End of Season Review
Brackley Town: I said it would take a serious collapse for Brackley not to get promoted and they hardly put a foot wrong all season. Just the 5 losses all season alongside 29 wins. 29 wins was the most ever in a Vanarama National North season and the total points tally was also a record total. There was also some outstanding individiual performances.
Dave Stone topped the clean sheet charts with a total of 21, his average rating of 7.23 was also good enough to finish third overall in the average rating charts. Luke Huttons 15 league goals was enough to for him to get the runner up position in the league goals charts while Mike Clifton finished second on the assist charts with an impressive 12. Its safe to Brackleys kids exceeded all expecations but those kind of stats dont go unrecognised. Nearly all the players have clubs interested in them and i think its safe to Brackley will be taking some phone calls over the summer. Lets have a look at how the players performed individually over the season.
David Stone: As mentioned Previously, David Stone had an outstanding season. 46 games played across the seaon with only 29 conceeded and 25 clean sheets (21 in the league). This kind of form has been noticed by clubs higher up the pyrmaid with scouts from Norwich, Huddersfield, West Ham and Rotherham taking a look at the young keeper. Average Rating 7.23. Value £200,000 (decrease of £15,000)
Gary Hill: In terms of games played it was a very successful season for Gary, 48 games played across all competitions. In terms of performance it was pretty muchh a case of steady every game. Nothing exceptional about his performances but on the other hand never putting a foot wrong and a very good disciplinary record, just the two yellow cards in 39 league games. Again, his solidness in defense was noticed and a number of championship clubs are said to be sniffing around including Sheffield United, Birmingham City and Cardiff City. Average Rating 6.97. Value 400k (-25k decrease).
Graeme Woodward: Despite his horrendous start to the season recieving 2 red cards in 2 games Graeme had a good season, 44 games in all competitions getting 3 goals and 3 assists. A very steady performer averaging pretty much a 7 rating every game Graeme is a defender who can always be counted on. Despite his proneness to yellow and red cards Aston Villa, Norwich and Cardiff City are all interested in attaining his services. Average Rating 7.00. Value £6mil (750k decrease).
Jonno Woodward: A very steady first season for Jonno, playing 45 games in all competitions, 36 in the league including 5 player of the match awards. Jonno is one of the fans favourites and with an average rating above a 7 its easy to see why. Unfortunately for Brackley fans its seems scouts are also fans of his with scouts of Aston Villa, Cardiff City, Brentford and West Ham all interested in the young center back. Average Rating 7.10. Value 425k (175k decrease).
Matt Sykes: Despite 3 months out with a hip injury, ‘Sykesy’ still managed to accumulate a pretty impresive 28 games this season and by all accounts played pretty well. Despite a fairly major injury the scouts weren’t put off and were encouraged by his performances when he was on the pitch. A host of championship clubs are looking at him. Average Rating 6.96. Value 425k (-15 Decrease).
Olly Lyon: A good first season for Olly, 35 starts in all competitions this season and a total of 10 assists is not bad going for a player in the holding midfield role. These kind of stats have attracted the attention of Birmingham City and Ipswich Town. Average Rating 6.82. Value 275k (15k increase).
Mike Clifton: Another decent first season from one of Brackleys center midfielders. 36 starts and a return of 3 goals and 12 assists is certainly a decent platform for future seasons. Whether those future seasons will be at Brackley remains to be seen with scouts from Wigan, Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday all having come to look at Mike. Average Rating 6.82. Value £2million (-300k decrease).
Tom Hutton: Things didnt really improve for the Brackley right midfielder. Just the 10 first team starts this season although an assist every other game would make you wonder why? 21 games in the reserves brough a return of 5 goals and 9 assists. maybe a move to Aston Villa or Huddersfield Town will ignite Toms career. Average Rating 7.20. Value £1.1Million (-100k decrease).
Matt Hutton: The left winger certainly got more game time than his name sake on the right side. 22 Games in all competitions, 6 goals and 7 assists. Again, if this is the standard being set for future seasons then it will be a very prosperous career. Premier Leagues are looking to make sure they Matt is doing it at their club. Average Rating 7.13. Value £4.1million (-500k decrease).
Jozef Fullerton: On the whole a decent season for the Brackley Town captain. 14 goals in 35 games in all competitions is a good return in a players first season. The bad news for Brackley fans is that a player that is a club captain at 16 does not go unnoticed and Rotherham, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday are all looking towards Fullerton. Average Rating 6.94. Value £350k (-15k decrease)
Luke Hutton: The Brackley Town goal machine was relentless as he fired his club to the title. 18 goals in 32 games was enough to earn his second place in the league scorers charts and he even had two months out injured with a calf problem. As much as Brackley fans will want their hitman for next season it seems unlikely with no less than 16 clubs interested in his services. Average Rating 7.02. Value £450k (no change).
So the good news for Brackley Town, they have won the league at a canter and will be testing their trade in the Conference next season. The bad news…the accolades of their young team did not go unrecognised and they will be fighting all summer to keep hold of their players. Lets see what happens in the summer…..its sure to be a busy one.
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