Brackley Town v Darlington

Tuesday 14th September 2021, 7.45pm
Vanarama National League North

 
Brackley Town FC:
St James Park, Churchill Way, Brackley, Northamptonshire NN13 7EJ. Tel: 01280 704077
Twitter: @BrackleyTownFC

History: The club's history originates in 1890 but for many years it was in local leagues in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, before in the late 1970s, Brackley moved to its current ground and moved up into the Hellenic League. The Saints enjoyed a period in the United Counties League, including winning the Division One title. The late 1990s saw the club in debt and on the verge of liquidation but a period of restructuring back in the Hellenic League, before promotion to the Southern League in 2004. It's been steady progress ever since with the club mangaging their hightest position - third in Conference North - in 2013. The season after, they reached the FA Cup 2nd round. For Darlo fans with memories of Feethams - Brackley's St James's Park ground (like Stourbridge too) has the novelty of a cricket club playing next door. The club missed out on promotion in the play-off final against Harrogate after a creditable 7th the previous season - but won the FA Trophy at Wembley. Expect another strong push, after losing out in the play-offs.
Record Attendance: 2,604 vs FC Halifax Town, Conference North play-off final 2013
Capacity: 3,500 (600 seated)
2018/19 season: 3rd (play-offs)
Honours: FA Trophy winners (2018), Southern League Premier champions 2011–12; SL Div 1 Midlands champions 2006–07; Hellenic League Premier champions 1996–97, 2003–04; United Counties Div 1 champions 1983–84.
Record victory:
Defeat:
Nickname: The Saints
Colours: Red and black stripes
Manager: Kevin Wilkin
Chairman: Francis Oliver

Click here for streetmaps of the Brackley Town ground.

Admission prices (2021/22) You will need to buy a ticket online in advance of kick off. Adults £13; concessions (over 60s and students) £8; Under 18s £5; Under 10s £1. Includes access to seating. NB: There is no segregation planned for this match.

From the North (M1): (From Darlington - 201 miles, approx 3.5hrs). Leave the M1 at Junction 15A and follow the A43 South (signposted Oxford & M40). After eight miles the road crosses the A5 at a roundabout just outside Towcester. Follow the A43 past Silverstone to Brackley and at the first roundabout (BP garage), take the first exit (signposted A43/Oxford/M40) and follow signs through a second roundabout. At a third roundabout, take the third exit (signposted Brackley, South). After 100m, take the 2nd exit at the mini roundabout (Tesco on the left, Mercedes/Petronas Formula One Racing on the right), and follow the road towards the town. The New Locomotive public house is almost immediately on the left hand side and Churchill Way is the next turning on the right as you go up the hill. Follow sign to football Club and follow Churchill Way into the club car park.

Parking At the ground it costs £2 for cars and it gets quite full up early; there is room for the supporters' coach. There is a town centre car park by the Town Hall (3hr limit) a short walk down past the Red Lion pub. Fans are warned not to park in the streets around the ground - anyone parked illegally or obstructing residences is liable for a ticket.

Darlington FC Supporters' Club
Coach Contact: Darlington FC Supporters Group, call 01325 250531 or 07951 434731 to book a seat. Details - leaving 9.30am, £20. Details of the supporters' group travel can be found here.

Brackley Taxis Tel: 01280 701111
Brackley and Buckinghamshire Taxis 01869 240 000
A2B Cabs 01280 733393
M&M Cars 01280 709600
1st A1 Taxis of Banbury 01295 272020

Unfortunately, Brackley hasn't got a railway station. The nearest is 11 miles away in Banbury. So that's an expensive taxi - around £25-£30 one way - or a bus ride away. Banbury is 45mins to an hour from Birmingham New Street and an hour from London Marylebone.

The bus is a possibility though - the No 500 runs every 30 minutes and takes 40 minutes. It leaves from stand 5 at Banbury bus station, a few minutes walk from the railway station. There are buses back from the market square at 1713 and 1743. Fares £6.50 return, £4.60 single Timetable

The official site is pretty neat if there's not a lot of information for visiting fans'.

There's a useful map and guide to the town here, which includes the football club.

Brackley News
Brackley Shops
Local council guide

At the ground:

Saints Bar - Brackley Town FC clubhouse
Nice-looking lounge bar, open from 12 noon. Promises a range of lagers, cider, real ale, stouts and wines. "Everybody is welcome. Alcohol will be served throughout the game but will not be allowed outside of the clubhouse after 1.30pm."

Pubs near ground/town centre:

Locomotive Inn, 43 Bridge Street, Brackley NN13 7ER
The closest of the town centre pubs to the ground, just five minutes walk away.
Red Lion, 11 Market Place, Brackley, NN12 7AB
Another town centre choice, with a large menu. It does rooms too for those staying over on a budget.

Crown Hotel, 20 Market Place, Brackley NN13 7DP
Bar food and ales. Has accommodation.

The Greyhound Inn 101 High St, Brackley, NN13 7BW
A range of food, Greene King IPA and Abbott Ale plus a guest ale.

In the vicinity is the Stratton Arms in the nearby village of Turweston, NN13 5JX. This is CAMRA recommended for its beer range, there is a beer garden and the pub does good food. It's 2.5 miles from the ground.

The club promises excellent catering faciliies at the ground, serving burgers, hot dogs, chips, hot drinks etc.