2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Brackley Town

Player Decisions

Retain

Cameron Gregory, Shane Byrne, Michael Nottingham, Zak Brown, Scott Pollock, Tyler Lyttle, Matt Lowe

Release

Ryan Haynes, Jonny Maxted, Miracle Okafor, Gaz Dean, Kyle Morrison, Danny Waldron, Jack Price, Riccardo Calder, Connor Hall, Zak Lilly

Lose

Morgan Roberts

Loan End

Kian Harratt, Ben Wodskou, Aidan Elliott-Wheeler, Byron Pendleton, Harrison Röhne, Joe Andrews

Retained Squad

New Signings

Reece Devine (Kidderminster Harriers – free)

One area that I think The Saints will be looking to strengthen during the summer is in the full-back positions. It would be a major coup for Brackley Town if they could get it over the line, but one player who I particularly like having watched him in the National League North is Kidderminster Harriers’ Reece Devine. 

Kidderminster Harriers are in the play-offs in the National League North and so there is a chance that they might be playing in a league above The Saints next season. However, in the event that they do fall short in the top seven, I think that The Saints could well be able to make a move for his services. 

In terms of the type of player that he is, Devine is a 24-year-old left-back. The Harriers have played a system that employs wing-backs under Adam Murray, and so Devine – on that left-hand side – has proven to be a good outlet in attacking phases with his lung-busting, energetic, powerful runs from deep on the overlap. 

The 24-year-old is one of the best full-backs in the league, and so he won’t be short of offers in the event that he does depart Aggborough in the summer. If they could get him, I think that he would be a stellar acquisition.

Aidan Elliott-Wheeler (Oxford United – loan)

The first player on this list that featured on loan for The Saints during 2025-26 and who I wouldn’t be surprised to see join Andy Whing at Brackley Town is youngster Aidan Elliott-Wheeler. On the books of Oxford United, I think that the youngster would be an exciting project for Whing and a sensible pickup on loan.

Elliott-Wheeler has largely played in a full-back or wing-back capacity, but I think that he is better-suited playing higher up the pitch where he is able to get involved in the attacking phase of the play. At the very least, if starting as a full-back he is at his most effective when given the license to get forward, carry the ball from deep and operate as a winger in-possession. 

In terms of the type of players that Andy Whing likes to sign, I think that Elliott-Wheeler represents a useful profile. A diminutive customer. Agile. Terrific energy. A fairly elegant ball-carrier with good close control and skill. He has a low centre of gravity such that he covers the ground really well.  

It remains to be seen whether or not Andy Whing opts to use a three or a four in the defensive third season, but having a player that is capable of playing in a number of different positions and is adaptable provides real value to The Saints. I think that his best position would be as a winger, but if deployed as a wing-back he has got that energy, athleticism and has got the ball-carrying qualities to be a good outlet in transition. 

He is only 19 years of age, and so this is definitely one that you can file under ‘project’ for The Saints. With the opportunities of playing in the first-team unlikely, I think that another loan is likely. If that is the case, I think Andy Whing will be a front-runner.

Tristen Batanwi (Coventry City – loan)

The second defender that I have picked out on this list is a youngster in the form of Tristen Batanwi. Andy Whing is likely to assemble a squad full of youthful exuberance and athleticism, and I think that Batanwi is a really good stylistic fit for that given the attributes that he has got at his disposal.

I feel that signing a left-sided defender that provides natural balance can be a difficult assignment, and so I think that Batanwi represents quite a nice profile. He can play anywhere down the left-hand side of the backline – be it as a centre-back or as a full-back – and so offers The Saints versatility and options in how to make use of him. If they play with a back three, I feel he can provide a good fit playing as a wide centre-back. In a four and with Elliot-Wheeler playing as a right-back with license to get forward, Batanwi can shuffle across quite nicely. 

As a player, I think that the youngster has a lot of nice attributes. Incredibly quick and powerful. Athleticism to play a high line. The mobility to play and defend in the wide channels. Andy Whing wants his team to take risks with the ball, and so having that player who can step out into midfield and progress the ball into midfield such as Batanwi is a good fit. 

The youngster’s opportunities in the first-team with The Sky Blues are going to be slim to say the least next year in wake of their promotion having already been surplus to requirements this term and a long way off the first-team. I think that he needs to go out and play minutes in 2026-27, and so I feel that Brackley Town represents a good opportunity for him.

Byron Pendleton (Birmingham City – free)

The second of two players on this list that played for The Saints under Andy Whing during 2025-26. The second that I think they should – and indeed wouldn’t be surprised – to see sign on a permanent deal. 

One of the major advantages that you get with a player like Pendleton is the fact that he is capable of playing on either side of the pitch. In his previous loan spell in the National League with Yeovil Town, Pendleton has played predominantly on the right-hand side. That being said, Pendleton has been deployed largely on the left-hand side under Andy Whing and yet has impressed for The Saints in that potential unorthodox role. I don’t feel that it is his best role, but having that flexibility is incredibly useful.

I feel that his pathway through into the first-team with Birmingham City is very unlikely, and so he will be looking for a new opportunity in which to go and play his football. Given the promising signs that he has produced in Brackley Town colours, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Andy Whing go back in for his signature.

Josh Tomlinson (Northampton Town – free)

Brackley Town will be saying goodbye to Gaz Dean going into 2026-27, as he announced his retirement having been a fixture with The Saints. There is a rumour that he might be sticking around in a new capacity with the club behind the scenes, and if so they could utilise his experience in identifying a new centre-back to sign in the summer. One option that they could look at is Josh Tomlinson of Northampton Town. 

The 20-year-old was on loan at National League north Bedford Town during the 2025-26 campaign, and so is no stranger to the sixth tier under Lee Bircham. The youngster has benefitted from the loan spell to aid his development, and in a side that has had to do a lot of defending it has definitely been a useful opportunity for the Northampton Town man. 

They have got an experienced centre-back already on the books in the form of Michael Nottingham, and so I feel that they would – and should – sign a young option to complement him in the off season. A bit of a project. Someone that they can invest time in to find his feet. A long-term deal. I think that Josh Tomlinson could well represent a useful candidate for that. 

One thing that I have been particularly impressed with when watching Josh Tomlinson is the maturity and temperament in his defending. A diligent defender with a strong work ethic. A good box defender with his size and stature. There are some raw tools there that I think could have the makings of a very capable centre-back for the level. If they can sign him, I feel that he would be a good acquisition for The Saints.

Alex Whitmore (Solihull Moors – free)

Brackley Town will be aiming to try and win the National League North next season, and I expect a bigger summer of recruitment under Andy Whing. They will likely sign one or two ‘marquee’ players, and one player that would certainly fall into that category after leaving Solihull Moors is Alex Whitmore.

The defender announced before the end of the campaign that he would be leaving The Moors, and it came as a bit of a surprise given that he has been an ever-present in the heart of the defence. The consensus of expectation is that he will likely go and sign for Gateshead or Hartlepool United and a return up North, but I wonder whether or not Brackley Town could persuade the 30-year-old to sign for them, potentially with the adage of being the captain, and lead their return to Step Two. 

One of the reasons as to why I think The Saints could potentially attract a player like Whitmore is that he has played under Brackley Town boss Andy Whing at Solihull Moors, and was a key part of the Moors side that got to the play-off final under him. His exit from The Moors has been sighted as being for personal reasons, and without knowing what that is then we can’t speculate. All I can reason is that potentially signing under a manager for whom he has a lot of respect and played some of his best football, and who is a strong man manager with a really personable touch –  might be the right environment in which to go next. 

With the news that experienced defender Gareth Dean is to retire at the end of the campaign, I definitely feel that they need to go out and sign that leader that can marshal the defence in the same way that Dean has done so brilliantly for the last decade. Signing a player of Whitmore’s experience would certainly be seen as an able replacement, and the type of signing that would give them a strong foundation on which to build going into the National League North. If they could get him to St James’ Park, I think that they would be getting arguably the best defender in the league and that would be a huge part of their preparation for the season ahead in building a side that is capable of going and challenging for the title.

Cherif Yaya (Nottingham Forest – loan)

One area in which I think The Saints need to strengthen during the summer is the centre of the park. Some energy. A size and a physical presence. Pressing and power against the ball. The youngster has limited first-team experience, but I feel that he could be a sensible loan signing for Brackley Town.

Yaya had a brief loan spell in the National League North earlier this season with strugglers Hereford, albeit didn’t spend long with The Bulls before being recalled by his parent club. 

When I have watched The Saints this term, I think that they have definitely missed that powerhouse in the middle, and so Yaya provides a good stylistic fit for that. He is a powerful, industrious, rangy midfielder with a strong frame. He is a predominantly a defensive midfielder that looks to be combative at the base in trying to turn the ball over, break up play and shield the back four with his aerial qualities and clever reading of the play.

Andy Whing has already got some good technical types in the middle of the park and will no doubt add some more ball-players and creativity during the summer, and I feel that adding a player of Yaya’s profile to complement that will provide them with some much needed balance and physicality. We didn’t get the opportunity to see much of him during his brief loan spell with Hereford, but he comes highly-rated within Nottingham Forest circles. 

The youngster is extremely highly-rated within Forest circles, and if I were in his shoes then I would be advising him to go and get a first-team playing opportunity in 2026-27 to get minutes under his belt.

Anthony Mancini (Hartlepool United – free)

I am expecting that Andy Whing will look to play a fairly attacking brand of football, and so the top end of the pitch is going to be a really intriguing watch during the summer as to the direction he goes down. One player that I fully expect to be on the move again and who I feel would represent quite a nice project to have at Step Two and part of a side that wants to get the ball down and play is Hartlepool United midfielder Anthony Mancini. 

When I have watched The Saints this term, one thing has been clear to see; they lack the quality to create chances consistently from open-play. They don’t score enough. They don’t open teams up. Gavin Cowan assembled a hard-working side, but perhaps prioritised off-the-ball qualities in lieu of technical ability on it. Andy Whing will likely look to address that in the summer, and so technical players will be high on the list of priorities. 

Mancini has demonstrated in the National League that he is exactly that. Incredible technical quality. Deft touches and clever ball manipulation under pressure. The ability to play at speed. Good vision. Clean ball-striking. The intricacy and vision to see passes into the final third through the lines. He is always looking to play forward, and I think that would complement the existing midfield profiles that The Saints have got at their disposal. 

The question mark with Manicini is fitness. If they could keep him fit, they’d have one of the best technicians in the league. Andy Whing will want to try and assemble a side that has good footballers in it in terms of their quality with the ball, and so attracting the French midfielder into the National League North would definitely help them in their aspirations of building a side in that attacking image. 

After his injuries the last two campaigns, I expect that he may have to drop down for his next move, and so The Saints can be the benefactors. He is 25 years of age. One of Andy Whing’s major strengths is in getting the best out of players, his man-management and – especially in an attacking sense – injecting confidence into them. The way he has done with Morgan Roberts. If I were in Town’s shoes, I think that a player of Anthony Mancini’s profile would be a coup for the sixth tier.

Arjan Raikhy (Boston United – free)

One player that I would look at if I were Brackley Town is Arjan Raikhy. Currently on the books at Boston United, I believe that dropping down in the National League North and getting more regular minutes might do his development the world of good.

His career has drifted slightly in the last few years, and so I think that he needs to find himself a new permanent home and properly knuckle down. I feel that joining a new project at Brackley Town might be just what the doctor ordered. If they can get him on a free, I believe he could offer value to this Saints side and in terms of the way that Andy Whing wants to play.

As a profile, I think Raikhy complements The Saints’ midfield options well. An incredible athlete. A powerful runner. Good energy against the ball. A willing presser, and mobile in covering ground. Whilst being that powerful presence, he has also got the technical quality to play slightly deeper and so a prerequisite of Andy Whing’s system in being progressive with the ball.

He is a player that was previously highly-rated as one of the best young players in the whole country when he was on the books of Aston Villa, and so to know be playing his football in the National League and having struggled with Morecambe should serve as a bit of a wake-up for his career. He needs a good coach and the right environment to rediscover his mojo; I think Brackley Town could be the right option for him.

I think the chances of him being kept on by Paul Hurst are incredibly slim, and so I expect The Pilgrims to include him as one of the players that they release going into the summer.

Ben Acquaye (Tamworth – free)

The Saints didn’t really operate with their traditional out-and-out wingers during 2025-26, but that is an area in which I believe that they will strengthen in the summer. One option that I wouldn’t be surprised to see join Brackley Town is Tamworth’s Ben Acquaye.

Acquaye is a player that will need little introduction to Brackley Town boss Andy Whing, given that the experienced attacker is formerly of Banbury United and played under Whing in the season that they won promotion. Indeed, the best football that Ben Acquaye has played in his career has been Andy Whing and so despite not hitting the heights with The Lambs I definitely feel that there is a player there.

In terms of his profile, Acquaye is a quick, skilful and dynamic wide player that is a strong dribbler. He is at his most effective in transition when he is able to isolate the opposition full-back, work the ball onto his right and drive to goal. 

With new investment on the horizon for Tamworth, I think that we may well see them try to strengthen the group to the tune of pushing for the top seven next season. Acquaye hasn’t been a regular this season and so if Andy Peaks trims the squad down then he is one that I wouldn’t be surprised to see him re-unite with his former boss.

Fin Holmes (Halesowen Town – free)

I am expecting that Andy Whing is going to put together a young and vibrant team that is capable of playing an attacking brand of football. One player who finished the campaign playing his football at a level below the National League North, and yet someone who I could quite easily see in Saints colours as a summer signing is youngster Fin Holmes. 

Holmes finished the season with Halesowen Town, having previously been on the books with National League side Solihull Moors. As such, he is definitely someone that Andy Whing will have a knowledge of from his time at Damson Park. Since signing for Halesowen Town, the youngster has impressed as one of the key architects of their attack this term and has shown a good level of progression in his game to play with maturity, take risks and handle the physicality of regular first-team football. 

If The Saints do lose Morgan Roberts, I think that signing a player of Holmes’ profile could well represent a good replacement. Incredible energy. Tricky movement. Quick and skilful. Best in a #10 capacity where he has got the freedom to always be on the move, getting on the ball and making things happen. He makes good runs off the shoulder of the opposition, and is effective in between the lines with his quick feet, good close control and the ability to get on the turn and drive the ball to goal. 

There is definitely work to do in terms of his decision-making and physicality against the ball, but I like a lot of what I see with Holmes. He has that no-fear element to his playing style that I think can be really dangerous if harnessed in the right way. A little bit like the way that Josh Stokes stepped up to Aldershot Town and played so well from the off. That willingness to take risks, play a little bit off the cuff and almost go about his stuff without fearing the consequence of giving the ball away.

Andy Whing is a coach that I rate highly, and so I expect that they will invest in a younger squad with a view to developing the players over a number of years and elevating their stock. Coachable players. A willingness to learn. Holmes is 19 years of age, has benefitted from a season in men’s football for the sake of his physical development, and I think that he is the sort of project that Andy Whing will relish working with.

Craig Hewitt (York City – loan)

A mid-season addition for York City, Craig Hewitt has perhaps understandably found game time hard to come by. They will again trim the squad in the summer, and so a player like Hewitt – who needs regular football – may well be one that is allowed to leave the football club. 

In the case of Hewitt, I think that he has got a lot of potential and so he is one that they may want to keep hold of in terms of his long-term credentials with The Minstermen. Instead, they may well look for a loan for him to go and play a lot of minutes. One thing that The Saints have lacked this term is natural width and quality wingers, and so I feel that there will be a good opportunity for Hewitt to get that game time with Brackley Town. 

If The Minstermen are going to let him go out on loan, they will want to ensure that they are sending him to an attacking manager. One that looks to get the ball down and play. The ‘right way’. In his sides at Banbury United and Solihull Moors, Andy Whing did this. His systems rely on a heavy focus in the wide forwards. You’ve only got to look at the development in players such as Jack Stevens that Hewitt would thrive playing under Andy Whing. 

In terms of his profile, I feel that Hewitt is the exact type of attacking profile that Andy Whing likes to sign. Young, hungry, eager to prove a point, fearless in taking risks and wanting to receive the ball, quick and always looking to be positive in his play. He is the type of player who wants to get on the front foot, play forward and commit players, and those are the types of attacking skillsets which they have missed this season. 

Having been promoted to the Football League, I think that Hewitt will be allowed to leave the football club on loan. He has impressed in the National League North before with Spennymoor Town, and so as a signing to breathe new life into the attack of Brackley Town he represents a good option.

Tyrone Marsh (Bedford Town – free)

Bedford Town have had a good first season in the National League North, and perhaps the pick of their performers has been Tyrone Marsh. To be nearing the 30-goal mark in a side that have sat for much of the campaign in the bottom-half and just above the relegation zone speaks volumes of the season that he has had. That form will have certainly interested teams higher in the league, and indeed in higher leagues. 

One of The Saints’ struggles in 2025-26 has been goals. I rate Connor Hall, but they’ve lacked that killer edge in the final third. In Tyrone Marsh, they would be getting a player off the back of a superb individual campaign in the league in which he has been arguably the pick of the forwards in the National League North. A terrific return for a striker in a team that have sat as lowly as Bedford Town, I hate to think what he could do in a side that creates more chances, has more of the ball and that dominates games more so than The Eagles do. 

I expect that Andy Whing will look to put together quite a young and energetic side that are capable of playing on the front foot, but I feel there is a value in having that nucleus of experience in the group. Tyrone Marsh would buy into that. Very experienced. Promotion winner from Step One and Step Two of the pyramid. Now 32 years of age. They will likely take a chance on a few “projects”, but having the ready-made goal-scoring capabilities of Marsh in the final third will be incredibly useful.

As a player, he likes to play off the shoulder of the opposition. The agility, pace and power to attack space in behind. Good movement. Always on the move, and alert to the knock downs. He thrives on transitional football, and having the space to run onto the ball and with Whing likely to play a more expansive style next season then I think that they’ll be a good fit for Marsh.

Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile (Preston North End – loan)

One player that I have been impressed with when I have watched him in 2025-26 and that is just the type of player Andy Whing likes to sign – hugely technical, and with good movement – is Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile.

While he has played through the middle with AFC Fylde, I actually think that his best position is playing just off the front. At Preston North End, he showed that he was a good goal-scorer with their academy side. A clean ball-striker. More so technique than power. Good vision, and the ability to pick out the corners and caress the ball. Despite being relatively new to first-team football, I think that he has a lovely composure and calmness to him in that final action.

As a profile, Rodriguez-Gentile is incredibly diminutive. Very technical. Quick feet. Deft close control in tight spaces. I feel that he is at his most effective when playing between the lines in the half-space. Getting on the turn. That intricacy to get he ball out of his feet, receive under pressure and with his back-to-goal, and in getting shots off.

There is a confidence and a swagger about him which I really like. I think that in the best attacking sides you have got to have that player of a more unpolished, off-the-cuff profile that can produce a bit of magic out of nothing. Take risks. Always play forward. Rodriguez-Gentile has dazzled with The Coasters given his creativity and intelligence in picking a pass. That willingness to drop short and link the play. Clever movement. I would love to see what he could do playing under a coach such as Andy Whing.

The youngster may want to try and get an opportunity to play in the National League or in League Two off the back of his time with AFC Fylde, yet I personally don’t think there is any harm in him having another full season under his belt at National League North level to continue his physical development.

Max Dickov (Mansfield Town – free)

The final player that I think The Saints could look at as a prospective signing is young Mansfield Town striker Max Dickov. I feel that this would be somewhat of a coup for Town if they can get it down given that he ended the campaign on loan in League Two in Tranmere Rovers, albeit having certainly not ripped up any trees I do think that he could be attainable. 

The 24-year-old was on loan with Pete Wild’s side from Mansfield Town, however he was by no means a regular with Rovers. He signed for Brentford in 2022 off the back of a strong spell in non-league with Stockport Town, but I think that it is fair to say that he hasn’t really managed to cement a spot in the EFL and indeed first-team level since then. As such, I actually think that dropping back into non-league, playing regular minutes and providing what he is capable of may well be a sensible option for the youngster at this point in his career. 

In terms of his profile, Dickov is ideal for the way that Andy Whing wants to play. He is an energetic, front-footed, dynamic forward that plays predominantly off the left-hand side. A willing presser. A strong work ethic at the top of the pitch. Trademark out-to-in runs off the shoulder and plays on the last line with his speed. Dickov is definitely in need of that bit of polishing and an improvement in his decision-making, but I think Dickov is a good athlete and has some nice physical qualities. 

The youngster will be eager to prove himself after two stop-start spells in the Football League, and I feel that he is the exact type of signing that The Saints should be looking to make.