got to just soak it in, because this might not ever happen again. So you've got to soak it in, and just these moments will be there forever. So you've just got to take every opportunity to do that.

So just, yeah. You know, family, friends, partner, whatever. You had to do it. You know, it's just, not had to do it, I mean, as in, you know, they're the thing, that's what you want to do. You know, soak it in. Yeah, I mean, my dad comes and watches every home game. He used to come watch every away game, but since he's got a big dog, he doesn't now. You know, it's just, there's little rewards. You know, he's my biggest critic. We have a conversation most Sundays about the games. He's just to the point, you know, I listen to him a lot. So he's been there throughout my career as such. And he does tell you if you've had a rubbish game, and I'll take it on board and try and do better. You know what I mean?

DK: I can tell how much that medal means to you because you're holding it as if it's like, not really there. Where is that going to go after? 

KH: Oh yeah, I haven't really thought about it.

I don't know. I mean, I don't know. Where do you put a medal? I mean, my Premier Cup, I'll be honest with you, my Premier Cup medals, I don't know where they are. These, these are decent. They got a little strap and all sorts. But yeah, this one, I like this one. This one's good.

REACTION | Keiran Morphew, Luke Ingram, Adam Mills | League Champions Reaction | 20.04.2024 |

Click the above photo, or this text, to watch the video interview.

Captain Keiran Morphew, Adam Mills and Luke Ingram reflect on the season. 

DK: Start off with you Keiran as a captain, how does it feel to be holding two trophies? 

KM: Yeah, quality. Can't believe it's really going to happen to be honest. During the year you never think you're going to win the league, but you find yourself top of the league for about three or four months and then you win it three games to spare. And then you find out you're not bad as a team. No, quality. To do the cup as well with Suffolk, never done that before I don't think. League and cup double at step three, so one for the record books. 

DK: Lukey, how does it feel to have done it with the three of you, being here last time you won the league? 

LI: Yeah, special. Millzy's done a world tour, then he's come back. He didn't realise that this is the best place to be. But yeah, like I say, I'm with my best mate Morphs. So yeah, special. This is by far and away the best club to be at. You get treated like kings. It's just a special thing that happened to us. Very happy. 

DK: And Milzy, how does it feel to be back as champions? 

AM: It's good to be back. It was a no-brainer really. Come back with the lads. Been here enough times now. It's good to be back.

KM: And he gets a medal as well! Love it baby! 

DK: You're not going anywhere then anytime soon? 

AM: No, I'm staying until I retire. 

KM: Heard it here FIRST! 

LI: I want that in writing! 

DK: That's going to be the headline now! What's the most special thing for you boys in particular? 

KM: To do it with Luke. Both hitting 500 appearances soon, 10, 12 years. I think that's paid off. Staying at one club and then doing this. That's just everything you wish for really. To have such a successful season. Can't ask for much more.

LI: It's all the same people here as well. The people behind the scenes all driving the club. It's just a small village. We're only going to get so many people watch games. We're only going to be able to generate so many funds. They've done it the right way. No one can say they've ever won the league and kept their finances in check and stuff like that. This is by far and away the biggest achievement of anything I've seen in Suffolk non-league football. It's pretty special.

DK: Has it sunk in for any of you yet? 

KM: We won it last month. It sunk in last month really that we won the league. 

LI: We would have rather won it last minute so everyone's still buzzing. We've been out on the lash and had a hangover for a week then lost a game and then lost another game. At the end of the day... KM: We're on holiday! LI: Yeah, we're on holiday! It's happy days! You win it early and it's such a good achievement. It's unheard of really. 

DK: It's a quick return from holiday for Tuesday night though. 

KM: Turn it On then turn it off for Tuesday night. LI: Stamford are good lads. We wanted them to go well. What can you say? We've lost today. We've won the league nearly a month ago. It's outrageous. We're going to have a few beers now, a bit of karaoke. We're going to enjoy it and celebrate. None of us ever thought this would happen. 

DK: When did each of you think we were going on to win it? 

KM: I'm pessimistic. I still didn't think we were going to win it. On the actual day we won it, Ings thought we won it at Christmas. He wanted to book the end of the season due for the 4th of May. 

LI: I thought we'd won it just as we finished the first game of the season when we lost 6-1. I thought, yeah, we've got a good chance. Outrageous achievement. We should probably really thank the management as well. They've brought in some good players. They've driven us forward. They've been telling us we'd win the league for ages. Even when we were behind their backs, what the hell are they on about? Happy days. Time to enjoy.

DK: What about you, Milzy? When did you think we'd won it? 

AM: I don't know. LI: When he was at Chelmsford, I reckon.