National League

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Brackley Town midfielder Matt Lowe has signed a one-year contract extension with the relegated National League club.

Lowe, 30, started all but one of Brackley's league matches in 2025-26, scoring one of his five goals in all competitions in their FA Cup first round victory at League Two promotion winners Notts County.

"He's a fantastic lad and has been a great servant to the football club," manager Andy Whing told Town's website, external.

"He possesses all the qualities we need in various positions for us to be successful."

Lowe has made almost 400 appearances and scored 68 goals for The Saints, initially joining on loan from his first club, Cambridge United, in 2016 before making the move permanent later that year.

The former England C international signed for Accrington Stanley in 2022 and returned to Brackley in 2024, scoring 13 times as they won the 2024-25 National League North.

"For a club that's given me so much, I couldn't let my journey end with relegation," he said. "We all have to do better and I'm determined to help put things right."

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Winger Matty Kosylo has agreed a new deal to remain at National League club Altrincham next season.

The 33-year-old winger has made 154 appearances since arriving from AFC Fylde in 2020.

"This club has become a massive part of my life over the last six years, so I'm delighted to be staying," he said.

"The support I've had from the fans since day one has been incredible and I'm excited to keep creating more memories together."

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Hartlepool United midfielder Jack Hunter has signed a new one-year deal.

The 28-year-old, who came through Newcastle's academy, joined Pools from Halifax in July 2024 and has made 64 league appearances.

"The supporters have been brilliant with me since day one and I've loved my time here over the last two seasons," Hunter, who can also play at centre-back, told the club website., external

"Obviously, as players, we all wish we'd achieved more during that period because the supporters deserve success, but there's a real determination from everyone to improve and push things forward."

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Club captain Tom Crawford has agreed a new two-year contract to stay at Altrincham.

The midfielder, who turns 27 later this week, joined the Robins from Hartlepool two years ago and has since scored seven goals in 86 league appearances.

"From the moment I walked into this club, it's felt like home," said Crawford, who was handed the captain's armband by manager Neil Gibson in February.

"The support the fans have given me has been unbelievable. I'm delighted to commit my future to Altrincham and keep building something special together."

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James Morton and Tom Hopper are leaving Southend United after helping the Shrimpers beat Wealdstone on penalties to lift the FA Trophy.

Morton started at Wembley on Sunday, while Hopper came off the bench, and both will move on when their contracts expire next month.

Cav Miley, Josh Walker and George Wind are also going when their deals end in June.

Southend have triggered options to keep Oli Coker, Charley Kendall and Harry Taylor, while they have made Harry Cardwell's loan from Forest Green Rovers permanent.

Southend say they are in talks with Collin Andeng Ndi, Keenan Appiah-Forson, Jack Bridge, Joe Gubbins, Noor Husin, Gus Scott-Morriss and Nathan Ralph about new contracts.

Director of football Oliver Gage said: "Firstly, I want to thank every player departing the football club and all of them have contributed positively during their time at Southend United.

"We're pleased to have retained a strong core within the squad, while also creating room to make targeted additions and improvements."

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Hartlepool United have agreed a new one-year deal with forward Luke Charman, with the club having the option of a further 12 months until the summer of 2028.

Charman, 28, has scored seven goals in 66 games for Pools since joining from Fylde in 2024.

He is the first player tied to a new deal under Hartlepool's new head coach Lee Clark.

Midfielder Tom Knowles will leave Forest Green Rovers this summer after a "legacy error" in his contract meant the club did not have an option to extend his deal.

Knowles scored 10 goals in 45 National League games this season, having joined the club from Walsall in 2024.

"We believed an option had been triggered on Tom's contract following the conclusion of the season," a club statement said.

"However, due to a legacy administrative error, this extension was not an option, meaning Tom will leave the club.

"Unfortunately, Tom has decided to look at other opportunities and has played his last game in the FGR colours."

Forest Green have, however, signed defender Kyle Ajayi from National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town on a two-year contract.

The 25-year-old made 41 appearances this season and as captain, helped Hemel finish fifth in the table and reach the first round proper of the FA Cup, in which they lost to League One side Wigan Athletic on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

"A club legend through and through," Hemel posted on X.

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Long-serving goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore is among six players to be released by Boreham Wood following their play-off final defeat by Rochdale at Wembley earlier this month.

The 36-year-old made more than 250 appearances for The Wood but featured in only 12 National League games this season, spending two loan spells with Bedford Town in the National League North.

Also leaving Boreham Wood are full-back Cameron Coxe, defender Joe Newton and midfielders Erico Sousa, Jack Payne and Charles Clayden.

Experienced defender Femi Ilesanmi, who has made more than 350 appearances for Boreham Wood is in talks to extend his stay at Meadow Park.

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Southend United have named Jonathan Duckett as their new head of recruitment just 24 hours after the National League club sacked head coach Kevin Maher.

Duckett arrives at Roots Hall having spent two years in a similar role at the Blues' county rivals, Colchester United.

He has also previously had roles in recruitment and technical scouting with Norwich City and the Football Association.

Southend sacked Maher despite the club reaching the National League play-offs and winning the FA Trophy at Wembley on Sunday.

"Jon has operated at a very high level across recruitment, scouting and player identification for many years, and his recent experience leading recruitment within League Two was particularly important to us," Southend's director of football Oliver Gage told the club website., external

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Kidderminster Harriers assistant manager Stuart Watkiss and first-team coach Mario Oliveira have both left the newly-promoted National League club.

Watiss is a former Harriers boss and returned to Aggborough in October to join the coaching set-up of then boss Adam Murray.

Former Nottingham Forest and Lincoln City coach Oliveira had been with Harriers since July last year.

Their departures follow Murray's exit to become Barrow's new manager last week.

Harriers, who are back in the National League next season after winning the play-off final, are yet to announce who will replace Murray on a permanent basis.