Owen and Daly commit to Brakes, two more on radar

Daly is closing in on 100 appearances for Brakes, and will start his second full season at the New Windmill since signing in 2010 from Halesowen Town, where his central defensive partnership with Jamie Hood first began.

He spent a short spell at Barwell last term, but returned to help Holleran’s men to a solid finish to the campaign.

Owen enjoyed a promising first season at Southern Premier Division level following his move from Sutton Coldfield Town, particularly in the closing months when he was operating in his favoured position in the centre of midfield.

Holleran was pleased to be able to tie two players down to deals, saying: “It’s great news that we have been able to secure the majority of last season’s squad.

“It shows the players themselves believe in what we are trying to do.

“There are likely to be some more additions as we seek to create strong competition within the squad, but I am pleased that we have been able to do a lot of early business.’

“I have said before that continuity is important. This group of players now have to build upon their 12-game unbeaten run.

“It shows that they have the ability, but now they have to transform that into results over the course of a season.”

Holleran is still looking to bolster his attacking options in the wake of Jacob Blyth’s transfer to Leicester City and Lee Steele’s retirement.

David Kolodynski is also unlikely to return to the New Windmill after sending his CV out to a number of clubs and criticising the windy nature of Brakes’ exposed home.

Dean Perrow and Lewis Powell have been brought in from Chasetown and Chippenham, respectively, but Holleran is hopeful of having two more strikers in place when pre-season training kicks off.

One of those is thought to be Tom Berwick, who left the New Windmill for Redditch United last December after struggling to find a way past the first-choice pairing of Blyth and Kolodynski.

Holleran is also holding secondary talks this week with a “raw” targetman with limited Southern League experience who he believes will provide the perfect foil for Perrow or Powell.