Vic Bragg retires after 30 years of service to the Albion

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Academy coach calls time on career.

Luke Nicoli

2024-09-18T06:00+01:00

Vic Bragg joined Albion in 1994.

We said goodbye to Vic Bragg at the end of August after 30 years sterling service with the club.

Vic has filled various senior roles within the academy and has helped bring through almost 90 players into our first team over the years. A phenomenal achievement from one of the most respected and humble members of our staff.

You joined the club in 1994, Vic. No doubt it was a very different Albion back then…

Vic was presented a signed shirt by the club at his send off. Pictured, left to right: Mikey Harris, Owen Fisher, Ian Buckman, Martin Hinshelwood, Vic Bragg, Shannon Ruth, Gary Dicker. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

"It certainly was and there were only four of us in what was then the Centre of Excellence, along with a few part-timers. The four – Martin Hinshelwood, Dean Wilkins, Kim Eaton and myself – did everything: coaching, strength and conditioning, the medical side, the scouting side – everything. There are certainly many more members of the academy now, in various roles across all age groups."

How did the move to Brighton come about in the first place?

"I was manager of the England Schoolboys team and the club, with George Petchey head of youth, asked me to come in and help run the Centre of Excellence. We had two – one at Worthing, one at Seaford, and I did the latter, with Steve Avory running the other. When he left, I took over the one at Worthing and was then asked to go full-time, initially working with the U18 squad."

Who was first-team manager at the time?

"Liam Brady. Back then, the first team at clubs were quite separate to the U18s, but to his credit, Liam and his assistant Gerry Ryan took a real interest in the youth side of things here. The financial situation at the club wasn’t great, which had a knock-on effect for us as it was a real struggle to keep players when bigger clubs came in for them. But we worked really hard and gradually we started to see the fruits of our labour."

With a small staff, were the hours even longer back then?

Vic Bragg chats to Albion men's first team head coach Fabian Hurzeler. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

"When I went full-time, I did the Under-18s in the morning, a bit of education with the boys in the afternoon, and then I had three nights at the Centre of Excellence as well. So yes, they could be long, long days. Everybody thinks in football you only work for an hour-and-a-half, that’s it, but nothing could be further from the truth. We had to work hard, we had to work together as a team and we had those really good part-timers too, people like Les Rogers and Colin Smart, who also played a big part in the success."

Can you remember the first player you signed?

"Well, here’s a story: when I first joined the club at Seaford, a certain Dean Hammond had been in the year before but wasn’t given an answer by the club. So his dad came in to see me and I said I’d give him a six-week trial. Within a week, I signed him – my first for the club – and he went on to play for our first team and later in the Premier League."

Is it a real buzz seeing the youngsters making their first-team debuts?

"You’re chuffed for them because it's very, very difficult to sign as a professional, let alone play for the first team. I used to say to the boys that the first contract is relatively easy, it’s getting your second one, when you're competing with senior pros, which is much harder.

You’ve coached 89 players who have gone on to play for the first team, but you’ve also coached 35 who have represented their country at various levels – with Lewis Dunk no doubt the standout with England’s senior team…

Lewis Dunk and Vic Bragg together, as the club held a special send off for the academy coach. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

"Lewis is a great lad, a good person too, and to reach the heights he has is fantastic. He was always a big lad but I just told him to work on his technical ability and we did a lot of work with him in that respect. He has reached the top of the tree and full credit to him because it's not easy to stay there. Lewis is a player, like Solly March – and Jack Hinshelwood now – who has never forgotten his days in our academy. He would never pass me at the training ground without having a chat, and the same with Solly and Jack – great pros and great lads."

Talking of England, didn’t you also coach Jermain Defoe at one point?

"I was assistant manager to Dave Parnaby with the England Under-16s, and later Under-18s manager – and we had Jermain in our group. I saw him last year at the training ground, when he was with Spurs, and we had a good chat. Dave’s boy Stuart also went on to play in the Premier League with Middlesbrough, likewise Peter Clarke at Everton, who went on to have a long career, so it was nice to play a part in their journeys."

Society has changed over the years, so have you had to adapt too, in terms of how you speak to and treat young players?

"I was never one to shout or swear, I didn’t like that. I didn't think that kids should be treated that way. Back in the day, if you weren't aggressive and shouting, it was perceived to be a weakness, but I tended not to think like that – I just wanted to treat the young players in the right way. It is a difficult profession to succeed in as it is, without someone hollering at you all the time."

What about coaching? Has that changed or are the fundamentals still the same?

"Well, the basics are still the same. If you can't pass the ball, if you can't control the ball, how are you going to play the way we play in the first team? You've got to be in control of the ball, be the boss of the ball, and if you can do that, then you've got a chance. You’ve got to get the basics right otherwise you’ve got no chance."

You’re a very humble man – but the tributes you’ve received since your retirement are testament to the amazing job you’ve done for the club, right?

"I’ve always just got on with the job and tried to help as many players as I could, but the tributes have been very touching. It’s then that it hits home what you’ve achieved. Over the past 30 years I’ve made friends for life, not only players but staff too, and that has meant as much to me as seeing the players succeed on the pitch."

Finally, what’s your message as you leave the club?

Solly March paid tribute to Vic Bragg after the academy coach retired in August. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

"I’ve been fortunate to work at a terrific football which has grown in stature after some difficult times in the past. I'd like to thank our chairman Tony Bloom for his very generous support of the club and Paul Barber for his and the directors’ development of the club. I'd like to thank the staff I have worked with over the years, especially the coaches, managers and players, for their help and support. I wish you all the very best for the future."

And here's a few messages from staff and players who have had the fortune to work with Vic over the years...

Vic Bragg alongside academy manager Ian Buckman. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“I have been privileged to work with Vic for the last 11 years and he has had a profound impact on me. He has inspired so many people during his career and his contribution to our players and their families will be unmatched. He always puts the young people in his care first and that has been reflected in the success of many of those young people in and out of football.” Academy manager Ian Buckman

“Thank you for everything you’ve done, Vic. You’ve had a massive impact on my career – both on the pitch and off it – and I’ll never forget that. You’re a legend of the football club and now’s the time to enjoy a great retirement. You deserve it.” Lewis Dunk

“Vic, you were one of the first people to welcome me when I signed and made it easy for me to settle in. You’re an absolute legend of the club and I still want those Mars bars this season when I score goals! Thank you.” Solly March

“Congratulations, Vic, on your retirement. A real unsung hero of the Albion and someone who’s helped so many players come through down the years.” Ex-player and manager Brian Horton

“The values that you shared and instilled in those young players will live with them forever, so be proud, Vic. I wish you well. Happy retirement, mate.” Dean Wilkins

“The hours you spent invested in us, going above and beyond, helped us to become the people we are today and the players we were on the pitch.” Tommy Elphick

“You’ve left Brighton & Hove Albion with a thriving academy, lots of top players coming through, and lots of our players, both young and even retired, who are very, very thankful for all you have done. Enjoy your retirement, Vic.” Chairman Tony Bloom