Blow for Brackley Town as defender snubs new contract to return to National League North rivals

Head coach Andy Whing was keen to keep hold of central defender Zak Lilly but the 27-year-old has snubbed his offer of a new deal.

After three seasons at St James Park, Lilly will depart and rejoin AFC Telford United, where he first made his senior breakthrough a decade ago.

In his initial spell at Telford, Lilly made 62 first-team appearances between 2015 and 2022 before his eventual exit for Hereford.

From there, Lilly had a brief spell at Stourbridge ahead of signing for Brackley in July 2023, where he has been ever since.

In three years with the Saints, Lilly made 121 appearances, scoring nine goals. In that time, he was one of the first names on the team sheet, particularly under popular former boss Gavin Cowan.

It’s a move closer to home for Lilly, who was born in Walsall and grew up in and around Shropshire.

Brackley would have loved to have kept Lilly around for their return to the National League North, however the defender will instead turn out for one of their new divisional rivals.

Telford have been regulars in the National League North, spending the best part of the last two decades in the sixth tier.

There was a two-year recent drop to the Southern League Premier Central - where Brackley’s local rivals Banbury United play - but the Bucks soon bounced back.

Last season was Telford’s first back in the National League North and they did brilliantly, finishing 11th.

The Bucks will be eager to kick on with Lilly back in the team and they are poised to do just that, given he’s now 27 and in his prime years.

For Brackley, on the other hand, it’s back to the drawing board as Whing discusses with his new recruitment staff - Gareth Dean and Joe Taylor - who to replace Lilly with.

As revealed in a recent interview, Whing already has a host of targets in each position as he seeks to rebuild Brackley’s squad ahead of next season.