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Saints Storming: Brackley Town’s Pre-Season Charge Lights Up National League Ambitions

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Overview

Brackley Town FC, the Northamptonshire-based outfit, earned promotion to the National League as National League North Champions on May 28, 2025, capping a dominant campaign. Led by manager Gavin Cowan, the Saints are gearing up for their debut in the fifth tier of English football. Known for their tight-knit squad and passionate fanbase, Brackley aim to solidify their place in the National League while eyeing a potential playoff push.

Pre-Season Schedule and Results

Brackley Town has completed seven pre-season friendlies, with one final match scheduled before the National League campaign kicks off. The pre-season featured a mix of EFL, non-league, and Premier League youth opposition, testing the squad’s mettle. All home games were played at St. James Park. Below are the results and the upcoming fixture:

  • Saturday, July 5, 2025: Brackley Town 0-0 Northampton Town (H)
    A gritty goalless draw against the EFL League One side, showcasing Brackley’s defensive resilience but highlighting a need for sharper finishing.
  • Saturday, July 12, 2025: FC Isle of Man 0-3 Brackley Town (A)
    A dominant performance against non-league opposition, underlining the squad’s clinical edge.
  • Tuesday, July 15, 2025: Brackley Town 0-2 MK Dons (H)
    A defeat to the EFL League Two side, exposing vulnerabilities against higher-tier opposition.
  • Saturday, July 19, 2025: Chelmsford City 2-3 Brackley Town (A)
    A thrilling win against National League South opposition, showing attacking promise.
  • Tuesday, July 22, 2025: Brackley Town 2-1 Leicester City U21s (H)
    A narrow victory, demonstrating resilience against pacey opposition.
  • Saturday, July 26, 2025: Halesowen Town 0-4 Brackley Town (A)
    A commanding display against non-league opposition, highlighting squad depth.
  • Tuesday, July 29, 2025: Stourbridge 1-0 Brackley Town (A)
    A narrow loss to non-league opposition, indicating a need for defensive adjustments.
  • Saturday, August 2, 2025: Stratford Town (A), 15:00 BST
    The final pre-season friendly against non-league opposition offers a crucial test before the season opener.

The pre-season record (4 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses) reflects a solid preparation, with Brackley showcasing attacking flair, scoring 14 goals in seven games. However, conceding 6 goals suggests defensive tweaks are needed. The Stratford Town match, will be key for final preparations.

Squad Analysis

Key Players

  • Connor Hall (Forward): The talismanic striker, who scored 22 goals in the National League North last season, remains the focal point of Brackley’s attack.
  • Morgan Roberts (Midfielder): A creative force, Roberts showcases his ability to unlock defenses with vision and flair.
  • Danny Waldron (Forward): The new signing adds versatility to the frontline with his knack for crucial goals.
  • Michael Nottingham (Defender): His experience at centre-back makes him a vital asset for Cowan’s system.

New Signings

Brackley have made strategic additions to prepare for the National League’s intensity:

  • Ryan Haynes (Left-Back): A 29-year-old Englishman, signed on a free transfer from Cheltenham Town (League Two), bringing EFL experience and defensive solidity.
  • Michael Nottingham (Centre-Back): A 36-year-old St. Kitts & Nevis international with English roots, joined from Livingston FC (Scotland Premiership) on a free transfer, adding veteran presence to the backline.
  • Danny Waldron (Centre-Forward): A 29-year-old Englishman, signed from Southend United (National League) on a free transfer, bolstering the attack with proven goal-scoring ability.
  • Kyle Morrison (Centre-Back): A 29-year-old Englishman, joined from Kidderminster Harriers (National League North) on a free transfer, strengthening the defensive core.
  • Cameron Gregory (Goalkeeper): A 25-year-old Englishman with Indian heritage, signed from Boston United (National League) on a free transfer, providing competition in goal.
  • Zak Brown (Central Midfield): A 24-year-old Englishman, joined from Kidderminster Harriers (National League North) on a free transfer, adding energy to the midfield.

Departures

  • Alfie Bates (Central Midfield): The 24-year-old Englishman moved to Tamworth FC (National League) on a free transfer.
  • Liam Cross (Central Midfield): The 22-year-old Englishman joined St. Ives Town on a free transfer.
  • Danny Newton (Centre-Forward): The 34-year-old Englishman transferred to Harborough Town on a free transfer.
  • George Carline (Right-Back): The 32-year-old Englishman moved to Harborough Town on a free transfer.
  • Alex Gudger (Centre-Back): The 32-year-old Englishman joined Halesowen Town on a free transfer.
  • Dempsey Arlott-John (Right Midfield): The 23-year-old Englishman with Antiguan and Barbudan heritage transferred to Harborough Town on a free transfer.
  • Jez Abbey (Attacking Midfield): The 22-year-old Dutch-Ghanaian moved to Stourbridge FC on a free transfer.
  • Shepherd Murombedzi (Midfielder): Moved to Rushall Olympic on a free transfer.
  • James Armson (Midfielder): Joined Buxton FC on a free transfer.
  • Theo Robinson (Forward): Signed with AFC Telford United on a free transfer.
  • Jimmy Knowles (Forward): Transferred to Curzon Ashton on a free transfer.

The departures reflect significant squad turnover, with the loss of experienced players requiring the new signings to step up quickly.

Managerial Outlook

Gavin Cowan, in his second stint with Brackley, brings proven success after guiding the club to the National League North title. His pragmatic 4-4-2 system emphasizes defensive organization and quick transitions, with Connor Hall and Danny Waldron spearheading the attack. Cowan’s focus on squad cohesion and local fan engagement will be key in navigating the National League’s challenges, especially with a heavily reshaped squad.

Expectations for 2025-26

Brackley Town’s National League campaign begins on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at home against Eastleigh at 15:00 BST. Eastleigh, who finished the 2024-25 season with 67 points (18 wins, 13 draws, 15 losses), are a mid-table National League side with a balanced squad but vulnerabilities in defence, which Brackley could exploit with their potent attack. A mid-table finish (10th–14th) is a realistic goal for the Saints, but with Cowan’s tactical acumen and players like Hall, Roberts, Waldron, and new signings like Nottingham and Haynes, a playoff push (top 7) is possible if the squad adapts quickly to the changes. The pre-season, with strong results against varied opposition, has battle-tested the team, setting the stage for a competitive debut season.

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