LeamingtonFC.co.uk

Paul Holleran sat down with local media on Thursday night to discuss Leamington's opening home game of the National League North season, after his side won promotion back to step two last season.

Looking ahead to Saturday, he said "The build up to the season has been fantastic, the hype around the National League - the quality of the league, the teams, the people. We know there’s a lot of hard work, it’s a really hard home opener against the form team if you take the final third of last season into account. They’ve still got the same old faces, Glen Taylor, (Rob) Ramshaw and others and they’re a really good club - Jason (Ainsley, former manager) is still involved there and we’ve had some tough games against them, some good days against them.

“They’re a top football club and we know it’s going to be hard on Saturday but we also know that if we’re to achieve anything this year then we’ve got to make sure we’re picking points up at home."

Holleran's side lost their opening game of the season away at full time outfit Buxton, but the hosts needed some fortune to beat part time Leamington with a hand being used in the direct buildup to the winning goal in the 95th minute.

Holleran added “The disappointment of how we managed the last few minutes at Buxton. We’ve all had a look back at it and listen, there was a few key points going into the final five minutes - the decision not to give Dan (Meredith) a penalty was very harsh, but the way we’ve managed the last minute of the game when we’ve got the ball deep in their half could be better but then listen, what you do expect in the National League is officials making correct decisions. There are some that you can sympathise with that the human eye wouldn’t see but if you’re not seeing handballs leading up to goals, you shouldn’t be reffing especially in the National League - it’s as simple as that.

“It was a harsh lesson for us but it’s good to learn those lessons early on in the season and it doesn’t take away from the positives in the game but we also know that in this division, if you’re sloppy you will get punished but as for Saturday - looking forward to getting a National League game back down here and everything that comes with National League football.”

The manager missed Saturday's game. Shortly after the 2023/24 season finished, he was treated for prostate cancer and while recovery has been largely going well, there are a few hiccups and one Friday night caused the much-loved gaffer to miss the season opener.

“My recovery (from prostate cancer) has gone really well," Holleran updated. "I haven’t got a problem with the removal of my prostate but where I’ve had a problem is with catheters. They’re what’s caused me a bit of grief. I was in fine form all week, taking training on Tuesday and Thursday and was looking forward to the game but sadly my water wasn’t passing Friday night and Saturday morning and sadly that’s a big red flag.

“I went in hospital early Saturday morning trying to get it sorted but sadly they made a mistake that caused me more problems so it turned out difficult and I was in there 11 hours. I’m not sure what upset me the most - the 95th minute goal or the staff nurse, but I’m a lot better now - I’ve had a few days to get over it.

“I can’t thank everyone enough who’s messaged and sent on their thanks. My recovery has gone really well but the only thing that’s hampered me is not being able to get rid of the catheter and when we have got rid of it, we’ve had a problem. I’m in good form now and looking forward to getting back on the touchline Saturday.”

Saturday's game gives Leamington fans the opportunity to watch their side play a National League North game at home for the first time in over a year, and speaking about the fans Holleran said “I think we picked up a few new fans last season, on the pitch and off the pitch we fought and scrapped - we looked out of the play off race at times but we all pulled together, players and fans, and went again. That’s the spirit of Leamington.

“In the end we ended up having some wonderful days that we all enjoyed together. The run in, the last 5-6 home games, playoffs, Leiston away where we outnumbered the home support - you want to see more days like that this season with a big coach load coming. It was unbelievable really, and like having that twelfth man.

“It’ll be different this year but you’ll see bigger games, better quality and last year we got used to winning lots of games away - the nature of the beast is that when we’re playing teams in this league we’ll have some tough days. We’ll also have some good days and they’re really enjoyable then. On the pitch and off the pitch we need to enjoy being a step two side again, but we also need to be competitive. Most of the time in the past we have been competitive.

“Our recruitment has been young and there’s a reason for that, but we’re really looking forward to it. I think one of the reason the fans keep coming is because they see a Leamington team every week leaving everything out on the pitch, they’re a bunch of good, honest, hard working lads and the fans see that.

“I was a fan when I was younger watching Blues (Birmingham City), I remember watching Steve Claridge. I used to come away - we didn’t win many games - but I always used to walk away going ‘look at the effort he’s putting in’ and we’ve got boys that have those ingredients and when fans see that, it makes them proud to support Leamington and they’ll always stick with you. When supporters get a hint that players aren’t doing what they can control - the running stats, effort and commitment - they’ll rightfully give them a hard time but our lads don’t do that. Same again, we’ll enjoy the journey and hopefully have something to cheer about.”

Kick off at Your Co-op Community Stadium on Saturday is 3pm, and tickets can be purchased online or on the gate.

National League North football returns to Warwickshire this Saturday after over a year away as Leamington host North East outfit Spennymoor Town at Your Co-op Community Stadium.

This game will NOT be segregated.

Tickets

You can purchase tickets online and on the gate. We recommend using our online ticketing portal to purchase your tickets in order to minimise queues at the turnstiles. On the day one turnstile will be signed for online tickets so you can easily scan your ticket and gain entry and another turnstile will be accepting card and cash payments.

Adult: £15
Over 60: £11
Student (with NUS Card): £8
Under 18: £5
Under 12: £0

Facilities

Your Co-op Community Stadium has facilities to please everyone! There is a burger van in the tunnel corner of the ground, serving hot food and drinks. If you don’t feel like hot food but want something to snack on, then Debbie’s Sweet Shop is the place to go. Hot drinks and cold snacks (including a wide selection of sweets) are all available from the sweet shop which you can find at the Harbury Lane End side of the ground.

Alcohol can be consumed on the terraces at our ground, and you can purchase it from our clubhouse which is situated in between the Harbury Lane End stand and Debbie’s Sweet Shop. The ground is covered on three of the four sides, as you walk in up from the turnstiles the covered Harbury Lane End behind the goal will be on your right. Straight ahead of you is the joint Main Stand and Car Park Terrace on the west side of the ground, on the Sheepside side of the ground sits the Mick Brady Stand, in honour of our Life President who passed away in 2020 and the North Bank behind the goal is uncovered terracing.

Clubhouse

The clubhouse is able to be used by both sets of fans and boasts a wide range of drinks, including local Warwickshire Church Farm Brewery alcohols. Our bar has live sports, and the players will be present after the game to mix with fans in the bar and our post match presentations.

Church Farm Brewery loyalty cards are also in stock at the bar - buy five Church Farm pints and get one free!

Both Leamington and Spennymoor Town fans are welcome in our clubhouse.

Car Parking

We have free car parking at the ground for 450 cars. Parking is first come, first serve and there will be stewards to guide you to a place.

Bus Travel

The 665 Stagecoach bus runs from the town to the ground. The outbound route leaves Upper Parade Stand K at 14:10 and reaches Your Co-op Community Stadium at 14:25. The inbound route leaves opposite Your Co-op Community Stadium at 17:17 and reaches Upper Parade at 17:34.

The closest stop to Royal Leamington Spa Railway Station to the ground is Crown Hotel, which what3wordsare dairy.legend.pops and the bus leaves at 14:14. Inbound, the closest stop is Charlotte Street (what3wordsmarch.hurt.loved) and the bus arrives there at 17:25. Both stops are within a 5 minute walk to Leamington Station. For other stops, visit the timetable.

The BrakesTrust minibus is a low-cost shuttle bus between town and the ground, check their website for details.

Matchday Magazine

Our new look official matchday magazine ‘New Windmill Wonderland will be available to purchase for £3 just as you enter the turnstiles. Read the thoughts of the chairman, manager and captain, learn everything you need to about Spennymoor Town and much more our bumper programme.

Turnstiles Opening Time

Turnstiles and all facilities inside the ground including the clubhouse open at 1pm, two hours before kick off.

Live Coverage

Match updates can be found on our X, Instagram and Facebook pages and there will be live commentary on BrakesLiveFM. Coverage will start approximately ten minutes from kick off.

Extended highlights and reaction will be available on Leamington FCTV the day after the game.

50/50 Draw

Donna and Yvonne will be making their way around the ground in the first half selling 50/50 tickets. These cost £1 each with half of the takings going to the club and the other half going to the winner. The draw will be made and announced at half time.

We hope everyone enjoys their time at Your Co-op Community Stadium.

After their against-the-odds promotion, Leamington kick off the 24/25 National League North season at Buxton.

This game will NOT be segregated.

Tickets

Tickets are available on the gate at Buxton with both cash and card. Prices are as follows:

Adult: £15
Concession: £10
Aged 16-21: £5
Under 16: £2

Facilities

The Tarmac Silverlands Stadium has a newly refurbished bar serving a wide variety of drinks. The Canteen is located on the side of the pitch and serves hot drinks, cold drinks, hot food and tuck shop snacks.

Finding the Stadium

Start out at Bakewell, Derbyshire on the A6. Follow signs Buxton, Manchester A6 In 2.1 miles long ascent Descend 10% Forward and descend 10%. Junction for Poole's Cavern (edge of Buxton) B5059. At Morrisons roundabout take 1st exit (left) B5059 (not shown) (signposted Poole's Cavern and Country Park). Turn right onto High Street (London Road Lights) - A515. Turn right on Buxton Market at Joe Royle's shop. Turn left onto Concert Place (signposted for Police Station) then Hardwick Square South. Continue forward onto Silverlands. Ground on right after 400 metres.

Car Parking

There is limited car-parking space at the ground for disabled visitors, all requests to book can be made via Buxton’s website. Please note, to ensure that Buxton can help they do ask for advance notice of any requirements for visitors with access needs wherever possible.

Please note, Buxton respectfully ask that visitors to the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium park considerately and with due care for their neighbours.

Buxton suggest you park in one of the following car parks:

Market Place Car Park (SK17 6EB)
Sylvan Park (SK17 6BY)
Spring Gardens Car Park (SK17 6BY)

Away Travel

Away travel has sold out for this fixture.

Live Coverage

Match updates can be found on our X, Instagram and Facebook as well as all the build up and reaction to the action!

We hope everyone has a safe trip up to Buxton.