Author: Square Peg

Ethan’s The Main Mann

by Peter Scherer

A home-grown talent, Ethan came to Mickleover Under 14’s, after spending time seven years at the Derby County Academy.

His graduation from Academy to first team was fairly swift, after some strong performances and mature performances in the Reserve side. He made his first team debut at the end of the 21/22 season and was a regular throughout last season whether it be centre back, right back or midfield.

Really happy to be re-signing again for the 2023-24 season.  Everyone at Mickleover FC, the Supporters, gaffer, Pablo and Rick have made this a really easy decision for me.

Having been given the opportunity by the manager to play for the first team,  I’m looking forward to joining the team again and picking up where we left off last season, with one thought in mind – promotion.

he said.

Ethan has had an exceptional break through year this season having played 35 games. He has been one of most consistent performers and still being under 20 years of age, has a great future ahead of him in football. My staff and I are looking forward to further developing Ethan over the course of the 2023-24 season.

added Manager, John McGrath.

Bateman Puts Pen To Paper

by Peter Scherer

Former Rams centre back and defensive midfielder Joe Bateman is the latest player to re-sign for another season.

Now into his third season at Mickleover, Joe has been unlucky with injuries, but showed his strength and reliability during last seasons campaign and even managed to score two goals too.

“From day one I have loved being a part of this club and I am very pleased to be back for another season. I am looking forward to continuing to develop within the culture and style of play that the club prides itself on and hopefully we can go that one step further this season,” he said.

“In my opinion he is one of the best midfielders playing outside of the football league. A combative player who is also very good footballer. Joe, is the heartbeat of our midfield and I am delighted to have him re-signed for the 2023-24 season,” added Sports manager John McGrath.

Dales Re-signs for Sports

I am delighted to be re-signing again for Mickleover FC. After just falling short last season, I really feel like we can go one better in the upcoming 20023/24 season. It’s not hard to see that I play my best football under the gaffer here and he has always got the best out of me. Can’t wait to get going again.

Andy Dales

In my opinion we have the best player in the division and I am delighted to get Andy to re-sign and commit for the 2023/24 season. An amazing talent and a superb footballer, this signing shows our intent as a club to be once again competitive next season.

John McGrath, Manager

Academy Lads Take National Title… Again

by Peter Scherer

Not for the first time Mickleover Academy have ended the season with both the Regional and National titles under their belt.

Back in 20-21 Mickleover had won the Midlands ESPFA title, before seeing off both the Northern and Southern Champions, and only two years later it’s a repeat in the National Academy.

Having secured the Northern title, the play-off for the National title was on the Oxford City ground at 7pm last Wednesday evening, racing the might of Southern Champions West Ham Utd.

Sports youngsters had dominated the game and only a string of critical saves from the Hammers keeper kept the game goalless.

But the deadlock was finally broken in the 75th minute, when George Atwal fired in a telling cross, for Ethan Mann to send a powerful header into the back of the net.

It sealed a strong and successful season for the whole squad, but even more so for Mann. After earning his place in the first team this year, he not only scored the winning goal in Wednesday’s final, but was also named as Man of the Match.

“The boys have dedicated their victory to the memory of former team mate Finn Bowen, on an amazing night for the club, which cements the hard work I have been able to do with Pablo Mills and Andy Dales,” concluded Sports gaffer John McGrath.

We’re Staying South

by Peter Scherer

There have been various rumours and speculation about the make-up of next seasons league structure, and Mickleover’s part in it.

Some sources suggested that along with Basford and Ilkeston, Mickleover could be heading back to the Northern Premier League, after just the one season in the Southern Premier League Central Division.

That particular rumour was possibly the closest, as Basford are returning to the Northern Premier League after just one season, along with Ilkeston, which loses two of our local Derby games, as Mickleover are remaining in the Southern section.

Mickleover are one of 14 clubs remaining in the Southern Premier Central, along with runner’s up Coalville Town and fellow play off losers Leiston and Nuneaton.

There will still be the trips to Hertfordshire to play Hitchin and Royston, along with St Ives in Cambridgeshire and Needham Market in Suffolk.

We still have the localish trip to Barwell Town too, along long with West Midlanders Alvechurch, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Stourbridge and Stratford.

Seven teams  are new to us though however, including another local Derby, with Long Eaton Utd, who came through the Northern Premier League Division One East play offs.

Halesowen followed a similar route to Long Eaton, but via the NPL Division One Midlands, whereas Berkhamsted means another trip to Hertfordshire, after they took the Southern League Division One title by a massive 19 points.

AFC Sudbury of Suffolk join us after being runners up in the Isthmian Division One North and winning the play-off, and Stamford earned their place after taking the NPL Division One title.

The remaining three teams have all arrived after being relegated from the National League North, with Kettering Town, Leamington and AFC Telford.

There will be more mileage next season though, with only three clubs within a 40 mile radius, compared with seven last season. Leiston is still the furthest at 184 miles, but AFC Sudbury, Berkhamsted, Hitchin, Needham Market, Royston and St Ives are all over 100 miles.

The total mileage to away league games will be approximately 1685 miles, compared to 1499 last season.

The question is can Sports improve on their sixth place?

The Fin Bowen Charity Auction

by Peter Scherer

In cooperation with of the family of Fin Bowen, the club are delighted to be able to provide a link to the charity Auction on behalf of Fin.

Fins family believe that the silent auction is a meaningful way to honour his memory and make a difference to the lives of young footballers.

The hope is that you will be willing to join the family and participate in the auction. Every bid counts and your contribution, no matter how big or small, can help reach the final goal of £20,000.00 raised in Fin’s name.

There are over 70 lots of football memorabilia that have been kindly donated by both individuals and organisations.

Thank you for your kind consideration. Please click the link below to view the auction lots.

https://bidlive.net/?aid=165

R.I.P. Colin Hunt

by Peter Scherer

The Non League footballing world thrives on the dedication and hard work of volunteers and Mickleover FC are no exception. So it is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of Colin Hunt.

Having had a successful career in local football to a fairly high standard, Colin’s interest in the game continued after his playing days were over and was a regular attender at The Don Amott Arena, whether it be the first team, reserves, academy or just training sessions.

Before the days of the 3G pitch he could often be seen sprinting across the cricket outfield to retrieve the ball, as well as helping out on the turnstile and with the general upkeep and maintenance.

Colin was always full of enthusiasm whatever the weather, but was equally keen to point out when the officials got it wrong.

He will be sadly missed at the matches next season, but his legacy and memories will be long remembered.

Mickleover Chairman Don Amott sums up his thoughts, “I had known Colin a long time , I played football against him too. What a lovely Gentleman,  he was Mickleover FC.”

Brown & Atwal Earn Sports A Point

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover Reserves ended their Central Midlands Premier Division South season with a point at Nottingham FC on Tuesday evening in a 2-2 draw.

The hosts had taken the initial lead before Declan netted the equaliser. Harry Atwal then gave Sports the lead, before Nottingham snatched the equaliser late in the game.

Sports have finished eighth in the table.

Reserves Hit Seven In Final Home Game

by Peter Scherer

A Kai Moore hat-trick was the highlight of Mickleover Reserves final home game in this seasons Central Midlands Premier Division South, as Sports gained revenge over February’s 0-2 defeat last Friday.

Pablo Mills, George Atwal, Bobby Battisson and Fin Ryder were also on target as Sports ran out 7-1 winners.

Tomorrow night the reserves end their season with a visit to Nottingham FC.

Reeves Double Brings Season End On A Win

by Peter Scherer

Although Mickleover spent the last day of the season at the already relegated Bedford Town, many eyes were focused on Rushall Olympic’s game at Alvechurch who had edged us out of the final play-off place.

With no goals scored in the last 10 games, Bedford weren’t expected to cause Sports defence a lot of problems and an Elliott Reeves double helped Mickleover finish 3-0 winners.

Starting line-up: 1-Oliver Bosworth 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ryan Wilson 4-Ethan Mann 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Mitch Rose 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Mason Warren 11-Will Trueman. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Rhys Dolan, Marcus Marshall, Oli Greaves, Callum Chettle.

With Mickleover on top from the start, Reeves controlled a long ball over the defence, and fired just over after seven minutes.

But Bedford responded a couple of minutes later, with an effort just wide, from the edge of the box. But Sports had control with Warren, Rose, Mann and Trueman looking strong in the middle and Bennett, Butler, Watt and Wilson soild at the back.

Dales was next to try his luck for Sports, with a shot just wide of the left-hand post, before Trueman twisted to outfox his marker, but his attempt was just over the bar too.

Home keeper Duffy saved another Sports effort after 25 minutes, but the home side managed to respond with Lyon latching onto a break, but again the shot was just over the bar.

Just after the half hour Trueman was down injured and had to be replaced by Greaves. He had only been on the pitch for two minutes, when Reeves jinked past a defender and crossed to find him unmarked in the centre. Greaves responded with an easy tap in and it was 1-0 with 33 minutes gone.

Bedford did get the ball in the net three minutes later, but were ruled offside and then Duffy had to make another diving save from Dales.

But Bedford hadn’t given up and Furlong earned a corner after a good run had ended with save for Bosworth from his final shot.

So it was 1-0 at half time and could have been more, but there was another 45 minutes, which started with Dolan coming on for Rose.

Duffy made another save for our hosts after 51 minutes, when Butler had latched onto a corner at the far post, but a few minutes later there was more success for Sports with another corner.

Butler headed into the centre, where Reeves connected and put cleanly past the beaten keeper, 2-0 and 54 minutes down.

Lyon found Tomlinson for Bedford, but his angled shot was over the bar and then a free kick ended with a weak shot from Butterworth.

With nine minutes left Chettle replaced Greaves, but into injury time Reeves got Mickleover’s third and his second, after a telling run down the left to fire home in the bottom corner, 3-0.

It finished on a high for Mickleover, but with Rushall losing at Alvechurch we had secured sixth in the table, but missed a play-off place by just one point.

We will hopefully see you all in August and start all over again.