Top boss Wilkin deflects praise to Brackley Town's volunteers

Kevin Wilkin was quick to deflect the praise to others at Brackley Town after he was named the manager of the month for December in the Vanarama National League North.

The Saints’ season burst into life at the end of last year with an impressive run of results in December with a 1-1 draw at Leamington being followed by four league wins in a row against Guiseley, Spennymoor Town, Blyth Spartans and league leaders Gloucester City.

It’s a run that has continued into the early stages of the new year with a 1-1 draw with Kettering Town and a 2-0 success over Darlington extending the unbeaten run in the league to eight matches.

It has helped put Brackley right in the thick of things at the top end of the table and while Wilkin was delighted to pick up the award, he insisted it was a reflection of the work being done behind the scenes as volunteers at all clubs do their bit to help keep football going during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It’s a reflection of what the players have done but also the people behind the scenes, the ones who don’t get the pat on the back and perhaps the recognition they deserve,” the Brackley manager said.

“We had a slow start to the season and we have done well over the last month or so and there are a lot of people who deserve credit for me being lucky enough to get that award.

“The volunteers at the club we really rely on heavily and they have all stepped up to the plate and have been very diligent in what they have been doing.

“I would like to think it’s a reflection that as much as it is the playing side.

“It’s important you have people like that at any club and we are lucky enough to have plenty of people who work really hard and very rarely get the recognition they deserve.

“It’s great that they have. They enabled us to play in the play-offs in the summer and they are keeping this season moving forward.

“It means the players and management staff can focus on the job and get on with the most important thing which is winning games.”