Luton Town have confirmed former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere will be the club’s new first team manager.

Wilshere, 33, has signed a contract of undisclosed length at Kenilworth Road as the Hatters’ successor to Matt Bloomfield, who was dismissed as Luton’s Head Coach last week after a slow start to the 2025/26 League Two season.

The Hatters have also confirmed that Chris Powell will serve as his assistant manager, bringing in a man who previously served as a first-team manager at Charlton and Huddersfield, as well as working in coaching roles with the England national team, Spurs and Sheffield Wednesday among others.

The move is Wilshere’s first appointment as a first team manager or head coach. After retiring from the game due to persistent injury issues, Wilshere had moved into coaching, having previously served as a head coach of Arsenal’s under-18s team and working as an assistant at Norwich City last season, taking care of the final games of the season after Norwich dismissed Johannes Hoff Thorup.

Wilshere’s move sees him make a full circle return to Luton, having begun his playing career in the Hatters’ academy set up before moving to Arsenal at age 9 in the early 2000s. He made close to 200 first team appearances for Arsenal, winning 2 FA Cups in the mid-2010s and also winning 34 England national team caps.

The move sees Wilshere become Luton’s third permanent manager or head coach of 2025, after the Hatters dismissed Rob Edwards in January and Bloomfield last week. The club currently sit 11th in the League One table after 11 matches, with the Hatters having been relegated in each of the last two seasons to fall from the Premier League to English football’s third tier.

In a statement on the Luton Town website, Wilshere voiced his excitement at becoming the club’s new boss.

He said, “It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be named Luton Town manager. It feels like a full-circle moment for me. I was eight when I first came to Luton as a boy, so I guess you could say it’s fate that my first full-time club managerial position is at this club.

“I couldn’t be more delighted to be here – I can’t wait to manage this football club.

“This Club’s story inspires me. Built on belief, unity, and hard work. The Club have shown incredible character on and off the pitch in recent times, and I’m honoured to lead to take the responsibility to lead this group into the future.

“There’s so much of the season still to play for and I’m excited about getting to work and putting my own stamp on things, and moving this club forward in a positive direction.

“I want to give the Luton fans a team they can be proud of, and the work to do that starts today.”

Luton Town CEO Gary Sweet added, “Jack’s passion, intelligence, and modern approach to the game align perfectly with the values and ambitions of Luton Town. His experience at the highest level and commitment to developing talent make him the ideal fit for our next chapter.

“Luton has always been a part of his journey, and as a club renowned for giving young coaches their break in management, we are so pleased to welcome him back.

“He already knows a number of our squad, and as a Board we are all excited at the prospect of seeing his career progress alongside someone as respected in the game as Chris.”

Brackley Town will host Notts County in the First Round of the FA Cup if they can win tomorrow night’s replay with Woking.

Ahead of a replay due to take place at St James Park tomorrow (14/10), the Saints have found out that they would be taking on League Two opposition as a reward, as per the draw earlier today (13/10).

The eventual tie will be held on the weekend around Saturday 1 November, with specific kick-off date and time, any TV coverage and ticket information to be revealed in due course.

Brackley had played out a 1-1 draw with Woking on Saturday (11/10) in the final qualifying round before the First Round proper of this season’s FA Cup. The stalemate in the all-National League tie means a replay is required to confirm the victor.

By virtue of being in the National League for the first time, the match was Brackley’s only FA Cup qualifier. The FA Cup tie comes after a reasonable start to the first ever National League campaign for the Saints. They sit 16th in the table, winning 4 of their opening 13 matches in the division and are currently 4 points clear of the relegation zone.

The Saints have reached the FA Cup First Round on six previous occasions, including last season when they managed a run through to the Second Round, equalling the club’s best run in the competition.

Prospective opponents Notts County currently sit in 13th position in the League Two table, albeit just three points off the play-offs. The Magpies are one time winners of the FA Cup, lifting the trophy in 1894.

Brackley Town will be in the draw for the First Round of the FA Cup after a draw against fellow National League side Woking.

A 1-1 draw at Woking’s Kingfield Stadium means a replay will be required to determine who will advance to the FA Cup First Round, with the two sides in the FA Cup First Round draw to be held later today (13/10).

The Saints are aiming to reach the FA Cup First Round, having done so six times before and even reaching the Second Round on 4 previous occasions.

Saturday’s match saw Brackley take the lead through a 13th minute strike by Matt Lowe, only for Woking debutant Ashley Boatswain to grab a second half equaliser for the hosts.

The two teams will meet at Brackley’s St James Park for a replay tomorrow (14/10), with the winner to play a tie to be determined by the FA Cup First Round draw later today. The draw will be broadcast on the TNT Sport YouTube channel from around 6:30pm, with Woking or Brackley to be ball number 65.

Round One of the FA Cup is scheduled to take place around Saturday November 1st.

MK Dons will face a trip to play fellow League Two outfit Colchester United in the First Round of the FA Cup.

The Dons’ first assignment in the FA Cup for the 2025/26 season will take them to Essex, with the match taking place on the weekend around Saturday 1 November.

A specific kick-off date and time and details of any TV coverage will be announced in due course.

The match will see the Dons take on a side currently sat in 16th position in League Two, although they have recorded victories in their last two outings at time of writing. Dan Crowley’s side features multiple former Dons, with all of Jack Payne, Jack Tucker and current captain Tom Flanagan having all previously played for MK, while the Dons’ Alex Gilbey previously represented Colchester.

MK Dons are yet to play Colchester in a league match so far this season, with their first scheduled meeting due to be in Essex on New Year’s Day. The return league fixture in Milton Keynes takes place in March.