Bracknell Town boss Matt Saunders has gone viral for the comments he made after a late 2-0 defeat to Gloucester City, declaring that he won’t be “letting people drag this football club down.”
His raw and rather unfiltered thoughts after the loss in the defeat in the Southern League Premier South, that leave his side bottom on five points from 10 games, have gained over 8M views on X.
Saunders has come in for a mix of praise and criticism across social media for those comments which include condemning players that would rather “drink after games” and “ultimately aren’t athletic enough.”
Matt Saunders speaks to us after the defeat to Gloucester City. 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/toY5dncvcI
— Bracknell Town FC (@BracknellTownFC) October 13, 2025
The Tigers by comparison are up to second with eight wins from their opening 11, and were always going to prove a tough test for Saunders’ side.
The manner in which the Robins fell though will be the main frustration after holding a superior side until the 81st minute when Elis Watts opened the scoring.
That was followed by Aaron Wildig doubling the advantage just inside the regulation 90, leaving his opposition manager seething.
Full Time. ⏹️ pic.twitter.com/iwrkHyKJDI
— Bracknell Town FC (@BracknellTownFC) October 13, 2025
“I said from day one when I came in, people are either going to show me they’re capable or they’re not. I’ve got a 19 year old from Notts County come in, have one training session.
“This is his second game with the group. And he’s like a warrior out there doing his job. He’s like one of our best players.
“You’ve got Noah McCann at middle centre back doing his job. And we’ve got senior lads that can’t do it, unfortunately. And I’ve given them enough time.
“And listen, people will see that I’ve also got rid of other players that ultimately aren’t athletic enough, aren’t professional and I’m not going to let this football club be dragged down by people that can’t run, can’t look after their body, want to go and drink after games, it ain’t happening.
“So, it’s very clear to me now, it’s been very clear to me from probably a week of being here, what the problem’s been and why this club’s been where it’s been and again today is another example of exactly that and people can say, you should protect the players, should do this, not when we’re not professional enough to be fit and to be able to run.”
Today, the club can confirm the departure of long-time servant Michael Eacott.
— Bracknell Town FC (@BracknellTownFC) October 14, 2025
Michael joined us ahead of the 2021/22 season from Sutton Common Rovers and has been outstanding across 186 appearances, keeping 59 clean sheets.
He played a pivotal role in our title-winning… pic.twitter.com/qkgdS2t54i
Issues with the more experienced players remained a consistent theme throughout the rant, and multiple players “long-time servants” have subsequently departed.
Fitness concerns were at the forefront after the match in which Gloucester enjoyed 57% of possession; Bracknell also committed 11 fouls to the Tigers’ two, perhaps validating Saunders’ thoughts that his side were off the pace for the most part.
“The young lads have produced and the senior lads have offered nothing. And when you get a team when our senior lads aren’t offering anything, it’s very hard because they’re meant to be the ones that drag you through.
“So yeah, if I have to make more changes than I will, because I’m not letting this football club be dragged down by people that can’t run. They don’t want to do the basics well. They don’t want to eat well. They don’t want to live right.
“Because look at Gloucester. They’re all fit. They’re all lean. They can all run. You’ve got Ben Richards-Everton that comes on, that’s played, I tried to get him when we were at Wealdstone, he’s played at a really good level.
“You’ve got Ed Williams in midfield, played at a high level, they could be entitled, but they’re not, they’re all fit, they’re lean, they’re built like professional footballers. We’re not.”
Today, the club can confirm the departure of long-time servant Ethan Burden.
— Bracknell Town FC (@BracknellTownFC) October 14, 2025
Ethan has been a loyal and dedicated member of the club, making 158 appearances and scoring 4 goals.
A true team player, Ethan has always given everything for the badge — on and off the pitch. His… pic.twitter.com/M13q6tbbye
Saunders himself had a relatively short playing career, making 123 appearances across clubs including Dagenham & Redbridge, Hemel Hempstead Town, and an earlier career loan at Lincoln City.
The 35-year-old former midfielder came through at Fulham but never made an appearance for the London-based side, ending his 10-year career in 2019.
Continuing from his thoughts on Gloucester: “And that’s why ultimately, that is what decides games.”
“You cannot, that’s the reason why people retire, that’s the reason why I retired, because I couldn’t run anymore. I was a good technical player, but I couldn’t run.
“So ultimately, if you can’t run, you cannot play football.”
Highlights from last nights defeat to Gloucester. 🎥 @ClubberFootball pic.twitter.com/GtghotSXnp
— Bracknell Town FC (@BracknellTownFC) October 14, 2025
Some reaction from the viral video:
@matt784101: As someone who goes home and away, Just as pissed off with that interview as I was when I saw it yesterday. Hardly helping with morale and alienating the experienced players who can help get us out of this mess. Youth and loans aren’t the answer, not taken by him so far
@TheRazorRayJ: I just wish he’d get off the fence and say what he thinks
@Rog0109: Bit harsh that ! Not sure I can agree senior players let the side down . Competed well & looked organised against a very good side . Too much emotion involved when doing these interviews immediately after full time
@bsj84026: Chucking the senior players under the bus. That’s going to go well
@ReeceDSport: Playing for Bracknell and not being allowed a pint after the game. Talk about taking yourself too seriously
Bracknell next play Chertsey Town, away, on Saturday, October 18 in a game where redemption will be the key theme.
Meanwhile, Gloucester take on Poole Town at Tigerturf Stadium, hoping to keep their good form alive.
Up Next: Chertsey Town. pic.twitter.com/TJ0xC1OccC
— Bracknell Town FC (@BracknellTownFC) October 15, 2025
