Securing club's future is key to a new initiative at Saints

Francis Oliver, chairman, Janene Butters, general manager, Eddie Odhiambo, football in the community officer and Kevin Wilkin, first team manager

While Kevin Wilkin does his best to secure Brackley Town's short-term future, the club is embarking on a plan to produce long-term results.

The Vanarama National League North club launched its own Player Development Academy before Saturday’s game with Solihull Moors.

The academy will be headed up by Matt Wise, manager of Brackley Town Saints, and the junior section will be led by Football in the Community Officer and first teamer Eddie Odhiambo.

The Player Development Academy (PDA) is for the under 12-18 age groups which will run alongside the already established under 7-11 teams.

The PDA will have an established a group of coaches with UEFA, FA Level 2 and Youth Module Coaching badges.

The club is looking for players who can commit to two training sessions and a match each week and who are willing to listen, learn and implement the skills they will be taught.

Teams will play on Saturday mornings in the well-established Midland Junior Premier Development League.

Anyone interested in being part of the academy should come along to one of the open training sessions. Anyone registering an interest will get free family tickets to home games in February.

For the junior section, Odhiambo is aiming to form new teams at each age group to supplement the club’s existing teams.

The club will be running free taster sessions over the February half-term period.

Teams will play in the local Witney & District Youth League and will also be playing occasional friendlies against like-minded development clubs.

Odhiambo will be holding free open training sessions on Wednesday, February 17 (under-7, under-8) and Thursday, February 18 (under-9, under-10 and under-11).

Chairman Francis Oliver said: “These are massive changes for anyone interested in football, no matter the age or ability, following a successful restructuring of the club.

“We believe we are the only club within a 20-mile radius that is able to offer all these opportunities for children from age five to adults 70 plus.”

The five-week open sessions planned for players interested in the PDA, which will be held later in the month.

For details see the club’s website www.brackleytwonfc.com, text Eddie Odhiambo 07518 384786 or email [email protected]