by Peter Scherer

Despite their success over the years, Nuneaton Town have gone through troubled times, both in the past and more recently.

Founded as Nuneaton St.Nicholas they have been better known as Borough. They were liquidated in 1991 but reformed again as Borough, but in 2008 they were liquidated again and this time reformed as Town.

They even changed their name back to Borough for the 2018/19 season and were in the Southern Premier League Midlands Division with Mickleover in 23/24, when more financial issues forced them to withdraw from the league.

As Nuneaton Town they started 24/25 in the Midlands League Division One, but were homeless and had to ground share with Bedworth Utd.

Last year they were promoted again as United Counties League Premier Division South Champions and now making plans to have their own stadium built in Nuneaton.

Darren Acton and Russell Dodd are the current management team having taken over in 2024. Acton is a former Nuneaton player and has also managed at Solihull Moors, Barnet and Coventry Utd. They were previously joint manager’s at Coventry Utd too.

They reached the FA Cup third round three times, which in 2000 included a win over Stoke City. Three-time FA Trophy quarter finalists too, George Best also played for them once in a friendly against Coventry City.

Former Rams striker Malcolm Christie was signed from Nuneaton too.

• Alliance Premier League
  • Runners-up: 1983–84, 1984–85
• Conference North
  • Runners-up: 2004–05
  • Play-off Winners (Promoted) 2011–12
• Southern League Premier Division
  • Champions: 1998–99
  • Runners-up: 1966–67, 1974–75, 2009–10(Promoted via play-offs)
• Southern League Midland Division
  • Champions: 1981–82, 1992–93, 1995–96
  • Runners-up: 2008–09 (Promoted via play-offs)
• Midland Football League Division One
  • Champions: 2024-25
• United Counties Football League Premier Division South
• Champions: 2025-26
• Birmingham League
  • Champions: 1954–55, 1955–56
• Birmingham Combination
  • Champions: 1914–15, 1928–29, 1930–31
  • Runners-up: 1910–11, 1931–32, 1945–46, 1948–49, 1950–51
• Birmingham Junior League
  • Champions: 1906–07
• Coventry & North Warwickshire League
  • Champions: 1904–05
  • Runners-up: 1897–98
• Nuneaton & District League
  • Champions: 1902–03
  • Runners-up: 1901–02
• Southern League Cup
  • Winners: 1996
  • Finalists: 1963
• Birmingham Senior Cup
  • Winners: 1931, 1949, 1956, 1960, 1978, 1980, 1993, 2002, 2010
  • Finalists: 1935, 1953, 1967, 1991, 2011, 2015, 2019
• Birmingham League (Maserfield Cup)
  • Finalists: 1953, 1955
• Midland Floodlit Cup
  • Winners: 1969, 1974, 1980, 1984 (joint)
  • Finalists: 1983, 1985, 1991, 2025.

We now look forward to welcoming them back to Mickleover in the forthcoming season.

Both Mick Galloway and Paul Groves have left Mickleover. Mick has spent the last two seasons at the Don Amott Arena as manager Gareth Holmes’ assistant, while Paul returned for a third spell with the club mid-season as part of our coaching team.

Thanks for Gallers and Grovesey for their sterling work with me and the team

said manager Gareth Holmes.

Everyone at Mickleover FC thanks Mick and Paul for their hard work and commitment and wish them both well in their future careers.

Further announcements on this seasons management and coaching structure will be made soon.

by Peter Scherer

Centre back Dwayne Wiley is heading back to Mickleover for 26/27, having signed from Matlock Town.

He left Sports back in July 2016 to join Matlock Town and then spent five years at Alfreton Town before returning to the Gladiators at the start of last season. He was part of the Mickleover team that won the 2014/15 NPL Division One South title too, in the same team as Andy Dales and Jake Bennett

“Dwayne needs no introduction to the club have played here before. His game know how, physicality and leadership fits the profile we are looking for this season. It’s important we improve the group and this is another signing that does this,” said Mickleover manager Gareth Holmes.

“I’ve done the full circle, Mickleover with Glenn Kirkwood and Craig Hopkins and then went with them to Matlock, Alfreton with Billy Heath, Matlock and back to Mickleover, so back where I started. But as soon as I spoke to the management I knew it was the right move for me, stable, competitive and challenging and that suits me. It’s a great club and happy to be coming back,” Dwayne replied.

by Peter Scherer

Will Atkinson will be at Mickleover again this year for his fourth season. The former Hull City and Bradford City midfielder has proved his popularity by being voted Players Player of the Year for the last two season and best dressed last year too.

It’s the club as a whole that brings me back, the facilities , management and fans and I have formed a number of friendships too, so it’s a combination really. Last year stood us in good stead for a promotion push this time, as we know what to expect

he explained.

Will has been excellent both on and off the field in his time at the club. His standard sets the tone for others, he leads by example and I thought he was one of our strongest performers at the end of last season. It’s great to have him back with us again

added sports gaffer Gareth Holmes.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover’s latest signing is striker Harvey Smith from Lichfield City. Smith had been at Studley until Coventry Sphinx signed him in November 2020. He spent over five years at Sphinx, but had a four-year lay-off, before his prolific goalscoring came to Lichfield’s attention and they signed him last January.

I got on well with the gaffer when we met at the last game I played against you. He had seen me in other games and called me a few times, then invite me down. It’s a really nice set up and I was impressed enough to make the move, so I am now hoping to share in the success

said Harvey.

Harvey has a real edge to his game and caused us problems last year with directness, physicality and tireless work rate. It’s great they he will causing our opponents the same problems next season

replied Mickleover boss Gareth Holmes.

by Peter Scherer

After seeing out the season at Mickleover in his second loan spell from Bradford Park Avenue, former Sheffield Wednesday defender and youth team captain Josh Ashman is returning for the new term.

I was really pleased with Josh during his loan spells last year and it was difficult when he was recalled. He provides us with lots of different option, he’s mobile, aggressive and can use the ball well

said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

I really enjoyed my loan spells with the club last year and I know Gareth wanted me to come back. The plans and ambitions were explained to me, so I confirmed I wanted to be part of it and now aim for promotion back to the Northern Premier League

Josh replied.

by Peter Scherer

Centre back George Wilkinson has confirmed he is staying on at Mickleover FC for another season. Having signed from Ilkeston in February 2024, George has been a pivotal part of the Sports defence.

“It’s good to be coming back for another season, and hopefully we will be pushing for promotion unlike last years disappointment. I want to progress to another step in my career, but have enjoyed my time so much at Mickleover, I would like that progress to be with them,” he said.

“I thought George was Mr Consistent last season. He provides us with good athleticism and physicality and wants to improve, showing his hunger to compete,” added Mickleover manager Gareth Holmes.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have added former Ilkeston Town defender or defensive midfielder Callum Minkley to the squad for the new season.

A former Derby County Junior, Callum spent two years at Gainsborough before joining Ilkeston in September 2023 and was promoted from Step 4 to Step 3 with Long Eaton Utd and Ilkeston.

Callum is a player that I’ve known for a long time. He’s won this league before, captained clubs and brings real desire to compete. He’s an excellent character and I’m sure the fans will take to him straightaway,

says Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

Having spoken to the management and hearing the ambition for the club, it was an easy decision for me. I have played with a few of the other players too and knowing Gareth from my Derby days, I think this will help a lot coming to Mickleover,

Callum replied.