by Peter Scherer

There’s a bonus match for Mickleover fans this week, when they face Coventry City in a friendly match at the Don Amott Arena on Thursday evening September 2^nd.

There has always been a link between Sports and the Sky Blues, which became enhanced when gaffer John McGrath’s son Jay joined Mark Robins squad.

Coventy currently lie seventh in the EFL Championship, but went down to QPR away last weekend. There could well be some Coventy first teamers having run out too, as they don’t have a league match this weekend, there next game due at home to Middlesbrough on the 11^th.

by Peter Scherer

Mickleover returned to winning ways at the Don Amott Arena with a 3-2 over Hyde United.

Starting line-up 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Alex Morris 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 15-Kemy Agustien 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Dempsey Arlott-John. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Roger Lee, Ben Gowing, Bobby Battisson, Ben Lewin.

Mickleover were first on the attack with a Dales and Beavon build up and a final shot from Bacon just past the post.

Five minutes later Bateman supplied a nice long through ball,  just too long, before Dales had the first of many runs to find Arlott-John, with Beavon shooting just over from long range.

Hyde were pushing forward too and James Kingsley had a shot comfortably taken by Hawkins after 15 minutes.

But two minutes later Hyde burst down their right wing,  with both Morris and Agustien failing to stop Harry Benns. Liam Hardy was clear and he fired the visitors in a 0-1 lead.

Mickleover came straight back and Arlott-John crossed from the right, leaving Bacon with almost half a chance, as his 20^th minute effort was blocked.

Another Arlott-John run earned a free-kick three minutes later, but after an initial goal mouth scramble from Agustien’s kick, Beavon’s attack was foiled by Tongue and the ball was cleared.

Dales had a shot blocked from just outside the box after 27 minutes, before a break from Hyde forced Hawkins into another save.

It was almost 0-2 after 31 minutes when Butler cleared off the line with Hawkins under pressure, but Arlott-John was again causing problems for the Hyde defence.

After 34 minutes he got the ball into the box but no one collected and only a minute later he found Bennett in the box, just wide to the right for shooting, but his effort was blocked by Hyde skipper Tom Pratt and out for a corner.

As in previous games Bateman was looking strong both in and running out of defensive midfield. His piercing 37^th minute through ball split the Hyde defence wide open. With Bacon on the receiving end it was 1-1, despite Hyde keeper Joe Green getting one hand to it.

Only two minutes later it was 2-1, after another Bateman, Arlott-John and Dales build up, finding Bennett clear in front of goal, placing his shot nicely wide of Green.

Pratt then saw an opening for Hyde and fired his effort high and wide, before a Bateman block handed Hyde a corner, which was easily cleared by Agustien.

Hawkins had another save to make before the half time whistle, before Arlott-John had his effort at the other end blocked.

So into half time with a 2-1 lead, and having taken charge after that early goal for the visitors.

Within the first minute of the second half Agustien let loose with a pile driver from just outside the area. It was wide, but very powerful.

Hyde were straight to the other end with a shot wide from Tongue too, as they continued to push forward again.

A  token effort from the visitors, was followed by a weak header, straight into Hawkins’ hands.

54 minutes gone and a lovely weighted cross from the left found Dales right in front of goal and he comfortably made it 3-1!

Dales came off straight after scoring, having taken a knock on his left ankle, with Bobby Battisson replacing.

The continuing push from Mickleover made the Hyde defence look rather fragile at times. Bennett found Battisson whose shot was just wide.

Just after Battisson had another try on goal, Hyde were awarded a penalty when Butler pushed Hardy in the back on the hour. 

Hardy stepped up to take the kick and it was 3-2 with Hawkins guessing the wrong way.

The lead was almost restored within a couple of minutes but defender Roscoe came to the rescue, with a last ditch tackle on the pacey Arlott-John, earning another corner.

The Mickleover attacks continued to flow with Battisson finding Arlott-John, whose centred for Bacon, but the striker hadn’t got room to turn.

Beavon then ran through the middle and fired his shot just wide of the left hand post after 65 minutes. A minute later he collected a long ball and attempted to find Bacon, but the initial pass was just too long, but Bacon still collected, though his shot suffered as a consequence.

Watt and Butler had been their usual solid looking duo at the back for Mickleover, but after Watt took a knock, Lee came on and Bateman dropped into the back line.

There were still more attacks to come from Mickleover, despite Hyde looking for an equaliser.

74 minutes and Arlott-John battled his way through again despite having been on the ground in mid run, but Beavon’s run was intercepted by keeper Green.

It was end to end and Bacon tried his luck from outside the box, with an effort high over the bar, while two minutes later Pratt’s attempt for Hyde was safely collected by Hawkins.

Satchwell came on for the last few minutes replacing Arlott-John and was almost through on goal after a timely interception from Agustien sent him on a long run. 

In almost the final kick of the game there was one final chance for Mickleover, when Battisson was barely inches away from intercepting a back pass from keeper Green.

So it was three points and a 100 per cent home record, as we look forward to two more games on the road. On Saturday it’s the FA Cup at Leek Town and next Tuesday Grantham Town in the NPL.

by Peter Scherer

It was disappointing trip to Lancaster City for the Mickleover boys, as they returned home still seeking their first away points of the season, after a devastating three goal surge in the first half from the hosts.

Mickleover made one change from the starting line-up at Buxton last Tuesday, with Kemy Agustien coming in for Ben Gowing, who moved to the bench.

Lancaster went close with a couple of early headers and it was only nine minutes in when Rhys Turner gave the hosts the lead. 

Sports then kept the strike force at bay until the first half hour was completed. Liam Brockbank made it 2-0, before Paul Dawson scored from a free kick to make it 3-0 to the hosts at half time.

In the second half Mickleover managed to subdue Lancaster’s further forays, but had few opportunities of their own. Four second half subs were used, with Bacon, Lee and Gowing on for Beavon, Edge-Lucas and Dales, but the score remained the same.

by Peter Scherer

With Lancaster City away and Hyde Utd at home, Mickleover have a busy Bank Holiday weekend ahead.

Lancaster started the season with a defeat at Whitby, but since then have had wins away at Witton and Grantham and home win against Stalybridge.

Striker Sam Fishburn and midfielder Paul Dawson both hit hattricks in the 7-2 win at Grantham, Fishburn’s tally now having reached six. Teenager Fishburn is currently on loan from Carlisle Utd

Dawson started at Morecambe Academy and came to Lancaster in January from Bamber Bridge.

Keeper Matthew Alexander played League One football at Bolton, having started out at the Newcastle Academy. He is currently on loan from Bolton.

Midfielder Charlie Bailey was signed from Kendal Town after starting at Morecambe, while Bailey No2 Sam, was a product of Bolton Academy. A central midfielder or wing back, he came from Kendal too.

Christian Sloan is one of Lancaster’s new signings. A midfielder who has played at Barrow and Kendal. Similarly Ed Elewa-Ikpakwu is a new singing too, the midfielder having come from Leicester City.

Defender Liam Brockbank is a new signing too. He has come from Workington, having previously been at Carlisle for nine years.

Centre back Glenn Steel  is one of the longer serving players, he came from Bamber Bridge in 2017, having moved there for his second spell from Lancaster in 2014.he has also played for Fylde.

Lewis Fensome is a wing back who originally came to Lancaster on loan in 2018, before his move from Preston became permanent.

Also in central defence is Andrew Teague, a former Macclesfield junior in his second spell at Lancaster. He had loans at Tamworth and Hyde, joining Lancaster from Leigh Genesis in 2009. He moved on to Chorley before returning to Lancaster in January last year.

Striker Rhys Turner was a Preston junior, but played league football at Stockport, Oldham, York, Macclesfield and Morecambe and has come to Lancaster from Barrow.

Midfielder Simon Wills is probably the longest serving player, having signed from Kendal Town in 2012.

On Monday it’s the turn of the currently managerless Hyde Utd to visit the Don Amott Arena for our third home game of the season. 

They have had a tough start to the season, having taking their first points last Tuesday with a win against Grantham, after three straight defeats. They are due to play FC United before coming to Mickleover.

Goalkeeper Joe Green started out at Sheffield United, but then he had the opportunity to play for a college in New York for Monroe Mustangs.  On his return to the UK he had trials at Barnsley and Chesterfield and eventually signed for Newport County as cover for first choice Goalkeeper Joe Day, before finally moving to Guiseley, where he spent a couple of seasons playing in the Conference. He also had a loan spell at Gainsborough Trinity. Better known to the Mickleover fans as “shiny boots.”

Defender Bradley Roscoe started his youth career at Preston North End before moving to Fleetwood Town in 2015. He went on loan to AFC Fylde too, and had spells at Ramsbottom United and Glossop North End before joining Buxton, from where he came to Hyde in November 2019.

Kyle Brownhill has travelled in his football career but keeps coming back to Hyde. The defender started at Stockport, before Burnley spotted him. After a loan at Workington he first came to Hyde in 2014, then had various loans, which included returns to Hyde. He came back permanently in December 2017 from Ramsbottom.

Jordan Fagbole came from FC United for the 2018/19 season, having started out as a Rochdale Academy player. He’s played for Stockport, Colwyn Bay and Solihull Moors, but the tough defender missed last season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

A former Port Vale youth player, defender Tom Morris spent most of his career around the Potteries, with Stafford Rangers and Kidsgrove, but isn’t a regular starter at present.

Cameron Fogarty is the latest of Hyde’s home grown talents. The midfielder has now become a first choice player for the starting 11.

Midfielder Liam Tongue is in his third season at Hyde. He came from Stockport Georgians, arriving via Cheadle, Marine and Stalybridge. He is a regular goal scorer too.

Kingsley James is another midfielder and a Sheffield Utd graduate. He made one first team appearance before playing in League Two with Port Vale. Further moves took him to Chasetown, Chester, Herford, Halifax, Macclesfield, Guiseley and Gainsborough, joining Hyde in June 2020 and was capped by England C.

Central midfielder Chinedu Uche was an Oldham Junior until October 2019 when he joined Glossop NE.  He arrived at Hyde for the start of last season.

Irish winger Jonan Mitchell played for Ards and the Annagh and Queens Universities before coming to England and is new to Hyde this season.

Leading the strike force is Liam Hardy, who came from Grantham last December. He started at Armthorpe before moving to Harrogate. He’s also played for Darlington and Buxton.

Captain Tom Pratt is another striker, originally a pro at Bury. He played at Mossley, Ashton and Trafford before joining Hyde in 2017/18. Now starting his fifth season at the club.

Theo Bailey-Jones is getting back into football after an ACL injury. He started out at Wrexham, moving to Colwyn, Macclesfield, Stalybridge, Altrincham and Stafford. He came to Hyde last summer.

Jack Sherratt was another summer 2020 signing. The midfielder was at Kidsgrove before joining Leyton Orient, then played at KW Utd in Canada, before joining Northwich and back to Kidsgrove. He came to Hyde from Stafford Rangers.

Midfielder Harry Benns early youth career was at Manchester City. He then moved to Port Vale and had loans at Kidsgrove and Stafford before joining Hyde in 2019.

Finally Nyle Blake, a striker came in from Frickley Athletic. He started out at Mansfield as a youth, and also played for Alfreton. 

by Peter Scherer

It all started so well at Silverlands, a goal up against second placed Buxton in the opening minutes, but it just wasn’t to be.

Starting line-up: 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Edge-Lucas 3-Ben Lewin 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Gowing 9-Dempsey Arlott-John 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Bobby Battisson. Subs: Dec Bacon, Josh Satchwell. Kemy Agustien, Roger Lee, Alex Morris.

The game was barely underway when Arlott-John fed the ball back to Dales on the left, he cut inside and fired in the opening goal after only three minutes, 1-0!!

Diego Di Girolamo then burst through the Mickleover defence a minute later, but his effort found the side netting.

Buxton wing back Curley put a good ball into the box, but it was headed away by Edge-Lucas as Buxton started to push forward.

But Mickleover were quick on the break and Arlott-John managed a run to the edge of the hosts box until he was intercepted.

Buxton had another chance after Watt had fouled Di Girolamo, the free kick eventually earning a corner.

Butler and Watt were comfortably soaking up the pressure from the Buxton attack, ably supported by Edge-Lucas and Lewin, but 15 minutes in and Hawkins was challenged by a De Girolamo shot, after a long run from wing back Curley.

Buxton’s Clarke was very late in the tackle as he felled Watt after 16 mins, but it was the hosts continuing to set the pace.

Jamie Ward shot wide on the left for Buxton after 20 minutes, before Beavon collected a long ball for Mickleover and worked well with Dales before a goal kick.

Five minutes later there was a half chance when Arlott-John was one on one in the air with Keeper Richardson, before a Beavon attempt was foiled and Gowing had a shot blocked.

Bateman was able to link defence with the Mickleover midfield and was finding the pacey Battisson, but it was Buxton’s persistence to the fore, just lacking that final ball still.

There was a scramble on the edge of the Sports box after 39 mins, which was cleared, but with five mins to go in the first half, Buxton fired a shot just over the bar, followed by an almost repeat move two mins later.

Ward then had a shot blocked by Edge-Lucas and Hawkins had to punch clear from a corner.

With the whistle poised Buxton were on the attack again, but unable to find the space for a shot.

So it remained 1-0 at half time but the pressure had been mostly from the hosts, as a tough second half lay ahead.

For the second half Morris, back from injury, was on for Lewin, but Sports started brightly, when Battisson intercepted from a Buxton attack, only for Beavon to be pushed down for a free kick.

Dales kick found Butler’s head, but it came to nought. But Sports went close again after 48 mins, when a loose ball was collected and the following shot was just wide of the advancing keeper.

Arlott-John had a couple of good runs, before another attempt left the ball on the top of the Buxton net after a mix up.

Dales and Arlott-John worked well together with fast and positive attacks, but their attempts were blocked.

But just before the hour was up, Edge-Lucas had blocked Ward again, but the ball was still on the edge of the box leaving Tom Elliott to make it 1-1.

Buxton’s pace suddenly picked up and only six minutes later it was 1-2 after a cross from the right found Chris Dawson with the Mickleover defence split wide open.

Lee then came on for Edge-Lucas, moving Bateman to right back, as Sports looked to push forward again. But four minutes later a cross from the left found Ward, who took his time to fire in number three, with Hawkins isolated and rooted to the spot. 1-3.

Bacon came on for Dales as Mickleover still tried to push forward. Beavon had a good shot after a Battisson pass and a nice ball from Arlott-John on the right found Beavon and earned a corner.

78 mins and Arlott-John was still running, but tripped on the half way line. 

Bacon shot over following a free kick after 85 mins and finally Watt had a header blocked from a Beavon free kick.

by Peter Scherer

Our second NPL away match of the season sees us making a trip to second in the table Buxton tomorrow night, for a 7.45pm kick off.

Buxton have started the season with wins at home to Bamber Bridge and away to Grantham both 3-0, before visiting FC United last Saturday for a 1-1 draw.

Manager Gary Hayward and assistant Mark Ward have assembled a fairly strong squad, with goalkeeper Theo Richardson one of a number of new signings. 

Richardson was part of Manchester United’s under 18 and 23’s set up until his release in 2018, moving onto Grantham, Cleethorpes and Kings Lynn before arriving at Buxton.

Defender Josh Granite is in his second season with the Bucks, after moving from Barrow, where he captained the side prior to them regaining league status. He started out at Stockport and played at Trafford and Ashton Utd too.

Ben Turner played Premiership football during his time at Cardiff City. The experienced centre back came out of Coventry’s Academy and made 84 first appearances for the Sky Blues, with loans at Peterborough and Oldham too, before his move to Cardiff.

After 121 games at Cardiff he moved on to Notts County, Mansfield and Burton Albion, arriving in Buxton this summer. He was also capped by England at under 19 level.

Defender Nathan Fox has played for number of clubs since starting out at Notts County. He made one first team appearance for the Magpies, before joining Corby Town, who also loaned him out to Kettering and Rugby, before the latter loan became permanent. 

Spells at Stamford and Slough preceded a short spell at Mickleover, quickly moving on to Rushall, Rugby, Coalville, Sutton Coldfield, Redditch, Hednesford and Kings Lynn, before joining Alfreton last season, then coming to Buxton this summer.

Matt Curley signed for the Bucks in February 2020 in a ‘swap’ deal with Hednesford Town and made an immediate impact with a goal on debut against Gainsborough Trinity.

 Primarily as a right-back, he is a versatile player. He’s played for Romulus and Sutton Coldfield before joining Tamworth in 2017 and then Hednesford Town, linking up with current Buxton boss Gary Hayward.

Chris Dawson is a former Wales Under 21 international who graduated from the Leeds United Academy

He appeared for the Leeds first team four times, before joining Rotherham, where ne never played a game, but was loaned to Viking FK in Norway. 

After ACL injury he signed for Scarborough, helping them win promotion to the Northern Premier League before spending the 2018/19 season at Bradford Park Avenue. He was loaned to Grantham Town, but returned to Scarborough, before making the move to Buxton in July 2020.

A central midfielder Ben Milnes was a Leicester City Junior, before spells with Boston and Corby led him to Kettering in 2017. He came to Buxton during the summer and scored on his NPL debut against Bamber Bridge.

Warren Clarke has been at Buxton for almost two years, but the midfielder spent much of the time out injured. He joined them from Sheffield Wednesday, where he was a pro for two seasons.

Tom Elliott was Gary Hayward’s first signing as Buxton manager, after signing from Hednesford.

He started out at Worksop Town before signing for Nuneaton Town in 2016. Then he moved with his then-manager Tommy Wright to Darlington, making over 40 appearances for ‘The Quakers’ before signing for Hednesford in the summer of 2019. 

Starting his second season at Buxton, Linden Miekle is an England C International with lots of experience. He began at Eastwood Town, before moving to Mansfield and York City, where he gained league two experience.

In recent years the midfielder or striker has played for Macclesfield, Alfreton, Barrow (on loan), and Southport, before spending three years at Kettering. He was briefly at Tamworth too last year before coming to Buxton.

Defender James Hurst has been a Buxton player for two years, a former West Bromwich Albion junior who had travelled far and wide. After a move to Portsmouth he went on loan to IBV in Iceland. Then he rejoined West Brom who loaned him out to Blackpool, Shrewsbury, Chesterfield and Birmingham, before he returned to Iceland with Valur.

Crawley, Hednesford, Torquay, Guiseley, Telford, Dover, Wrexham, Nuneaton, Welling and Sutton Coldfield are listed as his former teams, before joining Buxton after another spell at Hednesford. He was also capped for England at under 16, 17, 19 and 20 levels.

Midfielder or striker Jack Dillingham has come from Sheffield Utd’s Academy having been spotted at Chesterfield Town, he also had a brief spell at the Derby County Academy.

Diego Di Girolamo was a junior at Sheffield Utd and made 10 first team appearances for the Blades, and had loan spells at York City and Northampton. 

Having moved onto Bristol City, he had a further loan at Cheltenham, before moving to Macclesfield. The popular striker came to Buxton in 2018 and has already scored against Bamber Bridge, Grantham and FC United in the opening games of the season. He is capped at under 18, 19 and 20 too for Italy.

Ex Leicester City Academy striker Ash Chambers has only recently joined Buxton’s line-up, after joining them from Brackley.

He had nine first team games at Leicester and was loaned to Wycombe, Grimsby and York, before joining York permanently. After three years he moved to Cambridge Utd, the Dagenham & Redbridge, Grimsby, Nuneaton and Kidderminster, before going to Brackley in 2020.

He has represented England at five different levels, Under 16, 17, 18, 19 & C.

Ewan Catt is a young striker from the Buxton Academy, who has recently been on trial at Stoke City, whereas Jamie Ward needs no introduction.

The former Northern Irish International striker joined Buxton this summer. He started at Aston Villa, moving onto Torquay, Chesterfield and Sheffield Utd, before joining Derby County after a loan spell.

Four years at Derby preceded his moved to Nottingham Forest, then loans at Burton, Cardiff and Charlton, before joining Scunthorpe and finally Solihull Moors last season.

During his time without a club, Ward also trained with the Mickleover squad.

Defender Akeem Hinds has just joined the Buxton squad too. The former Rotherham junior had four first team games, plus loans at Frickley, Hyde and Bradford PA and was briefly at Lincoln City before joining Brackley.

Reserve keeper is Argentinian Rodrigo Accinelli another summer signing from Sam Marco in Italy.  He hasn’t played in the UK but has experience with Tortoli, Orrolese and Muravera in Italy, plus CA Temperley in Argentina.

by Peter Scherer (Photos: Sarah Middleton)

Two goals from Dec Bacon made sure Mickleover FC kept their 100% home winning record intact, with 2-1 victory over Ashton Utd.

Starting line-up: 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ben Lewin 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Phil Watt 7-Andy Dales 8-Ben Gowing 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Bobby Battisson.

The opening five minutes were fairly even, but only three minutes later a back header from Michael Raynes was collected by Bacon, who buried it in keeper Greg Hartley’s bottom right hand corner, 1-0.

The visitors continued to be on the back foot as Bennett began to push on the overlap, feeding the threatening Bacon and Beavon.

Dales also combined with Bennett for another attack down the right, before similar moves progressed on the left as Lewin’s growing confidence became evident.

21 mins in and Dales piled in a shot just wide, but the Sports attacking pressure continued to grow with Bateman, Gowing and Battisson feeding well from  midfield.

Only a minute later Dales tried a chip forward which went out for a goal kick, before Ashton’s Harry Spratt went in the book for a foul on Bennett.

The pressure on the visitors defence showed no sign of relenting, with Battisson finding Lewin on the left, but the ball was a fraction too long.

Bateman and Gowing were both making progress out of defence, but Gowing was then yellow carded after a foul on Liam Tomsett. 

Jack Redshaw’s resulting free kick was floated into the area, before Bateman took it off Harry Coates head for the first corner of the match after 26 mins.

A heavy shower followed but it did nothing to dampen the Mickleover spirits, as Bateman once again picked out the overlapping Bennett, but the final ball was too far for Beavon.

Into the final 15 mins of the first half Ashton started to try and push forward, with Hawkins having been relatively redundant so far.

Watt intercepted a brief threat from Ben Hardcastle, before a nice build up from Gowing found Bennett. Then Battisson, back to Bennett, via Bateman and Lewin, before Bacon earned a throw.

35 mins gone and Beavon was pushed to the ground by Coates. Dales took the free kick just outside the area, looking for Butler’s head, but it resulted in free kick to the visitors.

Another casual build up from Butler and Watt at the back found Dales after 42 mins. He pushed forward into the box, before Beavon’s shot was saved by Hartley, low to his left.

Mickleover finished the first half strongly though, after a good ball from Bateman earned a corner. An accurate ball in from Dales saw Beavon’s first attempt headed clear by Raynes, before Hartley saved the second attempt as it remained 1-0.

Paddy Webb came on for Beavon as they started the second half and a few minutes in Hardcastle tried his luck from well out, but was well off target.

Mickleover responded in the best possible way when a Dales cross from the byline found Bacon in the middle, whose effort was planted in the bottom corner 2-0 on the 30 minute mark.

Hudson then had a shot blocked for Ashton, before his second run was intercepted. 

Just after the hour Kemy Agustien came on for Gowing, but Hartley was busy again in the Ashton goal, with a diving save to keep Sports out.

New signing Dempsey Arlott-John was then brought into the action for the first time, subbing for Dales after 76 mins.

But Ashton began to push forward again, with Hardcastle putting a low drive into the side netting.

After 82 mins Redshaw had a shot deflected for a corner, but then a couple of minutes later Bacon got a break, with a good final effort just over the visitors bar.

With four mins of normal time left Ashton had a corner, Redshaw took it and Tomsett managed a volley, which was deflected past Hawkins by Tom Bentham, 2-1.

It was all or nothing for Ashton in the final minutes, pushing everything forward. Another Redshaw effort was deflected off the bar and bounced clear off the line, but the whistle went and it was three more points in the bag for Mickleover.

by Peter Scherer

The next visitors to the Don Amott Arena are Ashton Utd, who currently lie fifth in the NPL, after following up their 2-0 win against Matlock, with a 1-1 at Scarborough last Tuesday.

Let’s take a look at their squad, which is headed by first choice keeper, the vastly experienced Greg Hartley. 

Hartley progressed through the Manchester City Academy, winning the FA Youth Cup, while playing alongside Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart during his time at City. 

He spent ten years at City before moving to the US where he plied his trade at Georgia Gwinnett and Chattanooga. Following a seven-year stint in the US, he moved back to England, joining Oldham Athletic in 2017 where he worked with the academy and as a goalkeeping coach. 

During his coaching Hartley also played for Tadcaster Albion and Atherton where he worked under Ashton United manager, Michael Clegg for the first time.

Australian born defender Stavros Tserpes joined Ashton during the 2019/20 season from Droylsden, but has also spent time at Altrincham, Newcastle Town, Radcliffe Borough and Clitheroe.

Harry Spratt is one of the new signings, having joined pre-season from York City. He was a Manchester Utd junior and then moved onto Huddersfield, before joining York and was also on loan at Scarborough last season.

Also in defence is player coach Michael Raynes. He joined Ashton United in July 2020 after a two-season spell with National League side Hartlepool United. As a d journeyman of professional football Michael came to Ashton with a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as talent.  He played almost 500 league matches at Stockport, Scunthorpe, Rotherham, Oxford, Carlisle and Crewe before joining Hartlepool. Standing at 6”4 Michael is the monster amongst the Robin’s back line.

Centre back Harry Coates is another new signing, having arrived from Scarborough last month. He started his career at York City, before moving on to Harrogate, Tadcaster, and Bradford PA.

Midfielder Chris Rowney was an Oldham Junior, before joining Mossley following his release in 2010. After one season he joined Woodley Sports, before returning to Mossley in 2012. Prior to joining Ashton, he had six seasons at Curzon Ashton and this is his third season with Ashton.

Michael Brewster is another midfielder in his third season at the club. After leaving Oldham as a junior, he moved on via FC United, St Mirren, Colwyn, Skelmersdale, Southport, Shaw Lane, Marine and Droylsden, before coming to Ashton from Atherton Collieries. 

Ben Hardcastle scored the equalising goal at Scarborough last Tuesday. He made his way through Morecambe’s youth ranks before signing for Ashton manager Michael Clegg at Pennington, then following him to Atherton LR before signing for Atherton Collieries

He played over 250 games for Atherton and was an essential player for the Colliers, especially in their promotion winning season from Division One West. He was the first player manager Clegg, signed after taking over at Ashton.

Striker Tom Bentham was one of the scorers in their win over Matlock on the opening day of the season. He was a summer 2020 signing, rejoining manager Clegg having tasted success with him at Atherton Collieries. He’s a strong centre forward, having also played at Hyde and Stalybridge.

Centre forward Jack Redshaw was the other scorer against Matlock. Another ex Manchester City junior, he played league football at Rochdale, Morecambe and Blackpool. He also had spells at Altrincham, Salford City, Halifax and York, joining Ashton this summer.

Liam Thomsett is one of the longest serving players, having signed for Ashton in 2017. An ex Blackpool youth player, he made one first team start in the FA Cup, before moving on to Altrincham, Ayr Utd and Hyde on loan.  After a year at Fylde, he was at Curzon Ashton for another two, before his current spell at Ashton.

Harvey McAdam was a former Burnley junior, who joined the Ashton in February 2019 from Nelson FC. After his release from Burnley the young midfielder joined AFC Fylde’s under 18s before moving again to Northwich Victoria. 

Another new signing is midfielder Tom Warren. He was an Everton junior until September 2019, from when he joined Warrington, prior to his move to Ashton a few weeks ago.

Theo Hudson is another young midfielder recently signed. He was a junior at Leeds and spent last season at Darlington, before his summer signing for Ashton.

The second choice keeper is Josh Ollerenshaw, formerly at Oldham, Colwyn Bay, Stalybridge, Curzon Ashton, Fleetwood, Mossley, Altrincham and FC United, he’s been at Ashton for four years.

Finally Panos Katsmagkas is another midfielder he came from Osset Utd.