The club are providing coach travel to any supporters that would like to travel to Saturday’s FA Trophy tie with Hednesford Town (3.00pm kick off).
The coach will leave the ground at 12.15pm with tickets priced at £10.00 (return).
Please contact Tony Shaw at tonys@mickleoversportsfc.com to book your place.
Come on Sports!
Saturday 7th October is Non-League Day where Sports will take on Ashton United on Saturday (3pm) at the Don Amott Arena.
In support of Non League Day for Prostate Cancer UK, Sports chairman Don Amott has kindly offered to provide free match programmes to all supporters (although a donation to Prostate Cancer would be more than welcome!).
In addition, season ticket holders from any league club can enter the ground for half the normal price upon showing a valid season ticket.
More about Prostate Cancer UK from Phill Coates…
“I wear my Prostate Cancer UK pin badge because of the great support and advice I received”
Once known by the St Albans City faithful as club mascot Sammy the Saint, Phill Coates tells us why Non-League Day’s partnership with Prostate Cancer UK means so much to him and why he wears his ‘Man of Men’ pin-badge with pride.
“I wear Prostate Cancer UK’s badge because of the great support and advice I received from the charity when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2014.
“It was lucky that I visited the doctor when I did. If I’d gone earlier, I may have avoided invasive surgery; but if I’d gone later, the cancer may well have spread.
“After my diagnosis I found the service I received from Prostate Cancer UK invaluable, particularly from the Specialist Nurses and a member of the fundraising team, Sam, who would speak to me every couple of weeks.
“Sam was great and it felt like I had a friend at the end of the line. Whilst chatting he mentioned the Football to Amsterdam bike ride to me which felt like the incentive and challenge I needed after having surgery just two weeks earlier.
“I’ve come a long way since then. I’ve walked ten marathons with Jeff Stelling, cycled three Football to Amsterdam bike rides and have worn my badge to raise awareness just like Jeff and the guys on Soccer Saturday.
“As well as support from Prostate Cancer UK, I’ve also felt supported by my club, St Albans City FC, and I’m so pleased that they’re backing Prostate Cancer UK and Non-League Day’s partnership once again, so that we can get the message out to even more men and their families.”
Join Phill in the fight against prostate cancer. Text BADGE to 70004 to donate £5* and get a badge to wear with pride.
* Text costs £5 plus network charge. Prostate Cancer UK receives 100% of your donation. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 0800 082 1616. Charity No 1005541.
John McGrath has dipped into the transfer market to secure the signing of Alex Morris, a player that became a target for the club following his impressive performance against Sports in this seasons FA Cup tie.
Morris is a strong defender who will add to the defensive options available to McGrath who had the following to say:
“I am delighted to sign Alex and look forward to working closely with him. A towering centre half but with great ability on the ball he will add great quality to an already excellent back line. He is exactly the character I want to add to the squad. He’s a natural born leader and winner. Welcome to sports Alex”.
Morris added:
“Mickleover are a great club and I am really happy to have signed for them. It is a great opportunity to prove myself after being in and out of football for the past 3 years due to university commitments. I am looking forward to the challenge and cannot wait to get started”.
#SportsRising
By Phil Matthews
Mickleover Sports 5 0 Hednesford Town
Sports:- King, Grocott, Turner, McGrath (Scott 56), Mills, Burgin, Dales, Morrison (Thomas 68), Phillips (Horne 74), Garnett, Belgrave.
Subs:- Gordon, Draper.
Hednesford:- Wren, Platt (Oji 46), Weir, Bailey, Mutton, Fitzpatrick, Bullock (Lyttle 68), Thorley, Glover, Lawrie, Davies (Levingston 45).
Subs:- Melbourne, Syteele.
Referee Lee Hible
Attn 200
After a worrying three game run when Sports could not buy a result despite the quality of their football, they returned to winning ways with victory achieved with some style against A Hednesford Town outfit that went into the game above them in the table on points.
If the recent run of results had dented the confidence of the hosts it was impossible to tell as they went after their opponents from the first whistle.
Evan Garnett and Andy Dales combined after 3 minutes to set up an opportunity but Dales shot was blocked, a minute Jimmy Phillips saw his rasping drive go wide.
On 6 minutes left back Ben Turner had a shot from the right turned away for a corner.
Turner did not have to wait long for his reward as he headed home powerfully from a left wing corner to give the home side a 7th minute lead.
The visitors tried to regain parity but found Lewis King on song as his positioning meant that he was able to deal comfortably with everything thrown at him.
The game was effectively over as a contest with a 2 goal burst from Garnett. His first in the 28th minute owed much to the work of Jimmy Phillips in the build up, although it was a fine strike across goal and into the net by Garnett to double the lead.
Ten minutes later he got his second and Sports third with a simple tap in after tremendous approach play by Dales – and he was quick to acknowledge that after scoring.
Hednesford were falling apart and the jeers from some of the large number of visiting fans can have done little to their faltering confidence.
Mickleover started the second period in the same manner they had played the first – on the front foot.
They netted their 4th two minutes after the restart. A free kick on the edge of the visitors box was only partially cleared. The ball fell to the foot of Lewis Belgrave who fired home through a crowded penalty area to make it clear to the opposition that any possibility of a revival was not going to happen.
Dales completed the scoring on 54 minutes after good link up play by Garnett and Clinton Morrison gave the winger the chance to fire home from the edge of the area.
It was no more than the player deserved for his work on the day.
Sports could have made it six 7 minutes from time as Dales was tripped in the box for an obvious penalty.
Garnett placed the ball on the spot but this time fluffed his opportunity of a hat trick firing high over the bar.
It was still a good days work by Sports which left their fans purring at the final whistle.
By Phil Matthews (Image courtesy: Derby Evening Telegraph)
Sports:- King, Grocott, Gordon, McGrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Scott, Garnett, Grayson, Thomas (Phillips 67)
Subs:- Belgrave, Williams, Morris, Draper.
Hinckley:- Whitcombe, J Williams (Rolston 62), Haines (Cooper 67), Smith, Melligan, Morris, Butler, Miveld (Healey 76), Agar, Bowerman, S Williams.
Subs:- Tomlinson, Rad, Minto, Stretton.
Referee Mark Howes
Attn 305
Cliche though it may be the FA Cup at any stage of the competition can be a great leveller as Mickleover nearly discovered to their cost.
Hinckley may ply their trade several levels below their hosts, but gave a decent account of themselves all the same.
Sports took the lead on 24 minutes with a superbly struck free kick from outside the box by Zeph Thomas that would have beaten keepers many levels above the Evo Stik Prem, yet alone one from lower down.
The home team nearly doubled their lead on 37 when player manager John McGrath was played in on goal but was unable to keep his shot down.
Both Bradley Grayson and Andy Dales caused danger when raiding down the flanks but on neither occasion was there anyone lurking in front of goal to complete the good work.
Mickleover’s attacking dominance was all for naught though as George Bowerman converted a far post cross to head the sides level on the stroke of half time.
Grayson continued to create problems along the touchline and was unlucky to see his shot blocked after 51 minutes.
The game looked to be drifting away from the hosts after 52 minutes as Dales was shown a straight red for what the referee saw to be an attempted headbutt by the Mickleover player, although his team mates were still adamant after the game that the match official had misjudged the situation and the incident was only deserving of a caution rather than a dismissal.
With the odds suddenly stacked against them 10 man Mickleover rolled up their collective sleeves and regained the lead in the 71st minute with McGrath once again foraging into enemy territory and finishing off a well worked move with a super strike.
Sports could have made the final minutes more comfortable for themselves if Evan Garnett had not shot wide in the 80th minute, but managed to claim the victory and a place in the hat for the next round with their first victory in four matches and the hope that a corner had been turned.
Following from the recent positive performances against higher league opposition, Sports face Coventry City in what promises to be another entertaining game at the Don Amott Arena.
City, who recently took an army of 41,000 fans to Wembley in the EFL Trophy, their first trophy since 1987’s famous FA Cup victory will prove to be a sterner test for first-team manager John McGrath’s squad. The fixture will be a quick return for ex-Sports assistant manager Steve Taylor and the visitors have indicated they will be bringing a strong team to Station Road.
Sports have already claimed two league scalps following impressive displays against Notts County and Mansfield Town and will be looking to add the Sky Blues to this list come Tuesday evening.
Entry (on the gate) will be £6 adults and £4 for concessions.
#SportsRising
5 DAYS TO GO! MICKLEOVER SPORTS VS BURTON ALBION
Yes – the football season is nearly back (WOOHOO!) and there are a mere 5 days until Mickleover Sports FC start their pre-season campaign against Championship side Burton Albion FC.
It promises to be an amazing evening at the Don Amott Arena with some of the finest ales around and reduced ticket pricing (£6 and £4) to guarantee a great atmosphere.
So, get yourself down to the Don Amott Arena and the friendliest football club around.
Please SHARE and see you there!
The club are delighted to announce that goalkeeper Nick Draper has signed to extend his stay at Mickleover Sports, following an impressive spell with the club, playing 15 league matches during the 2016/17 season.
First team player-manager John McGrath said:
“I am pleased to announce that Nick Draper has agreed terms and resigned for our 2017/18 season. Nick had an excellent time with us having joined just after Christmas from Worcester City.
A very calm and commanding GK he is someone I trust 100% to marshall the boys in front of him. He is still only young and I believe he has a very bright future ahead of him”.
Draper added:
“Really pleased to resign back at Mickleover Sports and to be working again with John McGrath and the lads. Its a good ambitious club, a real family club with a strong sense of community and togetherness and I am looking forward to next season”
Draper will be involved in the first team’s pre-season campaign which starts on the 14th July with a home tie against Burton Albion.
We are extremely pleased to confirm that Andy Dales has signed a new contract at Mickleover Sports Football Club despite heavy competition for his signature from a number of other clubs.
Dales made the following statement:
“I’m delighted to have resign my new contract again with Mickleover Sports. The club is going places and everyone both on and off the pitch is pushing the club in the right direction. I believe this will be a massive season for the club and myself. Cant wait to get started.”
First team player-manager John McGrath added:
“I am delighted to announce that Andy has agreed a new contract to keep him at Mickleover Sports. Here is a player who I genuinely believe will go on to play in the football league. He has all the attributes and at the tender age of 22 and played over 150 senior leagues games he is one with a very bright future. We had a lot of interest from clubs in higher divisions but ‘Dalesy’ believes another season with Mickleover will be of huge benefit to him. Our style of play suits him and he will be a key factor in our progression this season”.
This looks like yet another piece of sound business from McGrath who looks to building an exceptional squad in advance of the new season.
Remember, season tickets are available at the same prices as last season, so please come down to your local club and give us your support!
#ProperFootball #SportsRising
First team player manager John McGrath has announced that a deal has been agreed to keep full-back Ben Turner at Mickleover Sports Football Club.
McGrath said:
“I am delighted to keep hold of one of our most consistent performers from last years campaign. Turns had an excellent season and I am looking forward to working closely with him again in 2017/18. He is an attacking full back who offers the team loads of quality down our left side and he plays a vital and essential role with in our changing room.”
Ben Turner had the following to say:
“I’m delighted to re sign for club that is going in the right direction and has great potential with everyone behind it pushing it forward. Looking forward to this year on the field and hopefully surprising a few along the way and playing for a manager I trust and plays the way football should be played in my eyes.”
This is another great piece of business from McGrath who continues to build on last season and seems to be forming a very string team unit in advance of the new season.
#SportsRising
