Brakes duo: It is smiles better here
EVERGREEN pair Junior English and James Mace say being able to play football with a smile on your face was vital in their decision to re-sign for Leamington.
Defender Mace last season broke Josh Blake’s appearance record for the Brakes while midfielder English has clocked up more than 170 games since joining from Worcester City in 2017.
Now in the veteran stage, they will both remain key members of Paul Holleran’s National League North squad after saying it was an easy decision to stay.
Having made a tremendous return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, former Atherstone, Bedworth and Hinckley defender Mace broke Josh Blake’s appearances record of 406 games and capped off the season by scoring the clinching third goal in the Birmingham Senior Cup final win against Stourbridge. He made his debut in 2011 after joining from Hinckley.
‘I’m excited to get another season at Leamington,” said the 37-year-old. “When you find a club like this it’s a pleasure to be around on and off the pitch. Surround yourself with good people and good things will happen.
“I just know we will have a successful season, everyone and everything is progressing. Let’s fly the flags high and be the best we can this season.”
Former Solihull Moors stalwart English, 36, was involved in 30 matches last season, starting ten times and scoring three goals.
“I’m happy to be re-signing at Leamington. The gaffer knows I can still do a job at this level so there was never any hesitation in signing,” said English. “Leamington is a place where you enjoy coming to play football. We’ve got a top gaffer and coaching staff and a good bunch of lads in that changing room to go with some really top people behind the scenes, along with fans that make this a brilliant football club.”
Boss Holleran said: “Both Junior and James are a shining example to any young player. Both had to bide their time on the bench for periods last season but they have proved time and again that they are more than capable of performing at National League North level.”