Braintree Town was formed on 24 September 1898 as Manor Works, the works team of the Crittall Window Company, from which they gained their nickname Iron. The new club took over the fixtures of the recently defunct Braintree F.C. in the North Essex League and also took on most of the former club’s players. They won the title in 1905–06, 1910–11 and 1911–12, also winning the Mid-Essex League in 1909–10 and 1910–11.

In 1921 they were renamed Crittall Athletic to be more closely identified with their parent company. After winning Division Two (Western) in 1922–23 and 1923–24, they were promoted to the Senior Division of the Border League in 1925. In 1928 they joined the Spartan League, and in 1935 were founder members of the Eastern Counties League, although they also continued to play in the Border League.

After World War II, Crittall joined the Eastern Division of the London League. After finishing second in their first season, they were promoted to the Premier Division. In 1954 they turned professional, but financial problems forced them to revert to amateur status and drop back down into the Border League at the end of the 1954–55 season.

In 1981 all links with Crittall were severed and the club was renamed Braintree F.C., before adopting their current name a year later. They won their second Eastern Counties League title in 1983–84 and retained it the following season. In 1986–87 they won the Essex Senior Trophy and the League Cup the following season.

In 1991 Braintree moved up to the Southern Division of the Southern League. In 1996 the club asked the FA to switch leagues to reduce their travelling. After initially being refused, they were allowed to move to Division Three of the Isthmian League, although it was an effective drop of two divisions. They were promoted as runners-up in their first season, and repeated the feat the following season.

After three seasons in Division One they were promoted to the Premier Division with a third-place finish in 2000–01. They won the Premier Division in 2005–06 to earn promotion to the Conference South. The season also saw them reach the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, eventually losing 4–1 at Shrewsbury Town.

In 2010–11 they finished as Conference South champions, earning promotion to the Conference Premier. The next four seasons saw the club reach the FA Cup for the first round, losing to Tranmere Rovers, Newport County, Chesterfield and Oxford United in successive seasons.

In 2015–16 they finished third in the renamed National League, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. Despite winning the first leg at Grimsby Town 1–0, they lost the home leg 2–0 after extra time. They were relegated from the National League at the end of the following season after finishing in the bottom four.

The 2017–18 season saw Braintree finish sixth in the National League South. In the play-offs they defeated Hemel Hempstead Town and Dartford to reach the final, in which they beat Hampton & Richmond Borough 4–3 on penalties to earn promotion back to the National League. However, they were relegated to the National League South the following season after finishing second-from-bottom of the National League.

At the end of last season, the Iron earned a play-off spot after finishing 7th in the National League South. They faced the Rebels at Woodside in the Eliminator which Worthing won 2-1. They improved on their 7th place finish this season, earning a home tie in the Play-Offs after finishing 5th.

 

Form

Despite a defeat against Eastbourne Borough on the final day, Braintree finished the season strongly to secure a 5th place finish in the National League South. In 22 league matches since the turn of the year, the Iron lost just three and won 14 to ensure their place in the Play-Offs, and a home tie in the Eliminator.

That they won against Bath City, as Tom Blackwell’s winner late in extra time set up a trip to local rivals Chelmsford City in the Semi-Final. After playing another 120 minutes of football, the Iron booked their place in the final with a dramatic 3-2 win over the Clarets which now sets up a highly anticipated Promotion Final with the Rebels.

Last Six
27/4 – Chelmsford City (A) – Won 2-3 AET – Play-Off Semi-Final
23/4 – Bath City (H) – Won 1-0 AET – Play-Off Eliminator
20/4 – Eastbourne Borough (H) – Lost 2-3
13/4 – Havant & Waterlooville (A) – Won 1-2
9/4 – Taunton Town (H) – Drew 0-0
6/4 – Weston-super-Mare (A) – Won 0-1

 

The Gaffer

Angelo Harrop was appointed as Braintree Town manager in May 2022 and has led the club to the National League South Play-Offs in both seasons in charge.

The former Colchester United youngster started in management with Stanway Rovers in 2013 before taking the hot seat at Brightlingsea where he guided them to the title in the Ryman League Division One North in 2016/17.

Harrop then joined AFC Sudbury in 2021 before making the move to Braintree a year later.

His Braintree side this season have been the best defensive unit in the league, after conceding the least amount of goals out of any side in the division.

 

The Captain

Baris Altintop rejoined the club from Dartford earlier this season and has taken the armband.

Altintop operates as a central defender but can also play as a right-back and earned high praise for his performances for Braintree in the 2022/23 season.

Despite departing Braintree for Dartford back in the summer, Altintop’s stay in Kent was a short one, as he rejoined the Iron midway through the season.

The defender is a real leader from the back for the Essex outfit.

 

Key Player

Defender Joe Grimwood has been an ever-present member of Braintree Town’s starting XI in the league this season and has been an integral part of their fantastic defensive record.

The defender has played all but 44 minutes for the Iron in the National League South this season after he picked up a second yellow card in their 1-1 draw away at Aveley earlier this season. The defender served his suspension in the FA Cup and has played every minute since his dismissal back in September.

The 22-year-old joined Braintree from AFC Sudbury back in the summer and has certainly settled in well at Cressing Road.