‘Please come out and support us, we need it’
BRAY Wanderers runs in Hugh Douglas’ blood. His great grandfather, Joe Douglas, once played for the Seagulls so should the club go into liquidation, the club’s current right-back would be losing more than just a wage.
Douglas has been employed at the Carlisle Grounds since 2014 and has made 81 appearances for the club in that time.
He made a return from injury on June 16th against Derry City, having last played for the club on April 4th due to injury. But just as he thought his luck was turning, he got Sunday’s devastating news that his Bray Wanderers career is in jeopardy.
“My first reaction was disbelief. With the season that we’re having and everything going to plan on the pitch to finish in the top four and get into Europe and then to be told that your career lies in the balance – it was quite shocking. A lot of the players held their head in their hands and couldn’t believe the news that we were getting. It was an awful couple of hours.”
Douglas has often been described as a warrior on the field for his all-action displays and he leapt to his team-mates’ defence following online criticism since Sunday.
“That’s one thing that I’ve seen on social media; a few people saying certain things about the players. I could not speak any more highly about those lads in the dressing room. Every single training session and game day the boys give 100% and it’s not like we’re full-time so myself and everyone else on that team has a second job and we work during the day and turn up to training regardless of how our day has gone in the workplace. We always give 100% for the jersey and I’ve seen stuff online that really boils the blood.”
With the club currently in third, European football is a distinct possibility for the Co. Wicklow club. Douglas admits that he never dreamed that he would get that opportunity but he is adamant that if funds continue to be made available to the players, they will reward them with a top three finish.
“I just know that if we were given the chance until the end of the season…a lot of the lads want to stay and fight for the club and get us into Europe and hopefully turn things around but obviously everything is up in the air at the moment.
“I believe that we will get into Europe. Our performances on the pitch have been good this year, we’ve tested the best teams in the country and we’ve got good results home and away. It’s just a case now of whether we’ll be given the chance to finish the job that we started at the start of the year. “
It appears that Bray’s next fixture – and possibly last fixture – will the home tie against Cork City. Due to their own European schedule, it is likely that the match will be rearranged for July 16th. What a fitting statement of unity it would be if the beleaguered Seagulls were to inflict a first defeat of the season on the Leesiders and Douglas is pleading with all of you to attend and save the club before it is too late.
“I understand that a lot of people in the town haven’t come because of the current regime maybe but for the sake of the club and the players on the pitch, I’d really hope that everyone would come out in their droves and really support us against Cork. It really does drive us on the pitch. When you see the support and you hear people calling you from the stand and urging you on for every pass and tackle and shot – it really gives you the hunger to perform well. Please come out and support us. We really need it.
“I can only thank the loyal supporters that do turn out every week to cheer us on. I’d just encourage anyone in Bray - whether it’s young children, under 18’s, students, OAP’s – anyone, please just come down and cheer us on. We’re trying everything on the pitch and your support would be really appreciated.
“That’s the scary situation we’re facing and especially myself that I might not put the Bray jersey on again if the club folds. It’s a scary predicament.”
I can only thank the loyal supporters that do turn out every week to cheer us on. I’d just encourage anyone in Bray - whether it’s young children, under 18’s, students, OAP’s – anyone, please just come down and cheer us on. We’re trying everything on the pitch and your support would be really appreciated.”
Douglas has received many queries from other clubs but he is unequivocal in what he desires.
“To put it straight; I want to stay and fight for the club until the end of the season. I want to finish this job and get into Europe. If we’re given that chance, it’s my main goal.”