by Peter Scherer

Coventry Utd will be playing against us in Step 4 for the first time in their fairly short history.

Founded in 2013, the Nick Newbold Stadium is their home, which they share with Coventry Rugby Club, and has a 4,000 capacity.

They have been in the United Counties Premier Division South for the last few years and gained promotion last season via the play-offs, after finishing second in the league.

Manager Terry Anderson and assistant Luke Morton have already confirmed that they will be staying on for the forthcoming season and they have signed a number of new players to join the retained players from their promotion line-up.

Club honours
• Midland Football League Division One
• Winners: 2015–16
• Midland Football League Division Two
• Winners: 2014–15
• Midland Football League Division Three
• Runners-Up: 2013–14
• Presidents Cup
• Winners: 2014–15
• Birmingham FA Challenge Vase
• Runners-Up: 2013–14
. FA Vase Quarter finalists 2025-16

We looking forward to making you welcome on your first visit to Mickleover.

by Peter Scherer

Former Derby County and Barnsley youngster Charlie Hickingbottom is returning to Mickleover FC after spending last season in the National League North with Peterborough Sports.

Charlie is either central midfield or central defence and was previously at Station Road on loan from Barnsley at the beginning of 24/25, returning to his parent club in January last year.

Chaz did really well for the club during his loan in 2024. He has since played at Gainsborough and Peterborough Sports at Step 2 and captained them on a few occasions. We’ve watched his continuing development and it’s a real statement to get him back at the club. He plays beyond his years and has a real competitive edge to his game

said Mickleover manager Gareth Holmes.

After speaking to the management I am delighted to be back for what should be a successful season. When I first came to Mickleover on loan, it was my first experience of men’s football. Now I have experience of Step 2 and ready to play my part on and off the pitch

Charlie replied.

by Peter Scherer

A product of Mickleover’s own youth scheme, Josh and Liam Carter will both be aiming for match time this season.

Orthodox wingers both have proven pace and spent part of last season out on loan at Belper Utd and Heanor Town, before becoming regular squad members towards the end of our campaign, which included Josh scoring his first senior goal.

“There was no second thoughts about staying at Mickleover after we were brought back into the squad at the end of last season. It’s time to say thanks for the opportunities we’ve been given as it gave us time to get used to the league we are in. It’s time to kick on and proved ourselves,” said Josh.

“Josh is a player with so much potential. He’s exciting and direct and we saw exceptional moments from him towards the end of last season, his goal against Rugby springs to mind. He now needs to believe in his ability and strive for consistency,” said gaffer Gareth Holmes.

“It was an obvious choice for me too, I learned a lot out on loan, started to get assists and score goals and I want to do it more with Mickleover. We know we still have a lot to learn and it’s now time to prove that and learn,” Liam added.

“Liam had a difficult season last year with injuries etc, but these experiences help him grow and be even better moving forward. He’s another player with real pace and ability and it’s gear to have him back with the club,” Gareth replied.

by Peter Scherer

St.Ives Town are well-known to us from our two seasons in the Southern Premier league.

Ricky Marheineke has been manager since 2014 at the Westwood, which holds up to 2,000 fans and has a 3G pitch.

They were relegated last season after finishing19th in the SPL, but apart from being ninth in 23/24, they have tended to be around the bottom half of the table.

In our play-off year of 23/24 we beat them 2-0 away with a Marcus Barnes double but lost 0-5 on the return at Mickleover.

Former Rams, Northern Ireland and now Matlock Town striker Conor Washington started his career at St.Ives too.

In 2027 they celebrate their 140th anniversary too and in 2011/12 reached the quarter finals of the FA Vase, but as yet have no title wins or further cup success under their belts.

We look forward to welcoming then back to Mickleover again this season.

by Peter Scherer

A versatile and experienced midfielder, Cieron first came to Mickleover in September ’24 from Barwell. But having started last season at Quorn, he had a short spell at Long Eaton before making his return last January.

Since I came back last season, I knew I wanted to stay. It’s such an enjoyable set up, great lads, facilities and professional in its total environment, and I want to be part of it.

he explained.

Keano did really well for us at the end of last season. Ne brought energy and quality to the group, he was fit, strong and tenacious. He’s a great lad too and it’s good to have him back at the club.

Sports gaffer Gareth Holmes replied.

by Peter Scherer

Teen midfielder Jude Taylor is the latest signing for Gareth Holmes’ Mickleover FC squad for the forthcoming season.

Taylor worked his way through Lichfield City’s youth scheme to break into the first team and helped them win the 24/25 Midland League Premier Division title with some vital goals.

I am really pleased Jude has joined us. There has been a lot of interest in him from further up the football ladder, as he brings bags of energy to the game. He’s a driving force midfielder, running off the front players and getting behind defences. He’s a great acquisition and can score some goals for us

says Gareth.

It was the standards that have brought me to Mickleover. I knew the coaching was right, the training etc and the quality of the pitch and facilities. I already know some of the team too and set my targets high, then hope to achieve them, which so far I have

said Jude.

Until recently he was at Derby University and is the son of ex Aston Villa Ian Taylor.

by Peter Scherer

Despite their success over the years, Nuneaton Town have gone through troubled times, both in the past and more recently.

Founded as Nuneaton St.Nicholas they have been better known as Borough. They were liquidated in 1991 but reformed again as Borough, but in 2008 they were liquidated again and this time reformed as Town.

They even changed their name back to Borough for the 2018/19 season and were in the Southern Premier League Midlands Division with Mickleover in 23/24, when more financial issues forced them to withdraw from the league.

As Nuneaton Town they started 24/25 in the Midlands League Division One, but were homeless and had to ground share with Bedworth Utd.

Last year they were promoted again as United Counties League Premier Division South Champions and now making plans to have their own stadium built in Nuneaton.

Darren Acton and Russell Dodd are the current management team having taken over in 2024. Acton is a former Nuneaton player and has also managed at Solihull Moors, Barnet and Coventry Utd. They were previously joint manager’s at Coventry Utd too.

They reached the FA Cup third round three times, which in 2000 included a win over Stoke City. Three-time FA Trophy quarter finalists too, George Best also played for them once in a friendly against Coventry City.

Former Rams striker Malcolm Christie was signed from Nuneaton too.

• Alliance Premier League
  • Runners-up: 1983–84, 1984–85
• Conference North
  • Runners-up: 2004–05
  • Play-off Winners (Promoted) 2011–12
• Southern League Premier Division
  • Champions: 1998–99
  • Runners-up: 1966–67, 1974–75, 2009–10(Promoted via play-offs)
• Southern League Midland Division
  • Champions: 1981–82, 1992–93, 1995–96
  • Runners-up: 2008–09 (Promoted via play-offs)
• Midland Football League Division One
  • Champions: 2024-25
• United Counties Football League Premier Division South
• Champions: 2025-26
• Birmingham League
  • Champions: 1954–55, 1955–56
• Birmingham Combination
  • Champions: 1914–15, 1928–29, 1930–31
  • Runners-up: 1910–11, 1931–32, 1945–46, 1948–49, 1950–51
• Birmingham Junior League
  • Champions: 1906–07
• Coventry & North Warwickshire League
  • Champions: 1904–05
  • Runners-up: 1897–98
• Nuneaton & District League
  • Champions: 1902–03
  • Runners-up: 1901–02
• Southern League Cup
  • Winners: 1996
  • Finalists: 1963
• Birmingham Senior Cup
  • Winners: 1931, 1949, 1956, 1960, 1978, 1980, 1993, 2002, 2010
  • Finalists: 1935, 1953, 1967, 1991, 2011, 2015, 2019
• Birmingham League (Maserfield Cup)
  • Finalists: 1953, 1955
• Midland Floodlit Cup
  • Winners: 1969, 1974, 1980, 1984 (joint)
  • Finalists: 1983, 1985, 1991, 2025.

We now look forward to welcoming them back to Mickleover in the forthcoming season.

Both Mick Galloway and Paul Groves have left Mickleover. Mick has spent the last two seasons at the Don Amott Arena as manager Gareth Holmes’ assistant, while Paul returned for a third spell with the club mid-season as part of our coaching team.

Thanks for Gallers and Grovesey for their sterling work with me and the team

said manager Gareth Holmes.

Everyone at Mickleover FC thanks Mick and Paul for their hard work and commitment and wish them both well in their future careers.

Further announcements on this seasons management and coaching structure will be made soon.

by Peter Scherer

Centre back Dwayne Wiley is heading back to Mickleover for 26/27, having signed from Matlock Town.

He left Sports back in July 2016 to join Matlock Town and then spent five years at Alfreton Town before returning to the Gladiators at the start of last season. He was part of the Mickleover team that won the 2014/15 NPL Division One South title too, in the same team as Andy Dales and Jake Bennett

“Dwayne needs no introduction to the club have played here before. His game know how, physicality and leadership fits the profile we are looking for this season. It’s important we improve the group and this is another signing that does this,” said Mickleover manager Gareth Holmes.

“I’ve done the full circle, Mickleover with Glenn Kirkwood and Craig Hopkins and then went with them to Matlock, Alfreton with Billy Heath, Matlock and back to Mickleover, so back where I started. But as soon as I spoke to the management I knew it was the right move for me, stable, competitive and challenging and that suits me. It’s a great club and happy to be coming back,” Dwayne replied.