Match Preview: Stratford Town (A) - Friendly - Sat 4th July, 3pm
Date: Saturday 4th July 2026
Time: 3pm
Opponent: Stratford Town FC
Venue: The Arden Garages Stadium, Knights Lane, Tiddington, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 7BZ
Admission Prices: £5 Adults/Concessions, U12s free, accompanied by an adult.
It doesn’t even seem 5 minutes since the end of the 2025-26 season, but Nuneaton Town return to action on Saturday as they travel to the southern end of the county to face Southern Premier League Central side Stratford Town in their first pre-season friendly.
As Nuneaton prepare for life in Step 4 for the first time since 2009-10, the Bards provide a stern test. Amongst their new signings - former Nuneaton Town man Tali Jallow, who spent the latter part of last season with us. The Bards finished 11th last season after a run of just one loss in nine ensured their safety, after a tough start that saw them pick up just two points from their first 5 games.
Stratford have some company this season as local sides Leamington (relegated from the National League North) and Racing Club Warwick (promoted from the NPL Division 1 Midlands) provide some good Warwickshire derbies this season. Nuneaton of course have not just their own Warwickshire derby but The Oval derby against landlords Bedworth United.
New signings Finn Osborn, Harry Chesterton, Aaron Roberts, Luke Softley, Caine Elliott, Bradley Stretton, Liam Murphy and the returning James Armson could all feature.
Previous meetings:
30th September 2023 - Southern League Premier Central
Stratford Town 0-3 Nuneaton Borough*
(Stenson 3) *result expunged
11th February 2023 - Southern League Premier Central
Nuneaton Borough 1-0 Stratford Town
(Storer)
About our opponents:
Formed in 1941 as Stratford Rangers, the current Stratford Town club was reformed in 1998, playing in the Midland Combination and Midland Alliance until achieving promotion to the the Southern League Division 1 South and West in 2013. In their second season they were promoted via the play offs to the Southern League Premier Central where they have remained since. They moved into their Knight’s Lane ground in 2007-08, and have since installed a 3G pitch. They are nicknamed ‘The Bards’ after famous local playwright William Shakespeare. Owen James was their top striker last season with 13 goals, and continues with the club this season.
