National League Brackley Town chairman Francis Oliver is stepping down after 22 years in the post.
From the chairman, Francis Oliver:
I am writing to you as a momentous season concludes and preparations for the new season are well and truly underway.
I stepped into the role of chairman in 2003 and never thought I would still be in post more than 20 years later! With the support of our community and hard work by so many people the club has come a long way. With the club well placed and poised for even greater things in the years ahead this is the time for me to step aside as chairman. Matt Wise has been a director and has been heavily involved with the club for many years. Matt will now step in as chair and does so with my best wishes.
I have every confidence in Matt, our CEO Janene, who oversees and directs the everyday running of the club, and newly appointed director, Tim Carroll, who has also been involved with the club for many years. This group will need your backing and support in the uncharted territory the club will find ourselves in next season. I will remain as a director and will continue to enjoy time around the club and assisting Janene and the board as best I can as the club faces the inevitable challenges and continues to grow and develop.
Saturday 26 April 2025 was an amazing day – in my opinion the best ever among the many highs we have had as a club. And with the Ladies’ team winning three trophies I could not be taking a step back at a better time.
I
could not feel more proud of our club and its place in the town. In my
22 years at the helm we have seen a remarkable journey from a local team
playing in the Hellenic League to a team that will now be competing in
the top division of non-league football. The growth in the number of
boys and girls enjoying their football with us and the magnificent
Saints Community Project on Wednesdays are just two aspects of what the
club does and both are especially close to my heart. The Community
Project was set up some ten years ago. It has gone from strength to
strength and now plays a vital part in the lives of so many people
providing an opportunity to get out of the house on a Wednesday and meet
other people to have a chat or join in when we have live entertainment.
Well done to everyone involved in that amazing project - thank you. Who
would have believed all this!
I have not mentioned here any
particular people who have been involved in the club during my
stewardship as there are so many of you. I would however like to thank
everyone who has helped in this journey - it could not have been
achieved without your help, advice, input and hard work.
I now need to spend more time with my family and sorting out the many tasks that have been put to one side for too long. From a proud man who has taken pride in everything we have achieved together - our town, our club, our community. Come on you Saints!
From CEO, Janene Butters:
Our
long-standing chairman, known universally as Olly, has been the rock
upon which the survival and success of the club have been built. The
club has been through some difficult times, not least the terrible fire,
but Olly has steered the ship through troubled waters keeping the club
on a firm financial footing, something that is almost unique among
football clubs. Much of Olly’s work is behind the scenes but without it
the club would not be where it is today. On a personal note he has been
an amazing support for me and I know for so many people. I am delighted
that he will stay on the board as a director where the club will
continue to benefit from his wise, steady counsel and huge knowledge of
what goes on behind the scenes at a non-league football club. I know I
speak on behalf of supporters, old and young, in thanking Olly for his
decades-long service to the club.