League New Boys Lose Record Appearance Holder

One of manager Paul Holleran most accomplished signings and club post 2000 record appearance holder, James Mace, has made the decision to look for opportunities elsewhere and has departed Leamington, who have been relegated to the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division.

The vastly experienced defender joined the Brakes, who were last members of the Southern League in 2016/17 before spending six seasons in the Vanarama National League North, in the summer of 2011/12, initially on trial.

The 38-year-old went on to become one of the biggest success stories of Holleran’s time in charge.

He signed for Leamington after spending two seasons in the Conference North with Hinckley United - he was quickly snapped up from the now sadly defunct Leicestershire club after impressing and has been a lynchpin of the Brakes defence ever since.

His previous clubs include Rushall Olympic, Coleshill Town, Bedworth United and Atherstone Town.

He signed on dual registration with Southern Premier Division Central side Bromsgrove Sporting in August 2021 and then signed similar terms for league rivals Stratford Town in November 2022.

His 436 appearances saw him overtake former club favourite Josh Blake in the modern era of Leamington during which time he kept up a goal a season average eventually scoring 13 goals in the club colours.

Holleran told his club’s website: “James has to go down as one of my best ever signings. Great pace, great attitude and a never say die attitude made him very difficult for opposition forwards to play against. Even in his mid-thirties he was still one of the fittest players in the squad and it was testament to his great desire that he recovered fully from an anterior cruciate ligament so late in his career.

“It is going to seem strange not having him around anymore as he has been in the dressing room for almost my entire time as manager of the club. I am sad to see him leave and I along with everyone at the club wish him well and every success moving forward.”

Kelsey Mooney and Louis Hall have also left the Brakes.

Mooney joined the club in August 2021 having previously been with Aston Villa, Hereford and Scunthorpe United.

Defender Hall, 23, joined the Brakes in August 2022 after his release from Newport County.

He also began his career at Aston Villa as a youngster, and also spent time with Kidderminster Harriers in their academy before spells with Stourbridge, Bromsgrove Sporting and Bedford Town.

He then spent the curtailed 2020/21 season in National League South with Oxford City, helping them to the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup, before signing a one-year deal with League Two Newport County in the summer of 2021.

He made his debut for the Exiles in an EFL Cup tie against Ipswich Town.

He was then loaned to National League North side Gloucester City at the end of January 2022 until the end of the season.