Brackley Town will host Eastleigh on August 9th in their first ever National League match.

The Saints won promotion to the 5th tier of English football for the first time in 2025 after winning last season’s National League North.

After the publication of the 2025/26 National League fixtures earlier today (09/07), the Saints have found out their first assignment in the National League will see them welcome an Eastleigh team who finished 13th in the National League last season.

A week later, the first ever away match in the division sees them travel to play a Morecambe side who were relegated from last season’s League 2 in the EFL. Brackley make the trip to Lancashire on August 16th.

A busy August for the Saints will see them also play matches against Yeovil Town, Rochdale, Tamworth and fellow newly promoted outfit Scunthorpe United.

One noteworthy early game will see Brackley welcome Carlisle United, with Mark Hughes’ team that were relegated from League Two in May making the trip to Northamptonshire for a midweek match in early September.

Over the busy Christmas period, Brackley will welcome last season’s play-off semi-finalists Forest Green Rovers on Boxing Day. Their last home game before Christmas will be against on December 20th.

Brackley’s last away game of 2025 will be at Boston United on December 30th, with their first game of 2026 being a trip to Rochdale on January 3rd.

January will bring Brackley on one of their longest trips of the season in midweek, when they travel to play National League South champions Truro City on January 20th.

Brackley’s season finale will be one of their other longest trips of the campaign, as they make the trip to Carlisle on the final day of the National League season on April 25th 2026. They welcome Aldershot Town to St James’ Park on April 18th in their final home match of the season.

Milton Keynes Theatre have announced additional cast members for the upcoming 2025 Christmas Pantomime Goldilocks and The Three Beats.

A circus themed run of the Goldilocks story headlined by pantomime star Brian Conley is appearing at the venue from Saturday 6 Dec 2025 to Sun 11 Jan 2026.

The theatre has now announced additional names for the performance with one noteworthy casting choice seeing Brian joined on-stage by his daughter Lucy, with the duo having performed together in Bristol last year and in Milton Keynes in the 2023 pantomime.

Lucy will star as Goldilocks, while additional performers include renowned dame David Robbins as Dame Betty Barnum, panto baddie Phil Corbitt as Baron Von Blackheart, and magician Phil Hitchcock as The Magical Mysterioso.

Lucy Conley began her professional career at the age of 12, starring as Tommy Cooper’s daughter alongside David Threlfall and Amanda Redman in ITV’s Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This.

She later went on to win gold at the Destination Imagination Comedy Improv UK Nationals in 2018 at just 16 years old. Her pantomime credits include Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Richmond Theatre, 2022 and Bristol Hippodrome, 2024) and Cinderella (Milton Keynes Theatre, 2023). Outside of pantomime season, Lucy performs regularly at Brasserie Zédel’s Crazy Coqs in Piccadilly Circus, delighting audiences with jazz and stand-up comedy.

David Robbins trained in stage management with a focus on wardrobe and prop-making, later touring as a puppeteer with Dragon Island and directing the Dab Hand Puppet Company. His credits include Whistle Down the Wind, Doctor Dolittle, The Rocky Horror Show, Goodbye Mr Chips, and work with Chichester Festival Theatre, Thorpe Park, and P&O Cruises. A seasoned Dame, he has played roles including Sarah the Cook, Dotty Dolittle, and spent 12 seasons as an Ugly Sister with Martin Ramsdin. He now regularly appears as Dame across the UK and designs all his own costumes and wigs, also working year-round as a professional wig maker.

Phil Corbitt’s stage career spans UK and international tours, with roles in Hamlet, The Tempest, A Streetcar Named Desire, Much Ado About Nothing, and Twelfth Night. He has worked extensively across major regional theatres including Northern Stage, Storyhouse Chester, and the Theatre Royal Newcastle. His credits range from Kinky Boots and Brassed Off to The Hired Man and Macbeth. On screen, Phil has appeared in Vera, Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, and films including Peterloo and Almost Married.

Phil Hitchcock is a celebrated magician and illusionist with an illustrious career spanning over three decades. Known for his captivating performances that blend mesmerising illusions with a touch of humour, Hitchcock has enthralled audiences around the globe. He made his breakthrough stateside when he was asked to perform for Siegfried and Roy at the renowned Tropicana in Las Vegas. He has since been crowned the British Magical Grand Prix champion and was recently flown out to Disneyland to appear alongside Diana Ross.

Also joining the cast, direct from Zippo’s Circus, will be The Timbuktu Tumblers. The acrobatic team from Kenya delight audiences with their skill, infectious personality, and their almost superhuman strength, and they have become firm pantomime favourites. Following their appearance in Peter Pan at Newcastle Theatre Royal, they were delighted to be the recipients of the ‘Best Speciality Act Award’ at The Great British Pantomime Awards. They continued their success in Peter Pan at Birmingham Hippodrome, then again in Peter Pan at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, Robinson Crusoe at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth and Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Bristol Hippodrome.

Emma Sullivan, Theatre Director at Milton Keynes Theatre, said, “Two years ago, audiences adored the on-stage chemistry and comedy banter between panto legend Brian Conley and his daughter Lucy, so we are beyond thrilled to be once again welcoming back not one but two members of the Conley family for this year’s festive season!”

The five weeks of the pantomime will see Milton Keynes Theatre play host to Goldilocks’ circus, which is under threat from an evil rival circus owner. With the help of their circus friends, they’re battling to rescue their Big Top from ruin. Will they succeed? All seems lost, until three brilliant bears join the gang…

People interested in seeing the show can book their tickets today at ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes.

Red Bull Racing have announced they have parted company with Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner, who will be replaced by Laurent Mekies.

Horner has been removed from his duties by Red Bull after 20 years in charge of the Milton Keynes-based racing team.

The 51-year-old had been appointed as team boss in 2004 when Red Bull brought the struggling Jaguar team. In his time, the team have been a successful force in Formula One, with Red Bull winning 124 races, 8 Driver’s Championships and 6 Constructor’s Championships.

In a brief statement, Red Bull’s parent company said, “Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today.”

The team then posted on Instagram, “After 20 years with the Team, Christian Horner departs Oracle Red Bull Racing as Team Principal and CEO.

“We thank him for his tireless and exceptional work. He has been instrumental in building this Team into one of the most successful in Formula 1.

“Thank you for everything Christian, you will forever remain an important part of our team’s history.”

Multiple reports say that the Red Bull board informed Horner on Tuesday night (08/07) of their decision to part ways, with Horner then delivering the news to staff at the team’s Milton Keynes factory earlier today (09/07) shortly before the news became public.

The team have had trouble on and off track of late. The team’s racing performance has declined, with the team having struggled for form in the second half of 2024 and then finding themselves sat 4th in the Constructor’s Championship in 2025, winning just two of the opening 12 races.

Multiple key personnel have also left the team, with Chief Technical Officer and celebrated car designer Adrian Newey joining Aston Martin, Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley becoming team boss at Sauber and Chief Engineering Officer Rob Marshall joining McLaren. Head of Strategy Will Courtenay is set to join McLaren in 2026 after agreeing a move to leave Red Bull.

Further questions have also been seen over Red Bull’s driver line-up. The team’s second seat has been subject to severe flux, with Sergio Perez dismissed at the end of the 2024 season after a loss of form, but only after he had been originally handed a 2 year contract extension. Perez’s replacement Liam Lawson was shoved aside after only two races to make way for Yuki Tsunoda, who has struggled.

Star driver Max Verstappen has also been strongly linked with an exit, with rumours persisting over the last two weeks of a move to Mercedes for 2026.

Verstappen himself said on social media, “From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes. Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian!”

Horner’s professional conduct also came into public question in early 2024 after he was strongly accused of misconduct by a female employee of the team. Two separate tribunals later cleared Horner of misconduct.

While that was going on, however, a power struggle was brought into the open, with Verstappen’s father Jos repeatedly criticising Horner over the scandal and Verstappen himself saying he would leave if Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko was forced out.

Red Bull have announced a further reshuffle of their operations. Mekies will be promoted from his role as Team Principal at the company’s second team Racing Bulls to run Red Bull Racing. The former Ferrari Racing Director, who was a race engineer at Red Bull’s second team when it was known as Toro Rosso in the mid-to-late 2000s, will take charge with immediate effect.

His role at Racing Bulls will be filled by Alan Permane, with the team’s Racing Director promoted to be Racing Bulls’ new Team Principal. Permane, who worked in multiple roles for the Enstone-based F1 team in its various guises as Renault, Lotus and Alpine, will also take up the role with immediate effect.

Mekies said in a statement, “Over the last year and a half it has been an absolute privilege to lead Visa Cash App Racing Bulls and I would like to thank all of our talented people both in Faenza and Milton Keynes. Looking to the future, I am excited to be taking on the role of CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, one of the most successful and dynamic teams in the sport.

“It’s an honour to be part of this group of brilliant people that embody the Red Bull spirit. Together we will achieve great results, building on the incredible legacy left by Christian Horner during his two decades in charge.”

Northamptonshire Police have confirmed 20 people were arrested for assorted offences during the British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone.

In their debrief of covering the event at the track located in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, the police force covering the event revealed 34 crimes were reported, including theft, criminal damage, assault and drugs possession, and that 20 arrests were made.

Around 500,000 people visited the circuit for the UK’s largest sporting event, with more than 160,000 spectators at the track in attendance on race day on Sunday (06/07).

A security operation helmed by Northamptonshire Police covered the track during the multi-day event.

Uniformed and plain-clothed police officers were on duty throughout the event patrolling the circuit, campsites and surrounding villages and road network. They were supported by colleagues from Thames Valley Police, and the Special Constabulary from both forces.

Specialist resources, including armed officers, search teams, disruption officers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) units, also carried out extensive patrols, while the national Live Facial Recognition team provided additional security support.

Many additional people worked hard behind the scenes providing vital assistance to the operation, including the event organisers at Silverstone, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service and the Highways Agency.

Superintendent Pete Basham led the policing operation for the event. As well as acknowledging police colleagues, emergency service and other partners for their support for the huge four-day operation, he also thanked the public for their part in helping to ensure a safe and secure event.

He said, “A huge amount of planning goes into ensuring those attending the British Grand Prix have the best possible experience and a safe and enjoyable visit to our county. 

“With nearly half a million people attending the event over the four day period, it was an extremely busy time for all involved. Inevitably, there were a number of incidents that we were called to deal with, however, this is what we plan for.

“During the entire event, a total of 34 crimes were reported, including theft, criminal damage, assault and drugs possession, with 20 arrests made.

“Considering the size of the event and the sheer volume of people on site and staying in the surrounding area, the overall number of incidents has been low. We’re always going to have incidents with this volume of people coming into an event, but thankfully the need for policing has been very limited over the last few days. 

“Policing the British Grand Prix is a significant operation but there is always a real buzz around the event and officers enjoy engaging with the crowd. I hope everyone who came to the event in whatever capacity had an enjoyable visit, and many congratulations to Lando Norris on his victory!”