Author: Square Peg

Dolan Signs Up

by Peter Scherer

Rhys Dolan is the latest of last seasons successful Mickleover squad to re-sign for the forthcoming season. The former Barnsley junior is equally at home in midfield or as an attacking full back.

A popular member of the squad since his arrival in October 2021, he scored five goals too last season.

“I’m delighted to be re-signing again for the upcoming 2023/24 season. Having just missed out on a play-off spot last year I wanted to be a part of another successful team. Playing under the gaffer, Rick and Pablo I believe gives me the best opportunity to be at my best,” he said.

“Rhys fits the bill as to what we want in our full-backs. He’s an attacking presence who has often during the season been our outlet for a lot of our attacking play. I am delighted to get him re-signed again for the new season ahead,” added gaffer John McGrath.

Trueman Permanent Move

by Peter Scherer

Having been on loan from Sheffield Wednesday for the last four months of the season, midfielder Will Trueman has now made his stay at Mickleover permanent for 23/24.

A former League Football Apprentice of the Year, he made a couple of appearances for the Owls first team.

“I’m really happy to have signed for such a good club. Really enjoyed my time on loan last season and can’t wait to get the new season started. I’m looking forward to working with the coaching staff and the players again, as we have a great group and great changing room,” he said.

“We are really delighted to get this deal finalised and secured. Will had an excellent loan spell with us last season and I view him as a young player who we can work with over the course of the next season, and get him back to where he should be, playing in the football league. This is a real statement signing and one that should get the whole club excited,” added sports gaffer John McGrath.

Wilson Signs Up For Forthcoming Season

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover manager John McGrath has announced that Ryan Wilson is the latest of last years squad, to re-sign for the 23/24 season.

“I am delighted to get Ryan signed again for the new season. Having had a fantastic 2022-23 campaign, Willo was one of our best and most consistent performers last season and I am looking forward to see the positive impact he has on the squad and on games once again,” he said.

Having signed from Basford in pre-season, Ryan has played both midfield and left back and scored six goals in League and Cup last season, a specialist free kick taker with an eye for goal and a reliable member of the squad.

“It’s great to have signed again – Looking forward to the new season ahead especially with just falling short last season. As long as we have a group of players going into every game wanting to win and playing with the right mindset, I feel like we will have a good chance of pushing for promotion/play-offs. Personally I hope I can have another good season too,” Ryan added.

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