Our home game on Saturday 7 September against Oxford City has been postponed.

This is due to four of the Hoops' players being called up to international duty.

A new date for a rearranged fixture will be communicated shortly.

Leamington striker Tim Berridge sat down with local media on Thursday night ahead of Leamington's National League North fixture against Darlington on Saturday.

The 26 year old, who joined from Coalville Town in the summer, started the first two games of the season and made a substitute appearance in the Brakes' third fixture after being allowed a breather.

Looking ahead to the Darlington fixture, the striker said "I'm definitely looking forward to it! It's the first of the many long trips but I'm looking forward to it. We've started very well, I think we're unlucky not to have a couple more points on the board but the lads put a really good shift in against Alfreton on Tuesday, who are such a tough side to play, and it was good to get a win against one of the favourites to be up there in Spennymoor. We need to take that on against Darlington and we're looking for another three points."

Having spent six years at Coalville scoring 99 goals, Berridge made the decision to sign for the Brakes well before Coalville had contemplated resigning from the Southern League and was joined by team mate and skipper Joe Doyle-Charles in Warwickshire. "I settled in really quickly," Berridge added. "The lads are great with me, and having Joe here with me definitely helped as well.

"It's been a really good start, the gaffer's been great and I've settled in well. All I'm waiting for now is that goal to get me off the mark! We've played well and I'm really enjoying my football - that's the main thing and that's why we're able to pick up points here and there as a squad."

The support at Your Co-op Community Stadium has impressed the Nottingham born attacker, who said "The fans have been great. To get 600 down here is brilliant. Especially in the second half in both the games we've had at home so far, I think it's drawn the ball into that end - especially the second goal that Ant scored the other day... the noise, it was good, it's what we need and long may it continue. The fans have been great."

Photo: Tim Nunan

Chris Knott spoke to the local media ahead of Saturday's National League North fixture away at Darlington.

"It's a nice long trip," said the Leamington first team coach. "We're looking forward to it though. They've had a challenging start and we've certainly had that too with two of last season's top eight but there are far and away more positives than negatives going into the Bank Holiday games. I think we're building some momentum and the inexperience and vulnerabilities we might have with lads stepping up levels, we've also got lots of ex-pros. We can catch teams out.

"We've got a different dynamic going forward, so Darlington's one to look forward to with the first long haul of the season and then we come back on Monday for a bit of a local derby at home."

In Leamington's 2-2 draw with Alfreton Town on Tuesday night, Paul Holleran made four changes to his previously unchanged starting lineup and there has been lots of talk regarding the strength in depth of the Brakes side this season. 

Knott agreed, saying "I'm into my fourth season at the club now, and the squad depth is the strongest we've had. We've got at least eighteen players this season already who all, including the likes of Ant who's stepped up from two levels below and Teddy coming out of academy football and lots of others, who can easily step into a starting position straight away. When they are used, they will have earnt that spot - they're doing great work at the moment but we've also had momentum in our starters.

"I think having that depth is key and how we use it as a management team setup, obviously keeping everyone happy will be difficult, but certainly it's nice to see we made four changes the other night and still looked strong and confident. We'll need to make changes this weekend, of course, and as a management team we've got no qualms with that and no question marks on anyone's ability - it's just finding the right shape of the team. The other night we had to deal with long balls for 90 minutes with strong set plays, more physicality and this weekend Darlington will want to actually play football and we'll need legs to go up against them and then Rushall will be the same on Monday."

Attendances this season have been impressive, with the Alfreton crowd double the number that saw Leamington beat Berkhamsted last season in their first midweek fixture. A large part of the crowd on Tuesday night was made up of younger fans, and Knott - who is also Head of Football Development at Leamington - was delighted to see and hear the younger generation.

"It's massive. We've got a real pool of great youngsters who are starting to follow us. We're doing a lot of work in the community where we're getting ticket schemes out to our school partners and trying to build a fanbase to follow through. We're having a "fan for life" sort of motto. It's now brilliant to see them following us away as well as at home and last season, they got us over the line a number of times and we'll need them even more this season and hopefully across the season the crowds and number of youngsters builds and builds and we can get something on the pitch that they will look forward to coming and watching every week."

Photo: Chris Simpson

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.

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