Edwards hopes Brakes can 'kick on'

Club captain Jack Edwards is hoping Leamington will be ready to “really kick on” in the National League North next season.

The regular campaign for 2019-20 is now officially over after the final league placings were decided on a points per game basis with the majority of National League clubs voting in favour of the ordinary resolution to bring things to a close.

Brakes were in 17th place when the season was suspended due to the Covid-19 outbreak and dropped to a final placing of 18th on the points per game ratio.

Either way, they were well clear of the relegation zone and finished in a position that midfielder Edwards reflected their overall campaign.

Thoughts are now turning towards the next season with hopes that it will get under way sometime in September.

And when it does, Edwards believes Paul Holleran’s team will be looking to push on.

“It was an interesting and strange scenario for everybody with it being cut short,” Edwards, who has now racked up over 250 appearances and was voted the players’ player of the season, said.

“Where we finished probably reflected where we would have finished at the end of the season.

“We are happy to stay up but I think, as a club, we want to try to push on next year.

“Having spoken to the lads and the manager, it looks like we will retain the core of the squad that we had last season and I think we will really kick on.

“Personally, I have never felt as fit as I do now and this break has given us all time to recuperate and focus on what is important.

“Playing 60 games a season is a really tough ask in non-League when you are working full-time and sometimes you need a period of reflection.

“I know I now feel very motivated to get back and see everyone and I think we all just want to get back into training and do what we love.”

Edwards, meanwhile, completed his first-ever marathon last weekend.

The midfielder chose to do the 26.2-mile challenge in the local area to help raise money for former Leamington player Morton Titterton’s fund for the Brain Tumour Charity.

Edwards completed the route in an impressive three hours and 43 minutes and brought in over £1,000 for the charity.