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When Paul Holleran joined Leamington back in 2009, he told the local press that he wanted to make Leamington an established Step 3 club.

Fast forward fifteen years and, still in the dugout on Harbury Lane, the now experienced manager has a track record in Step 3 that any non-league manager would dream of having. 

The first major success for Holleran at Leamington came in season 2012/13 when his Warwickshire outfit set new records in winning the Southern Premier League and bringing National League football back to Leamington for the first time in 30 years. Finishing twelve points clear of closest challengers Stourbridge, the Brakes were crowned champions as a young and exciting team with the likes of Richard Batchelor, Liam Daly, Lee Chilton and Craig Owen.

After a two year spell in the National League North, Leamington suffered second season syndrome and were relegated but that didn't harm them. In 2015/16, Holleran guided his side to the Play Off Final, losing out to Hungerford, but once again producing good, young players such as Sam Austin, future Leamington captain Jack Edwards and Courtney Baker-Richardson in the striker's first season at the club.

That defeat only made them bounce back stronger in the following season. A second placed finish led to a home Play Off Semi Final win against a strong Slough Town side and therefore a Play Off Final, which Leamington won at home to secure promotion once again, at Hitchin Town's expense.

The trend of developing players from lower leagues continued, the afforementioned Baker-Richardson scored the winner in the Final and bagged a move to then Premier League Swansea City. Ahmed Obeng and Rob Thompson-Brown were also standouts who broke through in that promotion sealing season. 

A six season stint with some of the largest clubs in non-league followed but after relegation in 2022/23, no one expected Leamington to bounce straight back up but as Leamington FCTV commentator Shaun Cashmore perfectly described at full time in a Play Off Final at a sold out New Bucks Head at well backed AFC Telford United, "Paul Holleran has pulled a rabbit out of the hat once more!"

This promotion, as well as being unexpected in terms of the game - not just the entire season - with 5,000 packed into New Bucks Head, really emphasised Holleran's Leamington DNA built in his fifteen years at the club. Young players joined from below - Callum Stewart from Coventry Sphinx, Jiah Medrano from Shepshed Dynamo, Ewan Williams from Coleshill Town, Josh Quaynor from a Halesowen side who were playing in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands last campaign; and these players were blended perfectly once again with experience to create that winning formula.

So, in his last four seasons at Step 3, Paul Holleran has got Leamington promoted three times and reached the Play Off Final on the other occasion. He's shown that financial limitations are no barrier to success at the level and picking up young players from below and developing them works just as well as signing players from divisional rivals and putting them on big money.

You can speak to the manager on Thursday night at Your Co-op Community Stadium as we host a Meet the Manager & Call to Arms event. Doors (and the bar) open at 7pm with Play Off Final footage with the event set to start at 7:30pm.

And yes, we'll save the Birmingham Senior Cup wins for next time...

Following the Brakes excellent Play-Off Final win at AFC Telford United Season 2024-25 will see the team once again ply their trade in the Vanarama National League North.  

We will take the field of play against Kidderminster Harriersplus perennial rivals Brackley Town,together with visits to Scunthorpe United and South Shields plus newcomers Radcliffe and Marine to name but a few.

Whilst reviewing admission and season ticket prices the club has had to factor in that costs have risen considerably in the past two years whilst admission and season ticket prices had remained static.  The season ahead also sees us return to a twenty-four team league so an increase of four league fixtures.

Watching football at ourYour Co-op Community Stadium is even more affordable if you take advantage of the clubs 'Early Bird' Season Ticket Offer with a deadline for applications of 30 June, 2024.  You can purchase your season ticket online here, or by using our paper application form here.

‘Early Bird’ Season Tickets are:

Adults £240,
Concessions £164,
Students £131,
Under18 £47,
Children Under 12 FREE.  

These are great value with Adults gaining entry for £10.40 per game, Concessions £7.10, Students £5.70 and Under 18’s £2.04.

Season Tickets purchased after 30th June are priced at:

Adults £252,
Concessions £174,
Students £139,
Under 18 £52,
Children Under 12 FREE.

We have however made the difficult decision to increase Adult, Concession, Student and U18 admission prices by a £1 for the season ahead with Children U12 remaining FREE.

Admission Prices for Season 2024-25 are:

Adults £15,
Concessions £11,
Students £8,
U18 £5,
Children U12 FREE.

The influx of young supporters these past two seasons has been great to see, re-invigorating the atmosphere both home and away. All the season ticket price increases are relatively modest and reflect good value particularly in view of the additional two home games.

Registered players (Under 16) of Leamington Juniors FC will, when accompanied by an adult and on production of their membership card, be given FREE entry.  This applies to League games only (not cup ties or play-off matches).

Chairman Jim Scott commented, 'We have done everything that we can to keep the price of watching football at our Your Co-op Community Stadium affordable.  We are hopeful of your understanding on this matter recognising that supporters are the lifeblood of our club’.

In an initiative to support local football clubs, UK-based football supplier The Soccer Store have made a donation of Mitre footballs to Leamington FC. These high-quality training balls will be used by all sections of the club.

Jack Hart from The Soccer Store said, “Our commitment to deveoping relationships with football clubs across the UK remains strong. We are thrilled about our new partnership with Leamington FC and confident that the Mitre training footballs will significantly benefit the club's daily activities.”

Max Passantino, Head of Media at Leamington FC added, "We are grateful to The Soccer Store for their kind donation of balls to the club. They will not only greatly benefit our first team when they return to training as we gear up for our return to the National League, but will also provide new equipment for our projects as we continue to strive to be at the heart of the community in Leamington and Warwick."

The Soccer Store is renowned for its exceptional customer service and supplies to football clubs and schools throughout the UK. As a leading distributor of training and match footballs, their offerings include an extensive range of equipment essentials for training sessions and match days from trusted brands such as Mitre, Samba Sports, and Progoal.

For those interested in exploring the complete selection of Football Training Equipment, Football Goals, and Mitre Footballs, visit The Soccer Store’s website for more details.