As Brightlingsea Regent have developed as a football club Jake Gould has grown with them and now he is bidding to help his home-town club break new ground.
The 25-year-old left-back, who lives just two minutes from Regent’s North Road ground, joined the club aged eight, progressed through the youth ranks and has now made 300 senior appearances.
On Saturday, he is set to line up against Harlow Town in The Buildbase FA Trophy second round qualifying.
And manager James Webster is delighted Brightlingsea have maintained its local connections during their journey to the Isthmian League Division One North.
“Jake is a Brightlingsea lad, he’s come right through the youth system and as we’ve grown as a club he’s one player who has come with us,” said Webster.
“Five years ago he was playing three divisions lower, but he’s grown along with the team and is still going.
“He’s a local boy and it’s great for the club to have that community spirit. He’s only 25 so he could go and double 300 appearances; he’s got 10 years of football to play.
“He’s an attacking player, both our full-backs are attack-minded, we like to play like that way. “I have been here seven years it’s always our philosophy to play good football.”
Brightlingsea are in good form of late, having won 10 of their last 11 games in all competitions, but face a tough challenge from Harlow who play their football a step above.
Following last season’s promotion, the Hawks are 10 in the Isthmian Premier Division table but have struggled somewhat on the road, suffering six defeats in nine away fixtures.
FA Trophy history
Brightlingsea Regent have only been in the competition on three occasions and this is the first time they have reached second round qualifying – having beaten Metropolitan Police 6-2 in their previous fixture.
Harlow Town have made the second round proper on multiple occasions, most recently in 2002-03.
Did you know?
Free-scoring Regent have banged in an incredible 34 goals in their last eight games including six against Metropolitan Police in the last round.
“Everything we touch seems to hit the back of the net,” said Webster.
“We are creating and taking a lot of opportunities. It’s like watching a basketball game at times.”
One to watch
Regent’s top scorer this season is Aaron Condon who has led the line with 19 goals, after stepping up a league to join the club.
But his is set to be up against towering centre-back Ibrahima Sonko – the 35-year-old Senegal international having joined Harlow in August 2015.
The prize
The winner will take home £3,250 and a place in the third round qualifying draw.
