Wilkin wants to turn things around at Saints

Brackley Town's Steve Diggin wins a header against Tamworth

For the second season in succession Saints escaped relegation in Vanarama National League North on the final day and Wilkin does not want a repeat of that.

Wilkin admits that the job of keeping Saints up was harder than he imagined after taking over from Jon Brady but he is determined to have his own players in place for next season.

Wilkin said: The hard work starts now. The club gave me the opportunity but I didn’t envisage it being as hard as it turned out to be to keep us up.

“It’s a tough league and we need to make sure it doesn’t go to the last game of the season again. But I’m pleased for everyone at the club, it’s been roller-coaster of a season.

“It would have been disappointing to have gone down after our recent run of just one defeat in 11 games.

“Hopefully the club want me to stay here, I’ve been trying to put my stamp on the team. We have the core of a strong team and after two difficult seasons.

“We have to work hard to make sure we spend our money wisely. We need to bring in players who are hungry and fresh for the challenge.

It’s very important that recruitment is good and we can give ourselves a platform from which to build for us to be challenging.”