Henry Vieira | 2025/26 Q+A #13 | 14.05.2026 |

Reserves and Under-18's forward Henry Vieira reflects on the season.

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

HV: From a personal perspective, I think it has been a decent season for myself. I’ve really enjoyed the football. To be part of the reserves team and the 18s team this year has been brilliant. 

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

HV: My three standout games this year would have to be Southend in the youth cup. Although we did lose this game, it was so good to be involved in it. It was the game in which we made history for the club so it did feel amazing to be playing in the game. Another stand out game would be the 3-1 win over Wivenhoe away. From a personal perspective, I think this game was very successful. To score the second goal to put us ahead was a brilliant feeling. The last standout game would have to be Stanway Pegasus at home. Winning 5-2 against a play off chasing side was a brilliant result. The game had been 2-2 until the last 20 minutes, so for the team to score 3 goals at the end of the match was amazing.

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

HV: Last season for the reserves, definitely wasn’t as successful as hoped for, however there are definitely lots of positives to take from it. There were definitely games in which we were the better side but just couldn’t get the 3 points over the line. We did however have some great games beating teams at the higher end of the table.

DK: What did you make of your first season of step 6 football?

HV: Going into my first season in step 6, I really did not know what to expect. It was definitely the biggest challenge I have faced so far, especially against the stronger teams in the league. I think I underestimated the physicality side of the league which I now know is a huge factor, so that was hard to get used to at first. It is a very competitive league, but I think that did make me really enjoy playing football.

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

HV: It has definitely been a successful year for the 18s team. Managing to win the league unbeaten was a great achievement for us. It was definitely a huge challenge, some weeks we definitely did not play our best football but as long as we got the 3 points was all that mattered. I think the standout was the run in the FA youth cup. It was amazing to make history for the club and I know the boys were really proud of that. it was amazing to see so many people turn up to the games which I think really helped us. It was definitely a shame to not win the county cup this year but it gives us a target for next season.

DK: What are your targets for next season?

HV: My targets for next year are to win the league again. To definitely win the county cup, I think this is a huge target for everyone as we know how much it hurt to lose in the final and to reach the first round proper of the fa youth cup again. 

Charlie Skinner | 2025/26 Q+A #12 | 13.05.2026 |

Charlie Skinner | 2025/26 Q+A #12 | 13.05.2026 |

Reserves and Under-18's Goalkeeper Charlie Skinner recaps the 2025/26 season.

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

CS: I feel like I had a decent season from a personal perspective this year. Yes I would say a successful year for the 18s winning the league and also a good competitive year for reserves. 

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

CS: U18s first round FA Youth Cup, this is a big stand out game due to it being a great achievement for us. U18s semi final of county cup, this one because of making it to a county cup final twice in a row. Reserves Wroxham reserves away this was a stand out game due to us being there first loss all season.

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

CS: It was a tough season overall and I think we were definitely disappointed with how it went this year. 

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

CS: Yes a very good year for the 18s being undefeated in the league and having great cup runs so very proud of the lads.

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

CS: Yes very special to be apart of the FA Youth Cup run and to do it with these lads as well was amazing achievement for us all but was a big shame to of missed the second round proper due to injury. 

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

CS: Right at the very top definitely one of the best seasons I’ve played both personally and with the team but that credit to the lads I played with. 

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

CS: It’s been amazing loved every second of it I feel I have improved so much since joining but that comes down to the incredible coaches I’ve had throughout the 2 years and also met great lads along the way.

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

CS: Yes it was a good run and proud to of got back two back finals in this competition but was very disappointing to of not retained it.

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

CS: Yes feels very good to of gone through the season with no losses in the league and am so proud of the lads.

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

CS: I would say Wroxham away I made a few big saves to keep a clean sheet and win us the game but if I was to pick one it would be a top bins saves against FC Peterborough. 

DK: You've kept a good clean sheet ratio this season, many stand out to you?

CS: Yes I think all of the FA Youth cup ones stand out but if I had to pick one it would be Fakenham in the youth cup made a few big saves.

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

CS: Yes the consistency has played a big part in the success from the last 2 years and what helps is how close we all are as a team and I think this shows on the pitch.

Harlyn Palmer | 2025/26 Q+A #11 | 12.05.2026 |

Reserves and Under-18's winger Harlyn Palmer looks back at the 2025/26 season.

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

HP: Yeah even though my season was cut short in January I think I have a good half season and I’ve enjoyed it a lot.

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

HP: I would say for me the FA Youth Cup game against Billericay as we got into the first round proper for the first time in the clubs history the second game I’d say is the game we had against Bristol City academy even though they were a year younger we still dominated a top academy side and it was also a good experience, lastly I'd probably say the FA Youth Cup game vs Lowestoft we came into the game after beating them in the county cup the year before so we know they would’ve wanted to get one back on us but we ended up winning the game quite comfortably with a good performance.

DK: You scored some big goals this season, can you pick a few that stand out?

HP: Yeah I scored a couple in the FA Youth Cup but the one that stood out the most was the one against Billericay which earned us first round proper.

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

HP: Yeah I’m not sure to be fair because obviously last season we had the county cup final win which also made history for the club but then this season we got to the second round proper of the FA Youth Cup and also got to the county cup final which unfortunately I was still injured so I couldn’t play but still 2 very good seasons which are hard to choose from.

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

HP: Yeah I’ve found the past 4 years really good 2 EJA seasons and 2 academy seasons but I think I’ve improved a lot as a player and have also made some good memories and new mates.

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

HP: Overall a bit of a disappointing season for the reserves because I think we played well in pretty much every game but just couldn’t get the results. I thought we started the season quite well but ended quite poorly.

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

HP: Yeah a really good season again for the U18s reaching the second round proper and the final of the county cup again and I’m proud of the club for being able to reach that.

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

HP: It was really special obviously coming short losing 3-0 to a good Southend side in the second round proper but it also created good opportunities for me like going out on trial to Coventry and also for the rest of the team.

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

HP: Yeah it’s annoying not to retain the midweek cup but still a massive achievement reaching the final 2 years in a row.

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

HP: It’s played a massive part we’ve all grown so much as players and people and I think that’s created good togetherness within the squad which probably links with why we’ve had so much success. 

Ben Smith | 2025/26 Q+A #8 | 11.05.2026 |

Ben Smith | 2025/26 Q+A #8 | 11.05.2026 |

Reserves defender Ben Smith looks back on the season.

DK: How did you find the season from a personal perspective?

BS: Another season full of ups and downs mate a great season again for my development with the lads but plenty of downs too but that’s football you learn from every season you have.

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

BS: The first one would be the win at Wivenhoe was absolutely key to the season it was a massive win to give us a boost when we needed it, the midweek 1-0 win away at Wroxham was also so good the fight the lads showed to hold out for a massive 3 points and a clean sheet from a defensive pov was even better and the last one even though we ended up losing the game was KPR at home it was a mental game which we led right up until the dying moments and for the to have to bring on an ex prem player to score the goals just shows the heart these boys had for young lads.

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

BS: It’s another season right at the top for me mate obvious the seasons where I could play 18’s and go on cup runs and league runs would maybe rank slightly higher but to be involved in one of the best ressies teams theres been means it ranks highly.

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

BS: Mate I’ve loved my time at the club the last 8 years have been so good I’ve loved every minute the coaches have been top dollar the lads I’ve met and made friends for life so the club will forever hold an important place in my life it’s the place that’s let me develop to become the player i have become today.

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

BS: Like I’ve said in previous answers it was an up and down season for the ressies with some very good results but also a run of games that let us down massively which we knew at the time we’d let ourselves down. 

DK: As one of the more longer serving players in the Academy, how pleasing has it been to see the development within the team?

BS: The development throughout the years has been incredible mate the lads have grown and grown into great players they’ll all go on to have great careers I’m sure.

DK: What's the one major takeaway thought for you from this season?

BS: Another great season for development mate some ups and downs but to finish my time at Needham in this way was great the clubs great and wish everyone nothing but the best in the future.

DK: There's a lot of togetherness within the squad, how much has it become like a family - even with the direct family you have in the team?! 

BS: I don’t even attend the college anymore but on match days it feels like I’m with the lads every day it’s a great group and of course with brad in there playing alongside your brother is always special it’s been a great year though looking forward to the future. 

Olly Bowman | 2025/26 Q+A #7 | 11.05.2026 |

Olly Bowman 11.05.2026

Under-18's and U23's player Olly Bowman discusses the season.

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

OB: Yeah I think it was definitely a successful season, top scorer for the 23s is a good feeling and of course winning the league at 18s and 2 separate cup finals tells you all you need to know!

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

OB: I’d definitely say Woodbridge 23s in the semis, although not my best game from being 3-0 down at half time to winning 4-3 to take us to the final was special. I’d also say Stow 23s at home, even though we were soundly beaten it was my first minutes back from my long injury and it just felt unreal to be back playing (was nice to score too!) And finally id say Felixstowe away last game of the season, although not our best performance it was our last game together and our last 18s game ever so it was a very special night to cap off 2 unbelievable years.

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

OB: All things considered a really good season for us 23s especially considering the place we were in last year compared to now, finishing 5th this year is good but I feel and think most of the other feel we could’ve done better but reaching the cup final is an excellent achievement for us and I’m so proud of the boys.

DK: I believe you finished top scorer for the U23s, which you must be proud of?

OB: Yeah I did end up finishing top scorer for the 23s which is of course something I’m very proud of, always good to score goals and contribute to the team in that regard.

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

OB: Yeah it was very special, I believe it’s the first time the u23s had got there so that makes it that even more bit impressive for us and I’m so proud of the run even if it wasn’t meant to be in the final.

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

OB: Yeah very happy all things considered, I think we’re all a bit tilted by the cup final result against Leiston but on the night they probably deserved it, winning the league is fantastic however and our historic FA youth cup run is even more impressive so yeah very happy.

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

OB: Feels amazing to be honest, we all knew we were capable of something like that with the talent we had but there’s nothing harder in football than winning a league title over the course of a whole season and doing it unbeaten is almost unheard of so yeah extremely happy and proud.

DK: How did you find it playing different roles between the U23s and U18s?

OB: It’s two very different styles of football you know, at 18s everyone’s the same age similar builds so it’s more of a total football approach, you see more of the nicer side of football whereas with u23s it’s basically men’s football so you get the more ugly side but I enjoy both you know so it suited me. Of course I also played on the wing for the 23s whereas for 18s I was a fullback so that was different as well having to adapt and change my mindset was difficult but a good challenge and definitely made me more adaptable and all rounded.

DK: Can you recall a few goals that you scored this season that stand out?

OB: The one the comes to mind first is mine against Stow at home which I previously mentioned, I only played 15 mins that day on my first game back from injury and the ball was sprayed out to me, I touched it down, did a drag back to beat my man and then wrapped it far corner. Just an amazing feeling to score on my first game back after 3/4 months out.

DK: How does the season rank with your previous years at the club? 

OB: On a personal development note this has been my best year at the club, I’ve been here 3 years now and I can easily say I’ve developed as a player and as a person the most this year, however it’s really a toss up between this year and last for which has been my favourite season, I’ve absolutely loved my time at Needham so far and couldn’t ask for a much better group of lads to have gone through it all with!

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.