This Northamptonshire club, which plays in the National League, has repeatedly given fans and bettors moments of triumph. Founded in 1890, Brackley Town is known for its cup and playoff victories, which have led to large payouts.
Victory in the 2018 FA Trophy final
One of the most memorable moments in Brackley Town's history, according to experts at bookmaker Finestwager, occurred on 19 May 2018 in the FA Trophy final against Hitchin Town at Wembley Stadium. Brackley, representing the Northern Conference, were considered favourites, but the odds on their victory hovered around 2.5, making the bet attractive to those who believed in the team's attacking style. The match started tensely: in the first 20 minutes, Hitchin pressed, creating two dangerous chances, but Brackley goalkeeper David Jordan dealt with them confidently. In the 28th minute, midfielder Sean McGowan opened the scoring with a precise shot from 20 metres after a counterattack. Brackley dominated possession (58 per cent), with 12 shots on goal compared to their opponents' seven.
In the second half, Hitchin increased the pressure, but in the 67th minute, striker Aaron Sterling doubled the lead with a one-on-one finish. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 win for Brackley after Hitchin scored in the 82nd minute. The victory earned the club the trophy and £120,000 in prize money. The match was a gold mine for bettors: one player bet £500 on Brackley to win and received about £1,250. Another, risking £1,000 on the exact score of 2-1, won £4,500, as the odds reached 4.5.
Sensational result in the 2011/12 Conference North play-offs
In May 2012, Brackley Town entered the Northern Conference and immediately secured a place in the playoffs. The semi-final against Altrincham on 5 May was a real thriller. Brackley, as a newcomer to the league, had odds of around 3.8 to win in the first away match. The game began with the hosts dominating: in the 12th minute, Altrincham took a 1-0 lead after a penalty. Brackley responded in the 35th minute with a goal from defender Mark Turner from a corner. In the second half, John Collins's team increased the pressure, creating eight shots on target against their opponents' five.
In the 72nd minute, striker Dwayne Clifton scored the winning goal after a solo run, ending the match 2-1. In the return leg at home on 8 May, Brackley led 2-0 at half-time thanks to a brace from Matt McGowan, but Altringham fought back to win 4-2 on aggregate. The odds for Brackley to advance were 4.2. One bettor put £200 on their overall victory and received £840. Another, betting £300 on over 2.5 goals in both games, won £1,200 at odds of 4.0.
Triumph in the 2023/24 playoffs and promotion to the National League
The 2023/24 season was the culmination for Brackley Town: they won Conference North and advanced to the National League. The key match was the playoff semi-final against Chorley on 2 May 2024. Brackley played at home, with odds of 2.2 to win. The match started actively: in the 15th minute, the hosts took the lead thanks to a goal by Jordan Cox from a penalty after a foul in the penalty area. Chorley responded in the 28th minute with a long-range shot, but goalkeeper Luke Jennings made the save.
In the second half, Brackley controlled the game, possessing 62 per cent of the ball and taking 14 shots. In the 55th minute, Tom Parr scored the second goal with a header after a set piece, and in the 78th minute, Jack Fai scored the final goal after a counterattack, making the score 3-0. The odds for a straight win with a -1.5 handicap were 3.5. In the final against Boston United on 7 May, Brackley led 1-0 but lost 1-2 in extra time. Bets on reaching the final paid off handsomely: a player who bet £400 on a semi-final win won £880. Another bet £1,500 on over 2.5 goals and won £5,250 at odds of 3.5.
Other notable matches with large payouts
Brackley Town has often surprised in cup competitions. In the first round of the 2024 FA Cup against Stockport County (League 2), the odds for an upset reached 5.0. The match on 30 November ended 1-3, but bets on Brackley to score (odds of 2.8) earned one player £1,400 from a £500 stake. In another case, in 2015 in the play-offs against Halifax, odds of 3.2 on a pass resulted in a £3,200 win from £1,000. These matches highlight how Brackley creates opportunities for big wins.