1934 - Our first season in existence was not a great one in terms of results. It was spent in the Warwick & District League Section A, and the final game of the campaign was a 5-1 defeat at home to Kineton Albion.

1945 - A Coventry & North Warwickshire League Division 2 game at home to Dunlop saw Brakes edge a 1-0 win.

1951 - Brakes go down to Hinckley Athletic at Middlefield Lane in the Birmingham Combination by three goals to two.

Team: Derek Spencer, George Palmer, Cedric Bennett, Ken Hawker, Les Latham, Fred Keeble, Jack Kirkaldie, Derek Bennett, Walter Soden, Hughie Morrow, Mickey French.

1964 - Three days after a 2-1 Midland Counties League win up in Lincolnshire at York Street, we faced Boston United again at the Windmill Gr - oops, sorry, no - the pitch was waterlogged, so the game took place on the Reserve pitch, and Brakes romped to a 7-0 win. 

Team: Peter Woodward, Geoff Coleman, Mick Lane, Colin Davis, Gordon Hancocks, Brian Jenkins, Ernie Ward, Cyril Parry, Ray Holmes, Peter Newbery, Barry Shorthose. 

1969 - Burton Albion were our visitors for a Midland Floodlit Cup tie at the Windmill Ground, the game ending in a 1-1 draw. Ray Holmes scored our goal on nine minutes. 

Also in this week’s edition of the Leamington Spa Courier, the club were forced to address rumours that they had been poaching local players…. 

1970 - A threadbare Brakes side goes down heavily at home to Ilkeston Town in the Midland Counties League. It was only our second home defeat of the season in the league. Local youngster Kevin Vale made his debut in this game. 

1979 - AP Leamington’s  unbeaten Southern League run of eight wins and three draws came to an end as they fell to defeat in their fourth league game in a week at Underhill against Barnet. 

Team: Alan Dulleston, Dennis Taylor, Frank Houston, Alan Jones, Tom Kilkelly, Roy Morton, Mick Keeley, Tommy Gorman, Duncan Gardner, Bobby Vincent, Steve Briscoe. Subs: Roger Bain. 

It had been a busy week at the club, with FA officials visiting the Windmill Ground to inspect it ahead of the formation of the new Alliance Premier League (Now the National League), of which Brakes would go on to become founder members after coming through an incredible run of 15 league and Birmingham Senior Cup games between the beginning of April and the middle of May. The club felt they were being hampered in their ambitions by the Birmingham County FA, who were insisting that the Senior Cup Final against Bedworth United be played at Walsall’s Fellows Park just 24 hours before Brakes had a vital Southern League fixture at Nuneaton Borough. 

1984 - AP Leamington were in midst of a mammoth run of 14 games in the final 32 days of what was a 67 game season, with the sheer number of games catching up with them as they battled to secure their Southern League Premier Division status. A home draw with Folkstone was played out on April 21st; Cliff Campbell scored our goal in the first half. There was more heartening news on the Youth Team, who made the final of the Midland Floodlit Youth League Cup. 

Team: Mick Lawrence, Terry Smith, Ian Britton, Clive Boxall, Malcolm Kavanagh, Phil Griffin, Graham McKenzie, Kim Casey , Nigel Shanahan, Cliff Campbell, Steve Rhodes (Kevin Kane). 

2001 - 

Leamington 2  Malvern Athletic 0

Midland Combination Division Two

Saturday 21st April 2001

By Roger Vincent

Morris Dancing and Rottweilers

A well-known wit once said that you should try everything in life at least once, except incest and Morris dancing. Maybe that short list should have included refereeing and could go part way to explaining an otherwise inexplicable taunt from a Brakes' fan: "the referee's a Morris-dancer".

This was a strangely, passion-less game, even the crowd (502) was quiet. In truth this was a gentle stroll in the sun. I noticed that Malvern had been the warmest place in Britain the day before; some of that had carried over to the NWG and players were actually taking drinks during stoppages. The pitch was dry and bumpy as the quagmire of recent weeks had dried to solid, clay peaks around boot marks. Consequently there was little good football with both teams humping long balls up the middle.

Brakes went ahead with 2 goals in quick succession just before half-time, Baz Shearsby after a Glen Webb free-kick and Josh Blake, both headers, both largely opportunist. Momentarily it looked like a cricket score was in the offing to go with the weather.

But whilst Malvern never remotely looked like getting past another solid, Brakes' defensive display and a second-half effort from Glen Webb was the only other time Brakes came close. The good-natured repartee between the North Bank and their goalie lightened an otherwise dour game.

The comedian, Paul Merton, once said that when you can't think of anything funny to say in an unscripted show you insult somebody and it always gets a laugh. Maybe that's why the North Bank tried to wind up Malvern's feisty, diminutive no. 5 to break the deadlock. "I've passed larger ..... than you" and as the Bank's rottweiler strained at his leash: "Watch it mate, he thinks you're a bone". It has to be said that the rottweiler showed a greater appetite for the ball than most of our players and once headed the ball quite brilliantly back into play from the goal-line.

And that was it, really. After the game their no. 5, a nice chap, totally unfazed by the insults, enthused on what it was like to play in front of a crowd. "It's great, it raises your game - it'll be a miracle if you go the whole season unbeaten because everybody wants to be the team that does it." But maybe a Morris side would have created more passion than we saw today.

Leamington: Paul O'Keeffe; Jon Burgess (Martin Beeston); Barry Shearsby; Will Payne; Stuart Hepburn ©; Adam Ball; Guy Rippon (Darren Timms); Simon Wickson; Josh Blake (Brian Agar); Glen Webb; Steve Thompson.

2007 - Brakes set a new points record in the Midland Alliance as they win away in Staffordshire…..

Rocester 0 Leamington 1

Saturday 21st April 2007

By David Hucker

Romans defeated by record Brakers

Brakes emerged victorious from his hard-fought game to set a new Polymac Services points record of 102, beating the mark achieved by Stourbridge in 2002/03.

The visiting fans who swelled the crowd to a season's best of 242 at Hillsfield saw an explosive start with Brakes taking the lead in the 2nd minute. An inswinging corner from the left by Jamie Towers cleared everyone crowded into the goalmouth and appeared to be going out of play. However, Nick Ward stuck out a hand and conceded a penalty which Towers put perfectly into the bottom left-hand corner.

Brakes nearly doubled the lead five minutes later when Josh Blake rounded two defenders only to see his shot well saved by young 'keeper Adam Alcock, who coped well under pressure throughout the afternoon. Rocester had a chance to equalise almost immediately, but Neil Bennett headed wide from captain Carl Allen's free-kick.

Towers was then fouled and took the free-kick himself, but the ball was cleared for a corner which came to nothing. Jon Adams had a long-range shot saved low down by Alcock and, on the stroke of half-time, Ben Mackey shot into the defensive wall after Brakes were awarded a free-kick in the penalty area when Alcock handled a back-pass.

With the wind getting stronger, play got more scrappy in the second half and neither side produced much in the way of flowing football. Brakes did try to pass the ball, whereas Rocester were content to hit long balls and try to run at the visitors' defence. The outstanding Andy Gregory, together with Adam Cooper and Martin Hier coped with just about everything that came their way and, when they were beaten, Jason Pearcey was equal to the task.

Towers put Mackey in with a good chance on 56 minutes, but the Brakes striker slipped in the penalty area at a crucial time. Then Towers ran into the area himself and set up Josh Blake who missed from close in. At the other end, substitute Lee Bagley shot straight at Pearcey when well-placed. Brakes final effort came In stoppage time, substitute Avun Jephcott's pass finding Jon Adams who shot over the bar.

Adam Cooper, Morton Titterton and Jon Adams were all booked but, unlike the match at Market Drayton on Tuesday, this was a disciplined performance and the reception that the referee received from the Brakes supporters coming off the field says more than I am allowed to put into words here. The returning Stuart Herlihy added strength in midfield and, in the absence of James Husband, former youth team player Tom James got his long-awaited chance to start on the left side.

After defeats at Oadby and Market Drayton Town, this was a welcome away victory for Brakes who now have a final league match at the New Windmill against Quorn to round off the season. Reflecting on the match, manager Jason Cadden said "I am well pleased to get the record number of points as it means that we win the league in style just as we did in the Midland Combination. We had to dig in today after getting the early goal and grind out a result under pressure. There were no injuries today and, hopefully, Adam Knight will have recovered from his hamstring injury and be available for selection on Tuesday. We are optimistic that James Husband will resume training on Thursday."

Brakes: Jason Pearcey, Jamie Towers, Martin Hier, Adam Cooper, Andy Gregory, Morton Titterton ©, Stuart Herlihy, Jon Adams, Ben Mackey (Martin Thompson 65), Josh Blake (Dave Pearson 74), Tom James (Avun Jephcott 68).

Subs Not Used: Craig Dutton; Richard Morris.

Rocester: Adam Alcock, Peter Johnson (Adam Soane 56), Carl Allen ©; Neil Bennett, Mark Ruddock, Richard Owen, Rory Maxwell, Nick Ward, Dave Shaw (Mark Hodson 56), Colin Fletcher (Lee Bagley 70), Martin Gadsby.

Subs Not Used: Andrew Smith. Steve McCormick, Karl Parker.

Attendance: 242

Man of the Match: Andy Gregory

2012 - 

Banbury United 1 Leamington 1 

Evostik Southern League Premier Division

Spencer Stadium, Banbury

Saturday 21st April 2012

Brakes cemented their status alongside Frome Town as the draw specialists of the Premier Division, playing out a stalemate for the 15th time this season at Banbury United, for whom a point all but guaranteed safety from relegation. 

In truth it has been an inability to turn the draws into wins that has prevented Leamington from remaining in the play off places, and they will now play their final game at home to Chesham unable to finish higher or lower than 7th place. Given the successes of previous seasons there will obviously be disappointment from supporters, players and management alike, but at times the signs have been there that this team is capable of performing to the standard required to lift them into a promotion chasing position. 

This was in essence a typical end of season fixture, although Banbury required the points for altogether different reasons. The outside chance Brakes had of snatching fifth spot evaporated inside the first half an hour with Chesham having taken a two goal lead that they would not relinquish against Frome, but the players and management were not likely to be aware of this. 

Danny Edmond saw a shot pushed behind by Nathan Vaughan early on but it was Leamington who created what other chances there were in an uneventful first 45 minutes. Lee Steele found Alex Taylor on the edge of the box, but his shot lacked the power to trouble Andy Kemp in the Banbury goal. The keeper was tested when saving Lee Chilton’s drive, and Jacob Blyth headed straight him when well placed, but he was beaten on 38 minutes when his defence failed to deal with drifting left wing cross to the far post, where veteran goal poacher Lee Steele was lurking to stab the ball home.

It was the only clear sight of goal that either side had in the first half, and though Craig Owen went very close with a powerful drive just after the break, Banbury were level 8 minutes in when Ricky Johnson was left unmarked to head home a corner from Ben Polk. Owen went close again through a free kick, but the equaliser galvanised the home side, and with their supporters suddenly vocal under the cover of the Town End they looked the more threatening side. Josh Blake, one of three ex Leamington players on the field in the second half, broke through the middle and looked as though he was having his shirt pulled, but with no whistle forthcoming he slipped the ball through for strike partner Johnson, who shot past Vaughan and wide from a superb position. 

Chilton should have put Brakes back in front when he blasted just over the bar from inside the area as the heavens opened to shower all at the Spencer Stadium with hail, and Steele almost capitalised on hesitancy in the Banbury defence to turn and shoot, but Kemp pushed the ball behind for a corner. Another free kick saw Chilton drive wide from the right. The conditions were causing players on both sides to lose their footing on the now greasy surface, but Banbury pushed again for the win that would see them clear of the bottom four. Blake almost got a toe on a shot that was poked through from the edge of the area, before Kemp saved well from a low driven shot by substitute David Kolodynski. 

Seeing a Brakes legend score against his old club would have been a bitter pill for the travelling fans to follow, but Josh Blake had the opportunity to do just that when he looked to be clear through the middle again. However, he chose to try and slip a pass to his left for Josh Cole, and the shot was crowded out by the retreating Leamington defence. He had another chance before the end but his shot was deflected behind. 

Paul Holleran’s men rallied in the final moments, and Kolodynski almost won it with a wicked curling effort that was pushed around the post by Kemp to keep his side on level terms and keep the game level, which overall was probably the right result. 

Banbury United: Andy Kemp, Joe Coleman, Tommy Kinch, Liam Dolman ©, Ben Thackeray, Ryan Howell, Danny Edmond (12 Dior Angus, 46), Josh Cole, Ricky Johnson, Josh Blake, Ben Polk. 

Subs not used: 13 Nick Kingston, 14 Liam Richardson, 15 Joe Eyre, 16 Howard Forinton.

Leamington: Nathan Vaughan, James Mace, Asa Charlton, Neil Barnfield, Jamie Hood ©, Liam Daly, Alex Taylor, Craig Owen (15 Matt Dodd, 71), Jacob Blyth, Lee Steele (12 David Kolodynski, 71), Lee Chilton. 

Subs not used: 14 Michael Tuohy, 16 James Husband, 17 Ian King.

Attendance: 564

Referee: Stuart Eagland

Assistant Referees: Gareth Viccars & Karl Tribe

Man of the Match: Jamie Hood.

2014 - Brakes fans had a fantastic day in Cheltenham, and this ‘nothing to play for’ away game against Gloucester City turned out to be one of the most entertaining games of the season…. 

Gloucester City 3 Leamington 3

The Skrill North

Abbey Business Stadium, Cheltenham

Monday 21st April 2014

Leamington dished out some injury time heartache of their own in a Bank Holiday cracker at the Abbey Business Stadium.

Gloucester City had snatched all three points back in August with a 90th minute winner as Brakes learnt some harsh lessons in the early months of their debut season in Conference North. There is no doubt that the squad has improved since then, and while there was nothing riding on this clash with both teams safely away from the drop zone the game, while not always pleasing on the eye, was certainly full of incident.

The first half chance fell to Peter Till inside the opening couple of minutes, but his header from Ricky Johnson’s knock on was simple for Tigers keeper Conor Thompson, whose huge kick upfield was chested down by Will Morford on the edge of the area for strike partner Adam Mann, who lashed it first time into the bottom corner of the net. 

Three minutes later Gloucester left Leamington shell shocked as they added a second goal. Moving the ball swiftly out of defence out to the left wing, Matt Groves threaded a superb ball between the retreating Brakes defenders for Lewis Hogg to strike low towards goal. Tony Breeden got a leg to the shot but it rebounded straight to Morford, who slotted it straight back past him into the near corner. It certainly looked as though Stephan Morley could have easily cleared it off the line but he appeared to think the ball was going wide until it was too late. 

Paul Holleran had utilised his squad to the full making four changes from Saturday’s starting eleven, and despite the double early blow they set about trying to drag themselves back into the game. Johnson headed Till’s cross just wide, while Morley struck a free kick won by Matt Dodd straight at Thompson. 

The deficit was halved on 14 minutes however, Lee Moore’s flick on from Breeden’s kick forward saw Ricky Johnson easily shrug off Jack Harris and waiting for the ball to sit up for him, he thumped it past Thompson from 12 yards. 

A sharp turn and shot from the goal scorer was blocked as Brakes pushed for the leveller but it was Gloucester who came closest to adding to the scoreline, Morford’s initial effort being well blocked by Liam Daly but the ball was played back in to Mann, whose curling effort around Breeden struck the bar before being cleared away. Marcus Giglio then sent an acrobatic effort just wide as City looked capable of adding to their tally every time they attacked. 

James Mace saw his goalbound header from Reece Flanagan’s right wing corner cleared off the line by Mike Green. The home fans were up in arms shortly before half time when Breeden raced out of his area to clear the ball away but struck it against his arm in the process, Referee Neil Radford deciding that it had been accidental. 

Billy Jones lashed a free kick just wide in the second half as the two sides cancelled each other out a little. It wasn’t until the introduction of Lee Chilton and Danny Newton that Leamington began to really look capable of snatching another goal, Chilton driving a shot just wide, but their hopes were quickly dashed when a clever piece of play saw Gloucester substitute Nat Jarvis just beat the offside trap to dash in from the right and poke the ball across the goal line for Mann to tap in his second of the game with ten minutes to go. 

Four minutes later however, it was game on again. Newton had already come close with a shot across goal that had drifted just wide of the far post, but when Dodd ran at the Tigers defence and pushed the ball back into his path he took a touch and crashed it low past Thompson to bring Brakes back within a goal of their hosts. 

The travelling support had been in full voice throughout the afternoon, but seemed to crank up the volume higher still in the closing minutes in an attempt to drive their team on. Daly pushed up front, and he set up Newton for a volley that was off target and it looked as though it just wasn’t going to be Leamington’s day, but the newfound resilience in this team is impressive and they squeezed out one last chance in dramatic style in injury time. 

Another big clearance from Breeden was met by a cushioned header from Daly just outside the box that dropped perfectly into the path of Dodd, who then sent the ball into the box from the right, where Daly rose above two defenders to power a header towards goal. The ball was kept out by Conor Thompson, Jack Harris desperately blocked Newton on the line, Chilton couldn’t quite force it in but it was poked out as far as the inrushing Dodd, who slammed it into the roof of the net to the absolute joy of all inside the ground of a Leamington persuasion. Brakes had kept their unbeaten run intact right at the last, and go into the season's finale at home to Colwyn Bay on Saturday still in with a chance of breaking the 50 point barrier. 

Gloucester City: Conor Thompson, Mike Green, Billy Jones, Ruaridh Winters (16 Matt Coupe, 62), Jack Harris, Marcus Giglio (12 Tom Webb, 84), Lewis Hogg ©, Matt Groves, Adam Mann, Will Morford (15 Nat Jarvis, 73), Jake Gosling. 

Subs not used: 14 Joe Parker, 17 Ed Williams.

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Ryan Higgins, Stephan Morley ©, Nathan Hicks, Liam Daly, James Mace, Matt Dodd, Reece Flanagan, Ricky Johnson (15 Danny Newton, 70), Lee Moore (12 Lee Chilton, 70), Peter Till (14 Aron Wint, 75).

Subs not used: 16 David McNamee, 17 Craig Owen. 

Attendance: 527

Referee: Mr Neil Radford

Assistant Referees: Mr Simon Gudger & Mr Stuart Jack

Brakes Man of the Match: The 12th man - the travelling support!!

2018 - Four years later, the returning Matty Dodd was the hero once more, bagging another late equaliser to earn Brakes the point at Bootham Crescent that kept them in the National League North on another memorable April 21st…. 

York City 2 Leamington 2

Vanarama National League North

Bootham Crescent 

Saturday 21st April 2018

A rollercoaster afternoon in the city of York ended with Leamington celebrating a tremendous achievement as they confirmed Vanarama National League North safety with a game to spare with a creditable draw at the Bootham Crescent home of York City. 

With score lines in the games affecting Brakes changing almost constantly throughout the afternoon it was difficult to keep track of the potential permutations, but in the end it didn’t matter as Paul Holleran’s men took control of their own destiny thanks to a superb last minute goal from substitute Matty Dodd. 

It was clear to see how much confidence the victory over Chorley had installed in the players in the early stages, as kitted out in a strange looking combination of Gold shirts and White shorts they went toe to toe with the play off chasing Minstermen. Callum Gittings drove a low strike straight at keeper Adam Bartlett, while Aidan Connolly cut in from the right and curled in a low drive that Tony Breeden was forced to push behind for a corner. 

York skipper Sean Newton backheaded well wide from a left wing corner as Brakes continued to frustrate their hosts, pushing them back into their own half from another attack with some fine pressing. The hosts came close when Breeden made a superb save from Simon Heslop’s powerful strike, James Mace well placed on the line to block the follow up from Newton.

Connolly blazed a rising shot out of the ground after working himself into a good position, while Jack Edwards cracked a half volley just wide, but Leamington would hit the front two minutes before half time. A free kick swung into the penalty area from the left by Gittings was put into his own net by the unfortunate Alex Kempster. 

At half time with Gainsborough and Tamworth both winning it was the perfect position to be in. 

York were still well in with a shout of finishing the season in the play off positions however, and began the second half with more intent. Connor Brown cut in from the right and fired a shot well wide, Josh Law curling another effort wide of the target, but York were level 11 minutes in, Newton slamming the loose ball home after Breeden had made a great save from Connolly. 

The Minstermen’s number 11 continued to cause problems for Leamington, firing in another effort that Breeden held onto before David Ferguson crashed a shot high over the bar. The Brakes skipper was called into action once more as he did well to hold onto a volley from City substitute Connor Smith.

Leamington were understandably starting to look a little leggy in their second game in less than 48 hours, and Breeden was forced into another save from Newton with the packed terrace behind the goal baying for a second goal, and they got their wish with 4 minutes remaining. Breeden made yet another fine save, this time from Adriano Moke, but was powerless to prevent Newton from heading in on the follow up. 

Brakes were flat on their backs now but they picked themselves up for one final push and were rewarded in spectacular fashion when Dodd rose with a defender to meet fellow substitute Liam Canavan’s left wing cross and glance a header into the top corner to the delight of the 107 travelling supporters behind the goal. Every single player ran to join Dodd as he wheeled off in celebration, and minutes later it was mission completed as the final whistle went. Leamington had picked up the point they needed to complete a remarkable season that really is up there with the club’s finest achievements in the last 18 years. To compete in such a strong league with clubs several times their size and with far more financial clout is no mean feat, and every single player who has pulled on the shirt this season deserves great credit, along with Paul Holleran and his staff. 

Next Saturday the party can really begin, as Brakes welcome newly crowned champions Salford City to the Phillips 66 Community Stadium.  

Attendance: 2,350 (107 Brakes)

York City: Adam Bartlett, Connor Brown (14 Jonny Burn, 82), David Ferguson, Hamza Bencherif, Daniel Parslow, Adriano Moke, Sean Newton ©, Simon Heslop, Alex Kempster (16 Connor Smith, 72), Josh Law, Aidan Connolly.

Subs not used: 12 James Gray, 18 Luke Simpson, 19 Clovis Kamdjo.

Leamington: Tony Breeden ©, Junior English, Connor Gudger, Joe Magunda (12 Matt Dodd, 57), Jamie Hood, James Mace, Kieran Dunbar, Callum Gittings, Daniel Udoh, Jack Edwards 15 Kurtis Revan, 88), Ahmed Obeng (16 Liam Canavan, 82).

Subs not used: 14 Richard Taundry, 17 Shay Nicholson. 

Referee: Mr Adam Herczeg

Assistant Referees: Mr Jonny Urwin & Mr Steven Lennon

Brakes Man of the Match: Callum Gittings.

Can Brakes make April 21st 2025 another day in our history to remember???