Author: Square Peg

Sanders Signs For Sports

by Peter Scherer

Defender Sam Sanders is coming to the Don Amott Arena from National League South Truro City. A left back or centre back Sam started his career at Nottingham Forest and played for York City and Boston Utd, before joining Truro in July ’24 after an initial loan. He spent the last five months of last season at Worksop Town.

“The fans will love Sam, he’s a competitor and a winner. I worked with him at Forest so it’s great to have him working with me again. In two of the last three seasons he’s been promoted to the National League with York City and Truro respectively. We need to raise the bar and a signing like Sam does this for us,” said Sports manager Gareth Holmes.

“Gareth had rung me before, he was my Academy manager at Forest, but this time he talked about getting back up the league, promotion and etc and new people coming in. It sounded really good to me so I decided I wanted to be part of it and win,” Sam added.

Our New Mickleover FC Structure

Following the retirement of our Club Chairman – Don Amott, after 10 years service at the end of last season, Mickleover FC wishes to announce our new internal structure.

The new structure will ensure a robust and well planned handover to continue the financial and sporting integrity of the football club.

Over the last months – much time and effort has gone into devising a new 3 tier committee structure:

1️⃣ FIRSTLY – A collection of local businesses who will form a group who set the overall aim and strategy for the football club.

2️⃣ SECONDLY – A new Executive Committee who will have the responsibility of running the football club. This committee has been formed with several new people joining the club who are experienced business people and have the time and skills to continue the progression of Mickleover FC.

This new committee is made up of 7 people:

  • Steve Cooper
  • Matt Morgan
  • Steve Streak
  • Martin Shaw
  • David Nelson
  • Roger Lee
  • Darren Kay (Club Secretary)

The key objectives of this committee are:

✅ To achieve promotion to tier 3 as soon as possible

✅ To attract new sponsors and raise funds for the club

✅ Supporter engagement and to attract more supporters to the stadium

There will not be an individual Chairman at this stage.

3️⃣ THIRDLY – We have our hard working and diligent main committee who provide support and guidance across the club and work on the day to day operations of Mickleover FC.

We are pleased to say the new structure is up and running and all groups in the football club will aim to engage with our local community and supporters as soon as possible.

During the next few weeks! Keep an eye out for some exciting developments as we enter a new chapter in our clubs journey.

#MickleoverFC #ComeonYouSports #NewStructure

Our Rivals For 2026/27

by Peter Scherer

The latest FA league allocations have been announced today, with Mickleover remaining in the NPL Midlands Division.

From last season both Anstey Nomads and Racing Club Warwick have been promoted and St.Neots, Coventry Sphinx and Rugby Town relegated. Lichfield City have been moved to the West Division and Bourne Town, have been reprieved.

So six new teams will now be joining us, Barwell, St.Ives, Boston Town, Coventry Utd, Grantham Town and Nuneaton Town.

We will give you more of an insight into the newcomers in the next few weeks.

 

Second Half Fightback Makes The Point

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

Having gone 0-2 down at Bedworth Utd, Mickleover made a determined comeback with goals from Manni Norkett and Andy Dales, to secure a point in our final match of the season.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Jake Bennett 3-Danny Gordon 4-will Atkinson 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-Danny Benson 7-Paddy Webb 8-George Wilkinson 9-Manni Norkett 11-Josh Carter 14-Andy Dales. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Liam Carter, Jayden Samuels, Archie White.

There was an early chance for our hosts when Ben Blakely’s long throw, was headed goalwards by Elliott Parrott, but his effort was safely tipped away by Supporters Play of the Year McDowell.

After the game had settled down a little McDowell was in action again after 25 minutes, when another long throw from Blakely caused problems. Matt Shipman flicked it on and Teddy Rowe’s header was then tipped onto the bar by the Mickleover keeper, before it was cleared.

Sports first real chance soon followed though, when Wilkinson put a header over the bar from a Gordon free kick.

It looked to be heading for 0-0 at half time, with Sports back four of Bennett, Gascoigne, Benson and Gordon holding firm, but little in the way of chances coming our way.

Then with three minutes of the first half left, Shipman beat the defence and found Rowe, who placed it past McDowell from close range to make it 0-1 at the break.

There were no changes for the second half, but only three minutes in Bedworth were awarded a penalty, after Shipman was brought down, chasing a through ball from Rowe. Samson Hewett stepped up to take the kick and it was 0-2.

The response was quick though, with Norkett pulling one back after 50 minutes. Despite being forced out wide by Harry Craven, he still had the pace to outrun his challenger, firing in a shot from an ever tightening angle, to beat keeper William Highland on his far post, 1-2.

Beavon and White replaced Gascoigne and Carter after 56 minutes, but seven minutes later Bedworth could easily have restored their two-goal advantage. Charlie Gordon’s cross was met by Rowe, but his effort missed he target.

Liam Carter the came on for Webb after 76 minutes and two minutes later it was level pegging again, after Dales had successfully shot from the edge of the box through a packed defence to beat Highland 2-2.

Samuels came on for Norkett in the last five minutes, but the game ended at 2-2, securing 15th place for Mickleover in the final table.

 

Sports On The Road for the Last Time this Season

by Peter Scherer

It’s  the last game of a disappointing season, where in the last month or two Mickleover have dropped from the edge of the play-off’s to a focus on survival, with only four wins since Christmas.

Our hosts this weekend have been on the edge of relegation and still lie in 18th place, but a win on Saturday could still take them above Mickleover on goal difference.

Bedworth have only lost twice in their last 10 games and beat Carlton away to in February, after a 1-1 draw on their visit to the Don Amott Arena back in November.

Andy Penny and Jamie Lenton are currently joint managers for our hosts.

Goalkeeper Will Highland was signed from Hinckley LRFC and has also played for Barwell. His deputy Oliver Sayer arrived in pre-season after his release from Birmingham City, who also loaned him to Stafford Rangers last season.

Elliott Parrott is the longest serving player, an ex Coventry City junior who plays defender or midfield. He is now in his 10th year at the club.

Centre back Ben Blakeley arrived pre-season too, following his release from Coventry City.

Defender Oscar Barry is the son of former England international Gareth. He joined our hosts last October from Studley, after starting his career at Walsall. He’s played for Solihull Moors and Darlaston too.

Calum Flanagan is a centre back dual registered with Stratford Town, who he joined in pre-season and is the club captain. An ex Aston Villa junior, he was loaned to Kettering before joining Hinckley Utd on his release. His next stop was Worcester, followed by Redditch, Hednesford, Solihull Moors, Rushall and Halesowen. He spent the second half of last season at Hinckley AFC.

Midfielder Charlie Gordon and defender Joe Anthony both came from Coventry Copsewood in pre-season.

Scotland Under 16 international Mackenzie Lamb is another central midfielder, signed from Evesham in pre-season. A former West Bromwich Albion and Peterborough Utd junior, he was loaned to  Alvechurch and Stratford and has also played from Boldmere St.Michaels.

Max Ngbeken-Itota is a midfielder too and has also played for Alvechurch, while another January signing from Rugby Borough was midfielder Harry Craven

Recently signed from Rugby Town, Teddy Rowe is a central midfielder who started his career at Aston Villa. After a loan at Gloucester City, he joined Leamington following his release. He’s also played for Banbury and Worcester City.

Louis Monaghan is a striker signed from Racing Club Warwick towards the end of last season. He’s also played for Sutton Coldfield, Alvechurch and Redditch.

Jac Redhead came from Coventry Sphinx in January. Another midfielder, he’s also played for Halesowen, Coventry Copeswood, Rugby Borough, Hinckley AFC and Barwell

Connor Mooney can play midfielder or striker. A former Aston Villa junior, he was signed pre-season from Racing Club Warwick. He has also played for Stratford, Worcester City and Highgate Utd.

Striker George Dunkley was signed in October ’24 from Arabian Falcons in the UAE., while Bryan Kohrelon came from Rugby Borough December. He’s also played for Aylestone Park.

Kidderminster Harriers loanee Samson Hewett plays central midfielder striker too. A product of Harriers youth scheme he has also been out on loan at Bromsgrove, Malvern Town, Sporting Khalsa and SC Inkberrow.

Matthew Shipman is a striker and came from Coventry Sphinx in January and finally midfielder Charlie Lenton and striker Terrel Mringi are both products of our hosts own youth scheme.

Kick off at the oval is 3pm.

 

Our Players Of The Year

Supporter’s Player of the Year
Jack McDowell

Player’s Player of the Year
Will Atkinson

Manager’s Player of the Year
Andy Dales

Look out for interviews with our winners during this week.

 

The Farewell

Our official farewell to Chairman Don Amott, co-owner Colin Ford and treasurer Neil Hadfield at last Saturday’s Belper Town game.

The opportunity for all staff, players, volunteers and supporters to give their gratitude to all three for their many years of service to the club, wishing them all well for the future hoping to still see them at the club from the sidelines next season.

 

Second Half Fightback Not Good Enough

by Peter Scherer 

Mickleover’s home season came to an end with a 1-2 defeat against local play-off rivals Belper Town, despite a determined fightback in the second half.

Starting line-up: 1-Jack McDowell 2-Jake Bennett 3-Danny Gordon 4-Will Atkinson 5-Brad Gascoigne 6-Danny Benson 7-Paddy Webb 8-George Wilkinson 9-Stuart Beavon 11-Manni Norkett 14-Andy Dales. Subs: Josh Carter, Liam Carter, Jayden Samuels, Luke McCormick.

It wasn’t the best of starts when the home defence were beaten on the right. The cross then found Kevin Bastos who had a clear shot from just inside the box, giving McDowell no chance at all to make it 0-1 after just five minutes.

A minute later Webb was fouled on the edge of the Belper box, but Dales’ free kick went straight out of play.

Bastos continued to cause trouble for Mickleover, with a cross from the left, but the ball came across the face of the goal, with no one there to collect.

Gascoigne then set up a move with Norkett and Bennett on the right, the cross was precise but the defence had it covered.

As the game started to settle down it became fairly even, with neither really creating many opportunities.

16 minutes in and the ball fell to Beavon, but before he could get his shot way he was blocked and then Webb combined with Atkinson, who layed it off to Beavon again. His attempt was blocked, with a deflection taking the sting out of his shot.

The Mickleover strikers were struggling for service, but when Norkett started a 24th minute run, he was fouled, with Gordon’s following free kick wide of the left-hand post.

Dales shot wide three minutes later after a long build up through the middle and then Belper’s counter attack ended when Jacob Gratton’s cross from the left went well wide of his target.

Luke Shaw had a chance for the visitors after 34 minutes, he got through the defence but then fortunately shot wide.

But two minutes later Gratton took on Benson down the Mickleover left. He didn’t beat his rival, but pulled back to make a cross which was met by Diego De Girolamo, whose first time shot from the edge of the box almost burst the net as it hit the top corner, 0-2.

Mickleover were struggling to respond and with four minutes left of the first half, Jonathan Wafula had a double shot blocked to earn a corner, which was easily cleared and so it remained 0-2 at the break.

There were two changes for Sports and they came out for the second half, with McCormick and Josh Carter on for Beavon and Webb.

After a fairly quiet start to the half, Mickleover started to show more confidence, more determination and kept Belper pegged back, using more width with the changes made.

Benson just missed connecting with a header, after a free kick to the left of the box after 57 minutes. But the momentum continued when McCormick made a telling run before his path was blocked.

But on the hour mark a glancing header by Gordon from a Dales free kick pulled one back, so it was game on for the final 30 minutes. 1-2.

Five minutes later Dales shot from distance but was just off target and then a McCormick free kick was tipped away onto the bar by keeper Kieran Preston at full stretch.

Belper remained dangerous on the break and Bastos had another chance, but wanted too much time and the chance was gone.

Preston then made a poor clearance that fell to Josh Carter, a first time shot may have paid dividends, but the time taken allowed the defence to block.

Belper sub Liam Moran had a chance too, but he also took too long and allowed Bennett to clear for a corner. It was still Mickleover pressing though and an equaliser looked a strong possibility, when McCormick outpaced the defence again after 74 minutes, crossed for a Carter strike, which Preston saved with his feet.

Lewis Austin put another shot for Belper over the bar after a left wing cross, but time was running out for Sports with just two minutes of normal time left. McCormick took another free kick, collected by Gascoigne but his shot was blocked, followed by another shot just over the bar.

There were five minutes of added time during which time Samuels replaced Gascoigne, but the elusive equaliser failed to materialise and all three points headed back to Belper.

Family Matchday: Belper Town (H)

by Peter Scherer

This Saturday not only features our final home match of the season, but it’s a family day and a chance to thank Chairman Don Amott, Treasurer Neil Hadfield and announcer Nick Northover for their services to the to the club as they depart.

For Mickleover it’s been a disappointing year, which has seen us go from a possible play-off position to the lower rungs of the table.

Our visitors started the season as runaway leaders, they too have struggled of late, with five defeats from their last seven games, and just holding on to fourth and still in the play-off positions.

Back in November when we visited the Nailers, we were on the end of a 0-4 defeat, with skipper Jack Broadhead, ex Mickleover, scoring two of the goals.

Lee Attenborough has been in charge of our hosts visitors since January 2023 and lost out on promotion in the play-off’s last year.

Goalkeeper Kieran Preston is a former Scotland Under 19 international, having started his career at Bristol Rovers. He joined Grantham Town following his release and then spent six years at Basford before joining Belper in September last year. He has also played cricket for Mickleover.

Joshua Hassett was signed from Stapleford in February as cover for Preston. He had previously had a short spell at Rotherham Utd.

Ben Rhodes is an attacking right wing back, who came from Worksop in the summer of 2020. He played for Stocksbridge Steels too and was dual registered with Penistone Church.

Left back Louis Keenan came back to Belper in November 2024 from Hanley Town, having spent the previous five years with Leek Town. He started his youth career with our visitors, graduating into the first team and has played for Hednesford and Loughborough Dynamo too.

Skipper Jack Broadhead can play centre back or defensive midfield. His career started at Chesterfield, but after loans at Buxton, Matlock and Frickley he came to Mickleover in July 2015 following his release. After two seasons at the Don Amott Arena he joined Boston Utd and has played for AFC Mansfield, Grantham and Pontefract, before a four year stay at Worksop preceded his arrival at Belper in July 2024.

Fellow centre back Ioan Evans is capped by Wales at Under 17 and 19. He played his early football at Sheffield Utd, who loaned him out to Boston Utd, before joining Gainsborough on his release. He played for Tadcaster and Stalybridge too, before joining Matlock in July 2024, and came to Belper in pre-season.

Former captain Danny South returned to Belper last month from Hallam, after a two-year absence. Among his former clubs are Stocksbridge , Ossett and Frickley and he plays in defence or midfield.

Preferably a right sided midfielder, Matty Bowman is another ex Mickleover player in the Belper squad. A former Repton School pupil he played youth football at Middlesbrough and Hull City, before heading to Scotland with Dunfermline Athletic. He came to the Don Amott Arena from Basford in November 2023, and started last season at Bridlington. He started this season at Coventry Sphinx and joined our visitors in January.

Jonathan Wafula is a midfielder signed from Ilkeston in February 2025. His career started with Chesterfield, before two years each at Worksop and Shaw Lane. Gainsborough, Boston Utd, Guiseley and Matlock followed, before moving to Grantham. Basford was next before a year at Ilkeston.

Sacha Markelic is also a midfielder signed from Kimberley MW in February. He started out at Kimberley too, before a move to Corby Town in July 2022. After a spell at Heanor Town and he then started last season at Ilkeston, before returning to Kimberley.

Midfielder Lewis Austin is a product of the Nailers own youth scheme and made his NPL first team debut in March 2024.

Curtis Burrows is another midfielder and former Burton Albion junior. He then joined Ilkeston and broke through into their first team, before a loan spell at Grantham preceded a permanent move to Coalville. Further spells at Loughborough Dynamo and Corby Town followed, before joining Belper in February 2023.

Midfielder Luke Shaw came to Belper for his second spell in December from Leamington. He was at Ilkeston before his first spell back in 2015. His next stop was Grantham, before moves to Telford and Coalville, he started this season at Leamington.

Jordan Fankwe was a junior at Nottingham Forest. The midfielder came to Mickleover after his release, and then had a short spell at Watford. His next move was Salford, but quickly moved on to Basford, Anstey Nomads, Barwell and Shepshed Dynamo and joined Belper in pre-season.

Right winger Jacob Gratton came from Cleethorpes in August. He started out at Rotherham and was loaned to Guiseley before a permanent move to Farsley. He first came to Belper in October 2022, stayed nine months and then had a year at Worksop before returning. Basford was his next stop where he also started this season.

Kevin Bastos is a left winger and ex Nottingham Forest youngster. He has had a number of clubs in his career, including Grantham, Staveley MW, Ilkeston, Spalding, Loughborough, Tamworth and Basford, before first coming to Belper in July 2023. After a year he went to Kosovo with KF Istogu, before joining Basford on his UK return. He came back to Belper for a second spell in January 2025.

Striker Liam Moran came from Carlton Town last October. He’s played for Gedling MW, Boston Utd, Newark & Sherwood and Southwell City too.

Harry Draper is another striker, signed from Biggleswade in July 2024. He started out at Stevenage and was loaned to Hitchin and Royston, before joining Biggleswade on his release. After starting at Ilkeston he had a three-month loan at Belper back in 2015.

Striker Diego Di Girolamo was signed from Matlock in December. He spent his early career at Sheffield Utd and was loaned to York City and Northampton Town before joining Bristol City on his release. Lans at Cheltenham and Chesterfield followed before he was released again to join Macclesfield. His next stop was a seven year stay at Buxton, which included a loan back to Macclesfield. He then started last season at Matlock, has played in League’s One and Two and was capped by Italy at Under 18,19 and 20 levels.

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 3pm, with food, drinks and entertainment from 1pm.