This is clearly a challenging moment for everyone at the club and not where we had wanted to be. This has been an incredible season full of new experiences and opportunities that have challenged us but left us with some great memories such as hosting Man Utd PL2 in the National League Cup with a gate of 3000, beating Notts County to reach the 2nd round of the FA Cup and hosting the 3rd round draw and the team putting in some terrific league performances with wins over teams that will be contesting the play-offs. However, the long season caught up with us and we plan now for next season’s campaign in National League North.

The club has been on a journey of continued success over many years from Southern League to National North and then last season making the step to the National League. This is a bump in the road on that journey. Everyone at the club is more determined than ever to get back into the National League as quickly as possible while fully recognising how challenging this will be.

This is a moment and opportunity to recognise the enormous work and commitment of so many people across the club – the players and management team, staff, volunteers and the amazing backing the team has enjoyed from our supporters. A small town has got behind a team punching above our weight as one of only two part-time sides at Step 1. Everyone should feel proud of that work and commitment despite the disappointment of not achieving our goal yet of establishing Brackley Town at National League level.

I want to offer a special word of thanks to our volunteers without whom the club could not survive. The volunteer team has grown and taken on even greater responsibilities over the past twelve months. You have been exceptional and I wish to thank each and every one of you. We go again!

To our brilliant and loyal supporters - thank you. Home support has continued to grow and a hardy band has travelled literally thousands of miles to follow the team and get behind the players. It has been hugely appreciated.

From disappointment and frustration at this season’s outcome we gather renewed energy and determination to go again. Planning for the new season is underway with Andy and his team working on player recruitment. The club has continued to develop facilities at St James Park throughout the season including new TV gantry, improved arrangements for segregated games, additional catering outlets and the new Bar 1890. During pre-season there will be a major investment in pitch renovation. Behind the scenes there will be further changes including the greater engagement with supporters through the newly set up Supporter Group.

Relegation is a set-back but that is all. The board has exciting plans to continue to take the club forward and the ambition to do that continues to drive us on so that we can compete at the highest level possible and continue to grow and develop all aspects of our community and family-focused club strengthening the club’s place in our town.
We have learned a lot from this season and that experience will support our plans going forward.

We have two league games remaining. The game against Aldershot next Saturday is the last home game - I hope you will get along to St James Park to get behind the team so that on the pitch we can finish the season on a high. The players have given everything through a long, hard season and deserve a rousing finale on home soil.

We go forward as a united team.
We Are Brackley.

Matt Wise
Chairman