First team player manager John McGrath has announced that a deal has been agreed to keep full-back Ben Turner at Mickleover Sports Football Club.

McGrath said:

“I am delighted to keep hold of one of our most consistent performers from last years campaign. Turns had an excellent season and I am looking forward to working closely with him again in 2017/18. He is an attacking full back who offers the team loads of quality down our left side and he plays a vital and essential role with in our changing room.”

Ben Turner had the following to say:

“I’m delighted to re sign for club that is going in the right direction and has great potential with everyone behind it pushing it forward. Looking forward to this year on the field and hopefully surprising a few along the way and playing for a manager I trust and plays the way football should be played in my eyes.”

This is another great piece of business from McGrath who continues to build on last season and seems to be forming a very string team unit in advance of the new season.

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We are pleased to announce the decision that season ticket pricing will remain at the same levels of last season.

Committee member Dave Bird said:

‘The price of our season tickets will remain as they were for the 2016/17 season. We feel like something really special is happening at the football club and we want as many of our supporters to be a part of our journey forward as possible. Freezing season ticket prices makes perfect sense to achieve this’.

The price for adults is once again set at £180.00.

Interested? Great! Simply send an email to tonys@mickleoversportsfc.com and we will arrange for you to collect your ticket(s).

First-team player manager John McGrath has fought off a number of other clubs to keep midfielder Jake Scott at Mickleover Sports Football Club.

Scott was signed by McGrath during the 2016/17 season and made 23 league appearances for the club, mostly in midfield.

McGrath said:

“Really pleased that we managed to keep hold of Jake for the upcoming 2017/18 season. He is a vital part of my team and someone who had a big impact on the squad and how we played when he signed last season. A combative midfielder but very good with the ball at  his feet, Jake adds quality to our ever growing squad. We fought off alot of competition to keep hold of him and i am delighted to be working closely with him again next season.”

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Following the recent spate of new player signings, Sports first-team captain Tom Burgin has re-signed – news that has delighted player-manager John McGrath.

McGrath said:

“I am delighted to announce that our skipper and leader Tom Burgin has re-signed for the 2017/18 season. Burgs had a  tremendous season last year and forged a formidable partnership with fellow centre-back Pablo Mills.

Burgs is not only a leader on the pitch but he also takes his role as skipper off the pitch and is a constant source of advice to myself as manager and all the players in the squad . I believe a manager/captain relationship is vitally important.”

Burgin was always a target for McGrath and his first season at the Don Amott Arena was a successful one, with consistently solid performances in the heart of defence.

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We are delighted to announce that player-manager John McGrath has appointed Sports-legend Liam Walsh as his assistant manager and Clinton Morrison as the first team coach going into the 17/18 season.

These appointments once again underline the ambition of the football club and are seen to be major appointments.

Image: Liam Walshe

On Liam Walsh, John said:

‘I am delighted to announce Liam Walshe as my new assistant manager. He is a face that will be very familiar with everyone involved at Mickleover Sports. Liams philosophy on football and how it should be played mirror my own views and as soon as I sat down and spoke to him I knew he was the correct fit not just for me but for us as a club. He has vast experience playing the game and I am looking forward to working closely with him. He is a born winner and a natural leader and someone I trust 100% which is vitally important in our relationship as manager and assistant manager.’

Liam Walsh said:

‘This is an opportunity I simply couldn’t turn down. Its great to be given a chance to return to a club where I had some of the most enjoyable years of my career. The gaffer and I share the same thoughts on how the game should be played and I am looking forward to helping him move the club forward on the pitch. Im now really looking forward to getting started’

McGrath has also secured the signing of former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison as first team coach (and player) following Morrison joining Sports as a player last season.

McGrath made the following statement regarding Morrison:

‘I am excited to announce Clinton as our new first team coach. Clinton will bring with him a wealth of knowledge in to the role and I know his passion for the game is unrivalled and his enthusiasm is infectious and this is vital as we look to nurture the young players coming through. Clinton will still be available to play so has loads to offer not only as a player but now as my first team coach. I thought long and hard about my back-room staff appointments and my relationship with Clinton has grown over the last 12 months and he is someone I admire greatly in the game and trust 100% and I am glad he accepted my offer to join the back-room staff as first team coach.’

Morrison said:

I am delighted to have been asked to take the responsibility of first team coach and I am looking forward to helping the team and the rest of the management staff to utilise my experience to hopefully guide Mickleover Sports to a successful season. Having spoken to the gaffer at length about my role with him I am going to use my experience and help our strikers first and foremost and pass on some of the knowledge and know-how that helped me so well throughout my career. We have some exceptional talent and attacking options at our disposal and the gaffer has assembled a really good squad not just at the attacking end but throughout the whole side.’

These appointments should serve to excite Sports’ loyal fanbase who already know what both signings will bring to the table. With the recent signings of Bradley Grayson and Evan Garnett, and many more announcements on the way, 2017/18 promises to be an exciting season down at the Don Amott Arena.

Mickleover Sports boss John McGrath has completed the signing of midfielder Danny Gordon from Ilkeston FC.

Danny was Ilkeston captain and has a good level of experience given he is still just 23 years old.

John McGrath said:

“I am delighted to get Danny for the 2017/18 season. He is a player with loads of experience but still only 23 years old. He is someone who I have monitored for some time now and know we beat a host of clubs to get his signature. He captained Ilkeston through a difficult time at their club and that maturity and level of commitment is something I admire greatly in him”

Danny Gordon also commented:

“Delighted to sign for Mickleover. Looking forward to working with the gaffer and pleased to be a part of exciting times for the club. Can’t wait to get started”

This signing further signals the intent of the football club and underlines the desire to contest for promotion in the 2017/18 season.

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