LeamingtonFC.co.uk

Tomorrow's National League North game at Blyth Spartans has been called off by the league.

Please visit the league website for a further statement.

Everyone at Leamington Football Club are saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

We join the rest of the nation and the commonwealth in mourning her loss.

Leamington have been handed a home tie in the Second Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup as local rivals Nuneaton Borough make the trip to the south of the county.

This will be the first meeting of the two sides since 2019 following Nuneaton's relegation to the Southern Premier League Central Division, and Boro boast a multitude of former Brakes players in their side - most notably former Leamington captain Tony Breeden in goal. Brakes have Devon Kelly-Evans in their squad, who signed for Nuneaton following his release from Coventry City in 2018. He spent three years at the Boro, collecting Player of the Season awards every season before making the switch south in 2021.

Full details including ticketing, kick off time and live coverage will be released soon.

We look forward to welcoming local rivals and long time friends from Banbury United for tomorrows derby game at our Your Co-op Community Stadium. They have made a great start to life in the Vanarama National League North on the back of a tremendous championship winning season in the Southern Central Premier League last campaign. It should be an enthralling encounter.

Banbury United Chairman Ronnie Johnson and myself have spoken to each other this morning and would just like to remind fans to respect each other’s loyalty to their club and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the existing previous good relationship between our clubs and fans.

We remind fans not to enter the field of play at any time or use pyrotechnics. There has been a strengthened directive this season from the FA that all clubs will be held responsible for the actions of their supporters and neither of us wish to be placed in the position whereby we have to put in place banning orders for fans who break the law nor pay fines for breaches by our respective fans.. We look forward to seeing you all for what should be a cracking game of football.

Jim Scott

Chairman

Leamington Football Club

Following Matt Delaney moving to Birmingham City, we are delighted to share the news that Shaun Cashmore will be lead commentator for the 2022/23 season.

Brakes fan Shaun has been co-commentator for the last two seasons and has developed perfectly in the role. Alongside Matt, he has been the second voice to two successful seasons and our Birmingham Senior Cup triumph last season.

Head of Media Max Passantino commented on Shaun's appointment, saying "I'm delighted to have Shaun on board as lead commentator for the season. Not only is Shaun a Brakes fan, he has also been the secondary voice to Leamington FCTV and BrakesLiveFM over the past two seasons. His company on the gantry during the Covid season was fantastic and he has been superb since becoming co-commentator. He also has experience in a lead role having stepped into the position on a number of occasions whilst Matt has been away.

"I've learnt valuable lessons from Shaun over the past two years about commentary - the main two being York are not called the Mister Men and commentators shouldn't switch from left wing to left flank mid-sentence. I'll make sure to bear those two in mind for the day I get called up to be Shaun's co-commentator. I'm looking forward to tuning in on Saturday to hear our first game of the season!"

Shaun added "Firstly, a massive congratulations to Matt. He has taught be so much while I've been sat next to him over the past 18 months and I have no doubt he will continue doing amazing work at Birmingham.

"It's now a really exciting opportunity for me. I have had to step into the hot seat in Matt's absence on the odd occasion, but for the club to want me to carry on in that role is a real privilege. A lot of research goes in each week statistics wise so, I'm hoping that the deeply knowledgable minds of Max Passantino and Paul Edwards will still be at my disposal!

"I've always said that we have the best highlights and footage in the league and that Matt and Myself just helped enhance the great work Nick Leek and Scott Hanna do; I love describing the action, the drama, the goals, the controversy....the local horse! And all that goes on in 90minutes to the fans that listen in and with another season just around the corner I can't wait to get started at the weekend vs Farsley Celtic."

To listen to the Brakes opener against Farsley Celtic on Saturday, tune in to BrakesLiveFM. A link will be shared on our socials closer to the game.

Leamington FC can confirm that main commentator Matt Delaney has joined Birmingham City as lead commentator for Blues TV.

Delaney originally started off co-commentating on Leamington FCTV but quickly assumed the role of lead commentator for our Vanarama National League North game against York City on October 14 2017. Since then, Matt has been the voice of the club having commentated over our two Birmingham Senior Cup Final victories and five successful National League North seasons.

Ahead of our FA Trophy tie at Concord Rangers in 2020, Matt set up BrakesLiveFM - our free to air commentary station - and was also the voice to Leamington FCTV Live in the 2020/21 behind closed doors season due to Covid-19, and also provided live radio commentary that season from our away FA Trophy win at National League Wrexham. Matt leaves with everyone's best wishes for a successful career.

Brakes Chairman, Jim Scott said "We are delighted that Matt has been able to realise his ambition of being a match commentator within professional football. We thank him for his services these past four and a half years and I am sure all Brakes fans will agree with me that he has been excellent in his match commentary role for our club. It was clear that he had a talent for the job and it will not surprise me if the new role on ‘Blues TV’ is merely another step in his ambition to be a full time commentator within the media.

Whilst we are disappointed to be losing Matt his departure opens the door for someone else to step into his shoes and we will shortly be advertising the volunteer role. As a club it gives us great pleasure that we have been able to provide an opportunity for someone to gain experience and progress in their career pathway. We wish Matt every success in his new role"

On his departure, Delaney paid tribute to everyone at Leamington saying "I leave the club with a heavy heart after 4 years. Since the second I walked through the door, everyone from the fans, players, coaching staff and volunteers have been nothing but welcoming and made me feel at ease in my first ever commentary role. Leamington allowed me to achieve my dream of being a match commentator, trusting me by giving me full reign of each broadcast. I’ve been privileged to put my own audio wallpaper on so many memorable moments, including both Colby and Devon’s worldies in the BSC Finals, the comeback against Alfreton and our penultimate day survival vs York City. I set up BrakesLiveFM and would like to say thanks for all the comments from everyone who has tuned in. I’ve made memories that will last forever at this club and hope I’ve done justice to the special moments on the pitch. As always, up the Brakes."

Head of Media, Max Passantino added "This is a fantastic opportunity for Matt and one that he absolutely deserves. He's been a perfect voice for the club for the past five or so years and has helped bring some special moments to life. His commentary, matched with Nick and Scott's highlights package combined really specially to make the best highlights in non-league. I have appreciated all the help and advice he has given to me, and enjoyed my season on the gantry with him and Shaun. Everyone in the LFC media team wishes Matt the best and look forward to seeing what the future holds!"

Anyone interested in fulfilling the voluntary role of match commentator for the 2022/23 season ahead can contact Jim Scott via email - jim.scott@leamingtonfc.co.uk

We are delighted to announce that Simeon Maye has committed to Paul Holleran's 2022/23 side. The midfielder signed for the Brakes in the summer of 2020 from Brackley Town and has since made 27 appearances, with his tally last season cut to nine games as he unfortunately suffered a setback in the form of a long term leg injury which occurred in our FA Cup tie against Kettering in October.

Simeon played his first 90 minutes since that game as we travelled to Halesowen at the weekend and Paul Holleran was happy to have Sim back in his squad, saying "I'm delighted that Sim has re-signed. He's had a tough journey this last year or so but he has worked really hard to get back and gradually through pre-season we have been able to increase his minutes and it led to him playing his first 90 on Saturday since his injury. We're really happy to be keeping him heading into the new season."