Title was made in Halesowen

Leamington manager Paul Holleran says his side’s title success was borne out of his failures at Halesowen.
Leamington players celebrate with the imposing Southern League Premier Division shield. MHLC-27-04-13 Brakes Apr92Leamington players celebrate with the imposing Southern League Premier Division shield. MHLC-27-04-13 Brakes Apr92
Leamington players celebrate with the imposing Southern League Premier Division shield. MHLC-27-04-13 Brakes Apr92

Brakes were presented with the Southern League Premier Division shield on Saturday after beating St Albans 2-1 to record their 30th win of an unforgettable season.

The club have been in pole position since January and finished the season with a 12-point advantage over Stourbridge.

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However, Holleran says memories of a similar position at The Yeltz forced him to keep improving Brakes’ squad despite their elevated position.

“It goes back to the time when I was at Halesowen and we were right in the mix at Christmas,” said Holleran.

“But I stuck with the same group and we ran out of legs.”

Top of the Southern League Premier table going into December 2005, Halesowen fell away to such an extent that they missed out on the play-offs.

And Holleran said the team strengthening during the season was crucial to prevent Brakes suffering the same fate.

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“We were 80 per cent right at the start of the season with the two banks of four.

“Micky Tuohy and Alex Taylor were big losses so getting Ricky Johnson in when we did, Stefan Moore and Laurie Walker were key points in the season for us.

“We improved but it was also important we kept what we had.

“The four players we brought in, with Martyn Naylor being the fourth, added a lot to the squad.”