Tesfaye Bramble

Southend striker Tes Bramble marked the start of his loan spell with a debut goal at Leyton Orient and followed up with a goal on his home debut that the Abbey Stadium faithful are still talking about.

Signed on loan last month to boost United's attacking options until the end of the season, 24-year-old Tes started his playing career as a schoolboy with hometown club Ipswich Town.

The older brother of Newcastle defender Titus, Tes was released (ironically, for a lack of height at that time) at the age of 18 but had two successful seasons with Chelmsford Town before joining Cambridge City in the summer of 2000.

After just six months and some eye-catching performances for City, he earned a belated move into professional football when Southend manager Dave Webb swooped to sign him in January 2001.

"I don't know if there was any interest from Cambridge United at that time," he says, when asked. "I had a trial at Tranmere and when I went back to City I found out that Southend were interested.

"When I was at City I always had an ambition of playing at a higher level - I looked on that as a stepping stone - so I was really pleased when Dave Webb gave me the chance to play League football.

"I signed on the Friday, I was on the bench the next day against Leyton Orient, and then I started the next games, so I was thrown straight in."

Tes has scored regularly for the Shrimpers in the last three seasons, and also earned international recognition when former Norwich star Ruel Fox asked him to play for Montserrat.

"I was just coming back from injury and he asked me to go out there and look at the facilities, so I went there when they had a couple of games in a tournament in St Kitts," Tes explains.

"It went well and I played and scored in the second game, so when they have some more games he's going to contact me and see if it will be possible to sort it out with my club to play again."

This season, with Freddy Eastwood in prolific form and Wayne Gray and Lawrie Dudfield also vying for positions up front, Tes began to struggle to feature in Steve Tilson's starting line-up at Southend.

After speaking to the manager about his lack of opportunities, he was glad to eventually be offered the chance to come on loan to Cambridge United, where he is well known to former Shrimpers manager and U's number two Rob Newman.

Rob Newman and Tes Bramble at Southend

"I think Cambridge had tried to get me before but Southend wouldn't let me go," Tes reveals, "but then last month the manager told me Cambridge were still interested. He said he didn't want me to go, but he would leave the decision with me.

"My contract is up at the end of the season and I wanted to get out and play first team football, so I decided to come here to try and show what I can do.

"Rob told me about the place and that he wanted me here, he told me about the club's situation, and I was delighted to come here and play first team football."

Tes made a dream debut with a goal on his debut at Leyton Orient, when he started on the left wing but moved up front when John Turner was replaced, and scored United's equaliser within two minutes of the switch.

"The manager told me that I'd be starting on the wing when I first got here and I don't mind playing out there," he says. "The chance to be starting games was why I came here, but given the choice I prefer to play through the middle."

Tes has been a fixture up front since then and he followed up with another goal in the next game, his home debut, with a 40-yard shot against Wycombe that many U's fans have already acclaimed as the goal of the season.

"I got the ball and there were a few defenders in front of me and I didn't really have much support," he recalls, "so I took a touch, and I'm confident that I can shoot from distance so I just had a go and it went in the top corner."

Has he scored many better goals than that one?

"No, I don't think so," he smiles. "I scored a half-volley in the FA Cup against Hartlepool away, which brought us level and then we got the winner straight afterwards, so that was memorable, but the goal against Wycombe was probably the best goal I've ever scored in professional football."

While thoroughly relishing the chance to play regular first team football in his favoured position, Tes is also enjoying playing alongside Welsh veteran Iwan Roberts.

"He's been a great help with all of his experience and holding the ball up and flicking it on. I see myself as someone who can hold the ball up or do the running in behind, and playing with Iwan gives me the chance to run in behind so that's been a good experience. I'm enjoying playing with him.

"I know defenders don't like people running at them so when I get the chance I try to do it as well as I can."

It's so far, so good for Tes in his loan spell, and he speaks warmly about being here.

"I've really enjoyed being here and playing games. The lads and the management have all been really good, the spirit is great, the training facilities are decent, so everything's been going really well."

Asked the inevitable question about his future, Tes responds, "I'm not sure what's going to happen yet. My contract's up and I need to speak to Southend, but I think they're waiting to see if they go up.

"So I need to keep playing well for Cambridge and see what happens."

Andrea Thrussell

In The Hot Seat

Tes answers some questions from supporters:

Mike asks:
Tes, would you rate your goal against Wycombe as the best you've ever scored?

Yes, I'd probably say that it is the best goal I've ever scored. The one against Hartlepool in the FA Cup for Southend was important, but the one against Wycombe was probably the best.

James Hare and Deano among many other fans want to know:
Given the chance, would you sign a contract with Cambridge United in the summer?

It depends on if we stay up or not, because I don't really want to drop out of the League. Once you do that it can be hard to get back in, so we'll see what happens in the summer.

Rachel asks:
What team do you support?

I followed Arsenal, but being from Ipswich and a schoolboy there I still follow Ipswich, and obviously with my brother being at Newcastle I follow their results too.

NRE Boy asks:
Who's the best striker you've played alongside in your career?

That's a tough one. For sheer experience I would probably say Iwan Roberts because I'm learning a lot from him.

NRE Boy also asks:
What's the highlight of your career so far?

Making my professional debut was probably the highlight so far, along with playing at the Millennium Stadium in the LDV final with Southend last season, although we lost to Blackpool.

Ally asks:
Who's the best player you've played with, and against?

The best I've played with is probably Kevin Maher at Southend because he's great on the ball and he picks his passes out really well and finds your runs. The best I've played against is a tough one... I wouldn't like to say.

Jon asks:
How do you get on with your brother Titus?

We get on very well. He's been down here to watch me a few times - when we get time off we like to go to see each other play and see each other as much as we can.

Amber Psycho asks:
You're only a young pup so you may not have thought so far ahead, but what would you like to do when your playing career is finished?

Not yet, I haven't decided anything yet.

Amber Psycho also asks:
Do you ever get the chance to socialise with your brother and the Newcastle United lads?

Yes. More or less every time I get time off and go to watch him I go out with the Newcastle boys, and when we go on holiday in the summer.

Obviously I know Kieron Dyer because he comes back down here such a lot, and Jermaine Jenas as well.

Yellowcam asks:
Tes, when that goal went in against Wycombe, there was a stunned silence from the crowd for a few seconds. Were you as surprised as we all were that it went in?

Yes I was, to be fair, because when I hit it I thought it was going over and then it dipped at the last minute, so when I saw the net move then I was just delighted that it had gone in.

Ali Eren from Turkey asks:
I understand your brother was at the Fans United day at the Abbey Stadium. What does he think of Cambridge United?

He's been before. With Ashley Nicholls being here, who we knew from Ipswich, me and Titus have been to watch him a few times, so he's been before and he likes the stadium and thinks there's a good atmosphere.

A few quick questions from Danny:
Ferrari or Porsche?

Ferrari.

What's your favourite holiday destination?

Marbella.

Who has the best dress sense in the squad?

Apart from myself? Probably Shane Tudor.

And the worst?

Probably Marshy or Wozza.

*A shorter version of this interview appeared in the programme for the match against Rochdale on 23rd April, 2005.

Previous Featured Players:
05May05: Tom Newey
30Apr05: Adam Tann
23Apr05: Iwan Roberts
10Apr05: Stuart Bimson
17Mar05: Matt Somner
09Mar05: Daniel Chillingworth
24Feb05: Dan Gleeson
17Feb05: Shane Tudor
14Feb05: Richard Hodgson
07Feb05: Warren Goodhind
22Dec04: Darren Quinton
06Dec04: Andy Duncan
24Nov04: John Ruddy
22Oct04: Kingsley Mbome
13Oct04: Jermaine Easter
17Sep04: Justin Walker
09Sep04: John Turner
26Aug04: Luke Guttridge

Last season's Featured Players:
21May04: Your Players of the Year 2003/04
14May04: Ryan Lockett & Stephen Smith
06May04: Matt Robinson
21Apr04: Dan Gleeson
07Apr04: Jermaine Easter
31Mar04: Ashley Nicholls
12Mar04: Alex Revell
04Mar04: David Bridges
20Feb04: Fred Murray
13Feb04: Daniel Webb
02Feb04: Daniel Chillingworth
19Jan04: Shaun Marshall
04Jan04: Adam Tann
29Dec03: Gareth Williams
23Dec03: Franco Nacca
18Dec03: Shane Tudor
11Dec03: Andy Duncan
04Dec03: Stevland Angus
28Nov03: John Turner
21Nov03: Luke Guttridge
29Oct03: Stuart Bimson
21Sep03: Warren Goodhind
21Aug03: Dave Kitson
13Aug03: Justin Walker

Anything to say about the interview? Make your click count for the U's by discussing it on the Message Board!

You are respectfully reminded that any article, as with all content on this website (unless otherwise stated), is subject to copyright and the Official Cambridge United Website must be acknowledged as the original source.

AT050510