Justin Donawa is “over the moon” after helping Brackley Town clinch promotion to the National League for the first time in the club’s history.

The Saints were level on points with fellow Vanarama National League North title hopefuls Kidderminster Harriers heading into the final round of league fixtures, but a thumping 5-0 home win against Farsley Celtic finally helped them to clear the last hurdle after they had fallen short several times in recent memory.

“I am just really over the moon about getting it over the line and it’s been a good few months for myself,” an elated Donawa told The Royal Gazette. “It feels really good to be honest.

“Everybody wants to be part of a team that does well and gets promoted no matter if it’s through the play-offs or winning the league outright. Fortunately we were able to win the league and not worry about the whole play-off business, which can be hit or miss sometimes.”

The Saints have often fallen just short in play-off games, including back-to-back losses to Kidderminster and Boston United in the previous two promotion play-off finals.

“Brackley lost the last two play-off finals, so the play-offs is a bit of a touchy subject for the club,” Donawa said.

“But this year we were able to do it outright and win the league. The clubs deserves it and will do well next year in the National League. It will definitely be fun.”

Brackley’s success has capped a remarkable comeback for the Bermuda winger, whose career stood at a crossroads after he broke his leg for the second time in what proved to be his final appearance with former club Altrincham in their penultimate game of the 2023-24 season.

“It’s been a bit tough to be honest,” Donawa said. “Just over a year ago I broke my leg again and dislocated my ankle, literally the exact injury I did at Solihull Moors a few years ago.”

“It was a freak thing and the odds of it happening are so low. I fell and landed awkwardly on my ankle and knew right away that something was wrong. I ended up having surgery and was out for about six and a half months until I returned to full training last October.

“At that time I wasn’t contracted to Altrincham obviously due to my injury but luckily they were able to take care of me with my surgery and rehab and I got back fit.

“I wish I could’ve stayed but luckily I had an opportunity at Brackley pop up and I just jumped at it because I knew that I wanted get back playing and they were willing to let me come in and get games right away, which is best-case scenario.

“You’re hitting the ground running and the gaffer seemed very confident in me coming in and making an impact and helping the team and it paid off in the end. I am glad I was able to take leap of faith, go with it and we were able to do what we did.

“Now I am here, over the injury, hoping to have a good off season and get a nice full season in next year injury free, God willing.”

The 28-year-old is enjoying a new lease on his career and has been grateful to contribute to a successful season.

“It was a blessing just to get back on the field let alone be able to come into a side that ended up doing very well and play 21 games, score a goal and get a few assists,” Donawa said.

“It just feels great to get back out there, make an impact and help out. It’s been really tough and I cannot hide from that. It’s been very physically demanding but I would say mentally is probably where it’s been the toughest, going through the same injury twice.

“I didn’t even know what to think of it and was just telling myself ‘it is what it is’, attack the rehab situation and see what comes out of it because you start to think long term about what is coming down the line and contracts.

“It’s a lot that goes through your mind but I just tried to take it one day at a time and my family, my partner, my daughter and obviously Altrincham and Brackley specifically have been very helpful getting me through it.”

Donawa, whose only goal arrived against former club Darlington, has made tweaks to his game since returning to action, being used primarily as a fullback or wing back this season.

“Obviously I defend a lot more now playing a little bit more in the back line, but it’s been really good and I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “It’s been a position that I’ve grown to love and gotten better in.”