by Peter Scherer
Our visitors this Saturday are fifth in the table Stockton Town. Back in October they beat us 0-3 and have continued in similar form from that date.
Their last away defeat was 1-4 at Macclesfield in mid December, but after successive wins, they went down 1-3 at Warrington Rylands last Saturday.
Michael Dunwell’s line-up has been both consistent and successful of late, either of which Sports can only dream off.
First choice goalkeeper Nathan Harker was a junior at Newcastle Utd and was loaned to Blyth Spartans, before joining Scarborough on his release.
He played for Bedlington Terriers and Whickham too, before joining our visitors in January last year, after 10 months with Marske Utd.
His deputy is Elliott Stephenson is a former Sunderland youngster. A pre-season signing he has also played for Hartlepool and South Shields.
Right back Josh Baggs is another former Sunderland junior. He joined Seaham Star following his release and was also loaned out to Consett, before joining our visitors in January 2024.
Centre back Tom Coulthard has been at Stockton for 12 years, having come through their own youth scheme. He made his first team debut at 17 and has a long standing defensive partnership with skipper Adam Nicholson.
6ft 5in Nicholson has been at the club even longer, having started his 15th year. He came from local junior football and made his first team debut at 16.
Lewis King is another defender and former Hartlepool junior, who was then picked up by Burnley. Following his release he moved to Spennymoor and came to Stockton in July 2019.
Midfielder Glen Butterworth was signed from Marske Utd in October 2022, after 10 years service.
Cam Painter is a defensive midfielder, signed from Blyth Spartans in July 2022. He was originally a youngster with Grimsby and went to Blyth on his release. He also had a short loan spell at Billingham Town.
Defender Arjun Purewal was a pre-season signing from Consett, where he had spent the last seven years, six as club captain. He was previously at Jarrow Roofing and has also played for Darlington, Durham City, Blyth Spartans, Whitby Town and Bishop Auckland.
Central midfielder Lewis Leech was another pre-season arrival from Whickham. He started out with Gateshead and was loaned to Benfield, before a permanent move to Marske Utd, where he started last season, before going to Whickham in February.
Owen Gallacher is striker capped by Scotland at Under 19 and 16 levels. He played Junior football with Newcastle City, Swallwell Swifts, Sunderland and Ryton Blacks, before joining Newcastle Utd.
He quickly moved on to Nottingham Forest, who loaned him to Harrogate, before joining Burton Albion on his release.
Crawley Town was his next stop, with a further loan at Gateshead, before moving to Grimsby, Spennymoor and finally Stockton in pre-season and has league one and two experience.
Fellow striker Stephen Thompson started his career at Middlesbrough, before joining Port Vale. After a loan at Telford he joined Durham City, before moving to Spennymoor, who loaned him to Marske, before arriving at Stockton in July 2022.
Michael Fowler is a striker too, having started his career with Sunderland and Burnley. He then moved on to Fleetwood Town, who loaned him to Guiseley, Bamber Bridge and FC Utd. He then crossed the Atlantic with Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, a US college team before returning to the UK six months later with Dunston UTS.
He finally came to Stockton at the beginning of last season.
Striker Mikey Roberts arrived in July 2018 and has been North East based for the whole of his career. He has played for Guisborough Town, Spennymoor, Whitby Town and Marske Utd before joining our hosts.
Josh Scott may be remembered by Mickleover fans, after a short loan spell from Mansfield back in 2021. He started his career at Hartlepool, before moving to Mansfield. As well as Mickleover, he was loaned to Basford and Frickley Athletic, before a permanent move to Morpeth.
He arrived at Stockton in mid October from West Auckland, and has also played for Blyth Spartans and Marske Utd.
Michael Sweet is another striker, who has spent his whole career in the North East. From starting out at Gateshead, he was loaned to Darlington, before joining Billingham Synthonia. He has played for Consett and Blyth too, before a three-year spell at Shildon preceded his Stockton arrival in July 2023.
Striker Kev Hayes first arrived at Stockton in October 2016. He moved to Spennymoor after playing in the 2018 FA Vase. He soon came back to Stockton though and has been their ever since.
Elliott Beddow is another striker, signed from Thornaby in August 2022. He began his career at Billingham Town, but currently back on loan at Thornaby.
Striker Jake Spears came through or hosts own junior set-up and made his first team debut last season.
Thomas Birtles is another home-grown talent. A midfielder, he made his first team debut last season too.
Academy graduate Jacob Johnson signed his first contract during the summer. A midfielder, he is also dual registered with Guisborough Town.
Strikers Joe Kennedy and Sonni Coleman have also graduated via the clubs own youth scheme, Coleman having represented England Schools Under 18’s too.
Kick off as usual is 3pm and it would be nice if we could give Chairman Don Amott something to celebrate, as it’s his birthday the following day!!