by Peter Scherer
It’s back on home turf this Bank Holiday for league action, when we host Loughborough Students at the Vibrant Doors Arena on Monday.
It’s been a great start in both league and cup so far, with some strong performances both home and way. It’s also been a test of the new squad assembled by Gareth and Billy, as a few knocks and injuries have already seen most players play their part.
Striker Harvey Smith should be making his home debut, along with Brad Lathall, both debuting at Coventry last Tuesday. Hopefully some of our casualties will be on the road to recovery too.
Our visitors haven’t got into their stride yet, still seeking their first win after three defeats and one draw, going down 2-4 at home to Grantham Town last Tuesday.
Manager Jamie Clapham has been in charge since May 2021, following coaching roles at Middlesbrough, Coventry City, Barnsley and Leeds Utd, after making over 500 appearances in his playing career. He played in the Premiership for Tottenham Hotspur, Ipswich Town, Birmingham City, Wolves, Leicester City, Leeds Utd and Notts County, before retiring in 2011.
Henry Upsell is currently the first- choice goalkeeper. He started out at Fulham and Southampton’s Academy, before moving to Slough Town. He’s had loan spells at Langley FC, Risborough, Hayes & Yeading and Flackwell Heath, before arriving at Loughborough in pre-season.
Second choice keeper Dan James is a former Crystal Palace junior and an England Futsal international.
Rob March is a defender who’s returned to Loughborough in pre-season, after two years with Al Jazira.
Right back Joe Akinsanmi arrived in pre-season, He has also played for Concorder Rangers and Frenford among other teams.
A former Woking defender, Stanley Kyle had loan spells at Sandhurst Town and Camberley before joining our visitors.
Matty Bowman needs no introduction to Mickleover fans, after joining us from Basford in 23/24. A former Repton School pupil, he was junior at Middlesborough and Hull City, before joining Scarborough following his release. He’s played for Dunfermline Athletic too and since leaving Sports, he’s been at Bridlington, Pickering and Coventry Sphinx. He came to our visitors in pre-season from Belper Town as player coach.
Nat Salsby is another ex Repton School pupil. He’s centre back and has also captained the side.
Jozef Baxter was signed in pre-season. He’s a defender and was previously at Northampton Town.
Midfielder Josh Roddy started out at Reading and Bristol Rovers, before joining Bradford Town on his release. He’s also played for Corsham Town and Hartpury and is in his second season at Loughborough.
Defensive midfielder Alfie Lee started out at Harrogate, before moving to the US for a couple of years with LSU Alexandria Generals. He’s another pre-season arrival for our visitors.
Fellow midfielder Alfie Lee was at Coventry Utd before spending five years in the US. After playing for Indiana Tech Warriors and Lubbock Matadors, he joined AFC Hinckley on his UK return, where he spent two years before joining Loughborough.
Marcus Gilpin is a midfielder that started his journey in his native Zambia. He also spent time at the Barcelona Academy and played for Bradfield College before coming to Loughborough three years ago.
Striker Sonny Albert was at Florida Southern College and Alabama Huntsville in the US before coming to our visitors on his UK return. He has has also played for Dorking Town.
Matt Rennie is a striker signed last season. He’s an England IFSA Under 18 international and was a versatile sportsman at Repton School.
Winger, wing back or striker Alexandre Bertholen started his footballing journey in Singapore. He played for Balastier Khalsa and Tampines Rovers under 21’s before coming to the UK.
Kash Kasukumya was a junior at Bournemouth. He joined Bognor Regis following his release and ended last season at Littlehampton. Tobenna Ikegwuono is another striker, in his second year at Loughborough.
Archie Underwood is striker too, who came through Stowmarket Town’s junior sides, before making his first team debut.
Defender Munya Myogo and Brian McGovern have also been part of the squad this season.
Kick off is 3pm, but it’s also our Family Fun Day, it starts at 1pm and parking is free before 1pm.