Brackley Town levelling up as St James Park renovations begin
Ground improvement works are underway at Brackley Town to enhance the playing surface ahead of next season.
Before the Saints’ 2025/26 campaign could even come to a close last week, groundsmen and pitch specialists were already out at St James Park to begin renovations.
Brackley are installing a new drainage system to level-up the facilities, reducing the risk of postponements due to a waterlogged pitch.
That’s something the Saints had to contend with as recently as February 7, as their National League fixture with Solihull Moors was deemed unplayable and rescheduled to a later date.
Photos shared via the club’s X (formerly Twitter) account show all the turf stripped away, with the soil underneath levelled off by machinery.
Holes already appear to have been made in the ground as work on the drainage system gets started. Although no completion date is mentioned, it’s bound to be well in time for when pre-season starts in July.
The Saints’ senior team, led by head coach Andy Whing, will be determined to have a strong 2026/27 campaign to right their wrongs from last term.
Their first-ever season in the National League got off to a decent start and middle, however a run of just one win in the final 16 games - also Whing’s first 16 in charge - resulted in relegation.
Back in the National League North, Brackley are in for a summer overhaul, starting with 10 senior players confirmed to be leaving the club, in addition to retiring captain Gareth Dean.
While work continues on the St James Park pitch, Whing will be doing all he can to get his squad in the best possible shape.