Breeden is the number one choice for Brakes

Breeden left the New Windmill in December 2011 to join Kidderminster before moving on to fellow Conference Premier side Tamworth.

He made 39 appearance for The Lambs last season, but despite being an almost ever-present, manager Dale Belford has chosen to pursue other goalkeeping otions.

The 25-year-old has since decided to return to the semi-professional game and Brakes boss Paul Holleran said he was the obvious choice when it came to replacing loanee Laurie Walker.

“We’ve had some decent goalkeepers in my time here and I know how important it is to get it right,” said Holleran.

“I was aware that Laurie Walker was only on loan until the end of the season and it was a complicated scenario in that Laurie works for (Brackley manager) Jon Brady and that Jon had offered him a contract.

“I knew we’d need an experienced goalkeeper and Tony has remained around the club, coming down to sportsman’s dinners and I’ve worked with him for a long time.

“He was the number one choice.”

Holleran was keen to emphasise the move was not a backward step for Breeden, who has made almost 70 appearances in a season-and-a-half at Conference Premier level, pointing to a more mature 
outlook from the keeper fuelling the move.

“Sometimes players move to professional clubs and sign a deal that’s not great as they want to help their profile in the hope the deal will eventually improve.

“It gets more difficult to do that as you get older and Tony has got a flat and settled down and it no longer balances.

“He’s realised the best thing for him is to come back into part-time football.”

And having kept a close eye on Breeden’s development in the pro ranks, Holleran believes fans will notice the improvement when the Conference North season kicks off on August 17.

“I’ve seen him play a few times in the Conference,” he said.

“Over the last two years he’s gone up another notch and I’m delighted to have got him.”

The arrival of Breeden means Brakes’ squad is now taking shape with 19-year-old shot-stopper Lewis Fenney having signed last week from Boldmere St Michaels.

Fenney, who has also had spells at Cambridge United and Rushall Olympic, returns to the New Windmill having made one previous appearance for the club in 2011/12.

Another slightly more familiar face making a return to the club is Jamie Towers, who rejoins following a four-year spell at Barwell.

Towers made 112 appearances and scored 19 goals in two previous spells at Leamington and notched well over half a century of goals for The Kirkby Roaders, where he was used in a more advanced role.

“We’re delighted to have been able to sign Jamie,” said Holleran. “He’s been a key player for Barwell over the last few years.

“He will be a tremendous acquisition to the squad as he is a versatile player who will add further goalscoring ability.”

Joe Magunda, Lee Chilton, Matty Dodd, James Mace, Craig Owen and Martyn Naylor have all agreed terms in the past weekto remain at the club next season.

They join Richard Batchelor and Liam Daly in commiting their future to Leamington and Holleran says he expects the majority of last season’s title-winning squad to go into the pre-season campaign.

Talks are ongoing with Stefan Moore, Lee Moore, Ricky Johnson and Stefan Morley, while Tom Berwick has only just returned from holiday.

Jimmy Husband’s retirement has left Brakes short of wing options but Holleran is in no rush to replace the popular utility man.

“There are one or two young lads to look at and I wouldn’t mind a left-sided player.

“We’re keeping an eye out, but I’m more than happy where we are at the moment.

“We’re going into the unknown to an extent.

“You only have to look at the calibre of players Altrincham and Stockport are signing to know it’s going to be a tough ask.

“But we’re looking forward to it.”