Author: Square Peg

Bencherif Comes To Mickleover

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover have signed former Worksop Town centre back and skipper Hamza Bencherif for the forthcoming season.

A former Nottingham Forest Junior, Hamza has also played to Notts County, Lincoln City, Plymouth Argyle, Macclesfield, Halifax, Wrexham and York City and was at Guiseley for three years, before spending the last four with Worksop.

He was also capped at under 20 level by Algeria and won the FA Trophy in consecutive years with Halifax and York.

I had spoken to the management at the end of last season, and we discussed prospects and ambition and how they hoped the future would go. I have the experience and think we should be a good fit, and my ambition and drive are a key part why I said yes,

he explained.

It was obvious we needed to add physicality and leadership to the group and Hamza brings this in abundance. Having captained Worksop last year and helped them get promoted from step 4 to step 2. He’s another tremendous addition to the club,

added Mickleover manager Gareth Holmes.

Striker Norkett Back For More

by Peter Scherer

After spending the second half of last season at the Don Amott Arena on loan from Boston Utd, Mickleover are delighted to confirm that ex Manchester Utd and Nottingham Forest Academy striker Manni Norkett has made his move permanent for the forthcoming season.

Manni did really well for the club when he came in last season, scoring 13 goals in 15 games. This record attracted a lot of interest, but he wants to improve and wants to score more goals. The club gave him a great opportunity to thrive and he knows what we are looking to achieve next season

said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

It was in terms of my football that drew me back to Mickleover. Last season I was happy with my football, and that’s the most important thing to me and I enjoyed scoring goals again. The club has a lot of good prospects and if everything is done right, we can definitely make the step up. The area, facilities and fan base, I haven’t seen better in non-league,

Manni added.

Skipper’s Back For More

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover skipper Andy Dales has confirmed that he is ready and raring for another campaign in the red and black.

We don’t take Andy signing for granted. He’s an incredible person and as a player provides us with real quality. He leads by example and brings so much t the group through his work rate and drive,

says Sports manager Gareth Holmes.

I’m delighted to find another year, this is my home now after about 10 years, with only a little time away. I’m really looking forward to a real crack for promotion, as last season as we know didn’t go as planned. I enjoyed being captain too, and accept that with other experienced players coming in that may change,

Dales replied.

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.