by Peter Scherer

Andrew Wright came to Mickleover FC in late 2019, a hardworking midfielder, who always has an eye for the goal.

Ever since I remember I was always involved in football. My Dad and Grandad really put it all into perspective for me and became something I always dreamed of doing.

He comes from Mansfield originally but started his junior football at Chesterfield.

I had been released by Chesterfield and joined Lincoln City at the age of 14/15 after being offered a trial, which led to six enjoyable years there.

He is known for his powerful runs from midfield, but has he always played there?

When I started at Chesterfield I was a centre forward. As everyone knows I love scoring goals, but when I signed for Lincoln I wanted to get more involved in football matches, so moved back into centre midfield and centre attacking midfield.

It clear that you are happy taking a shot on goal from most angles and at any distance?

It’s always been part of my game, as there’s no better feeling than scoring. So every chance I get to try and score I do. I work a lot on trying to strike the ball as cleanly as possible, so the chances I get from outside  of the box I enjoy the most.

But away from football what does he like doing? 

I like to go for a walk now and again when the weather is good. Catching up with the lads over a few beers, watching footy and I also like watching Motorcycle racing and F1. I work as a plumber though, so I’m always very busy.

You have been doing zoom sessions with the rest of the players during Lockdown, does that help with team spirit?

It’s been tough but rewarding. Watty has been a class addition to the team this year and for him to get us all on his sessions and motivate us like he is, has been spot on.

I feel it’s definitely kept us close as a team and we have also done an upside down head Gorge Milner quiz on zoom over a few beers, so that was a good relaxing call for us all. Overall the mood is good in the squad and the lads touch base every day.

So what do you normally do before a match?

I’m usually working the day before, but in the evening I like to go have tea with my Grandma and chill out, so I am ready and raring to on Saturday.

We know it’s been a short season again, but are you surprised how well it’s gone?

I am yes, but we knew what talent we had in the dressing room. The Gaffer has always recruited good footballers at the club and so we knew we would be in and around the top. To be at the top of the league though is brilliant for the club and the group of players as a whole, keeping spirits up through Lockdown and a massive statement to where we want to be next season, or of if this one carries on.

So what have you missed most during Lockdowns?

Waking up on a Saturday morning with a game lined up in the afternoon. Also training and a chance to break the week up and catch up with the lads a few times a week,

What are your fondest memories from your career so far?

It was signing my first professional contract at Lincoln City. A very special moment for me and my family.

by Peter Scherer

Alex Morris was another close season signing at Mickleover FC, a solid defending left back, with a flair for the overlap.

As a kid it was always my dream to become a professional footballer. I have no regrets over it not happening, as I love playing non-league football, and really enjoy my job as a PE teacher, so wouldn’t change a thing.

Hailing from the Potteries, Alex’s talents were soon spotted by one of his two main local league clubs, Port Vale.

I was nine when I was scouted in a game with my local club. There is still a group of about eight of us who had been together at the club from nine to 18 years of age. Some of them are still playing there now and we are all close mates and talk everyday still.

Although primarily a left wing back, did he ever have aspirations to play elsewhere?

Yes, I would love to say I played up front, but I can’t score for the life of me. l always liked getting forward and contributing with a few assists, but I take most pride in keeping clean sheets. Defending is the first job, if I can go forward and attack, that’s a bonus.

But away from football what does he like doing? 

Anything that involves sport, meeting up with my mates at the pub and seeing as much of the world as possible. All of which has not been happening recently.

You have been doing zoom sessions with the rest of the players during Lockdown, does that help with team spirit?

Massively yes. We’ve got a great group of lads and that’s reflected with how well we’ve been playing.

So what do you normally do before a match?

I’m working normally, but then usually chill out on the Friday evening. It’s the only time my girlfriend sees me over the weekend, so I tend to stay in.

We know it’s been a short season again, but are you surprised how well it’s gone?

It’s my first season up at this level, so I didn’t really know what to expect.  We did well in pre-season, so knew we wouldn’t be far off. We will give it a good go next season for sure!

So what have you missed most during Lockdown’s?

Normal weekends. I love waking up on a Saturday morning, watching soccer am with a couple of oat cakes, then head off to the football.

What are your fondest memories from your career so far?

I’ve had a few good ones. We went on a good FA Cup run while I was at Kidsgrove, but I love nothing more than winning a Derby game, or beating one of my old clubs.

by Peter Scherer

Phil Watt was one of the summer signings for Mickleover FC and quickly established himself as a solid and reliable defender, goalscorer and proud Yorkshireman.

We got married three years ago in Las Vegas, I absolutely love travelling. We have a six year old daughter and a baby on the way in June.

I’m a self-employed personal trainer, doing online coaching and classes to help people stay motivated, keeping the mind and body healthy.

Had he always hoped to be a footballer?

Yeah, always dreamed of either being a footballer also a cowboy when I was a kid.

Born and bred in Rotherham, Phil joined his local club as a youngster.

I was with them from eight or nine years, they scouted me when we played a five a side tournament at Millmoor (Rotherham Utd’s old ground) with my school, which we went on to win.

Playing centre back now, but as he always played there?

I actually started as a centre forward, then played at the back a few games and ended up staying there.

But as a defender he has also scored some valuable goals this season.

I always like to chip in with a goal or two. My best tally in a season was nine, but with the quality of the lads taking set pieces here, I was hoping I would get to the 10 goal mark this season. Nearly half way there already and just hope we get to carry on.

Away from his football Phil has been a successful fitness trainer for a number of years.

I’ve been doing it over 13 years and I enjoy every moment of it. There’s not a better feeling than to help people achieve what they’ve always wanted and transform their lives.

It helps me with my football too and keeps me on top of my fitness when I am not playing.

So has he helped train anyone famous?

Yes I train Paralympic Table Tennis Gold Medal Olympian Will Bayley who was also on Strictly Come Dancing.

He has also been doing his bit with the rest of the Mickleover squad too during the Lockdown’s.

Yes we have been doing zoom sessions twice a week and the lads and to be fair the gaffer too, are all looking really fit. So I’m always making sure I’m finding ways to push them to their limits and take it to another level.

We want to be ready for when we get out of Lockdown and if we get the season restarted soon, if not we’ll be looking great on the beach.

Does he have a pre-match routine?

I would normally be quite busy working and putting people through fitness sessions before the weekend. Then Friday night disco with my daughter, you want to stay quite chilled, but a six year old won’t allow that.

After such a successful start to the year, as it come as a surprise?

Yes and no. With the quality of the lads and coaches here, I’m not surprised to see us doing so well.

I wouldn’t have thought we would be top with some of the teams and the budgets they’ve got in this league. It just shows though, if you have the quality and the hard work it goes a long way.

All footballers have a fondest memory, so what’s Watty’s?

Probably scoring the winning goal for Belper Town in the play-off final, unfortunately that was against Mickleover.

This is our first memorable match story from Dave Kelsey, and we look forward to hearing from more of you.

The Great Escape
Bamber Bridge v Mickleover Sports – 27^th April 2019

By Dave Kelsey

I am a volunteer at Mickleover FC and have been involved with the Club since 2014.My duties as a volunteer have covered just about everything from helping with hospitality through to assisting in the Car Park, helping with the programme and running the turnstile. I have been a Non-League fan for many years and really enjoy the camaraderie that exists at this level of football. The matchday experience is first class and Mickleover FC is a great place to enjoy your football.

My favourite matchday memory comes from 2019 and was the final game of the season. It had been a tough campaign with Sports battling for most of the season to avoid relegation from the Northern Premier League. With two of the three relegation places already decided (North Ferriby had unfortunately folded and Workington had two few points) it was a straight fight between Mickleover Sports and Marine to avoid the dreaded drop. The situation was pretty stark – Marine had to lose their game at Farsley Celtic and Sports had to win away at Bamber Bridge.

So, onto the day of the match. The Chairman had arranged for the players and management to travel on a luxury coach to help with preparation for the game. A good number of supporters joined them with another minibus (not so luxurious) carrying the rest of the Sports faithful.

It was a bleak rainy day in Lancashire that greeted us when we arrived at the Brigg, home of Bamber Bridge. Whilst the players prepared for the game the travelling support prepared by quaffing ale in various local hostelries – much needed to calm the nerves of course!

Finally, 3.00PM arrived and what happened over the next couple of hours will live in the memory for many years. Bamber Bridge started the brighter of the two teams and Sports were struggling to get a foothold in the game. 

However, as the half went on the game became more even with few chances for either team to make a breakthrough. The game was approaching half time when news came through that Marine had just gone 1-0 down at Farsley which brought a cheer among the Sports supporters. 

The first part of the great escape was happening but the fact of the matter was that Sports still needed to win their own game to survive. In the 42^nd minute disaster struck! Bamber Bridge had a dangerous free kick which was floated into the box. The Sports keeper Lewis King came out to punch the ball clear but Danny Forbes got in just before him to place his header into the bottom corner – 1-0 to Bamber Bridge. The referee blew for half time and the reality was starting to sink in – Sports were on the brink of relegation.

Manager John McGrath must have given some team talk at Half Time as Sports started the second half really positively. In addition, John had made a substitution at the break bringing on forward Shaquille McDonald – what an inspired substitution this would prove to be! The game ebbed and flowed with Sports having slightly the upper hand. We were now nearly half an hour into the second half and the scores remained the same in both games. Then Jake Scott dribbled into the box and was brought down by a defender – penalty to Sports! Up stepped substitute McDonald to take the spot kick and with no fear blasted the ball down the middle of the goal. Joy (and relief) among the travelling supporters was greeted with further good news – Marine were now 2-0 down so one more goal could do the miracle for Sports.

There was now just 5 minutes to go and hope was turning towards despair as the scores remained the same. With just a few minutes of the season left we were going down! But then up stepped that man McDonald again. Sports won a free kick just outside the box. Shaquille whipped in a shot that the keeper could only parry and the ball went straight to Evan Garnett who from a very tight angle stuck the ball in the bottom corner. The Sports supporters went wild celebrating the goal – the great escape was now on!

We reached the 90 minute mark and then played nearly 5 minutes of injury time during which Bamber Bridge went close on a couple of occasions. Finally, after what felt like hours the Referee blew the final whistle! Mickleover Sports had beaten the drop. The scenes were fantastic – players and managers were in a heap on the pitch and the supporters were dancing with joy! I remember texting family members to give them the great news when a Facebook notification came through from Mickleover Sports. It simply said ‘WE’VE DONE IT!’ That’s when it became very emotional!

Having watched football for nearly 50 years I can honestly say that I have never experienced anything like this. It will always be my favourite footballing moment.

by Peter Scherer

Top of the League is what all football managers dream of, but only some experience it.

Mickleover gaffer John McGrath takes a look at the present situation.

When we came back to play the Radcliffe game before Christmas, I was optimistic that the season would be able to carry on and finish. But then we had Christmas, new guidelines and we just have to wait to see if the league have any ideas.

Various suggestions have been made about continuing, but with no imminent review due, the future is far from clear.

Split regions, points per game averages have all been discussed.

Whatever happens the pride of topping the league stands prominent.

We have been shooting way above our level, as one of the bottom six or seven budget wise in the whole league.

I wouldn’t have replaced any of the players this year though, as it’s a good blend of youth and experience with a good work rate.

Everyone’s contracts end in May and I am in talks with them all to confirm they will stay with us.

Whether we play again this season or not, it will hopefully be my easiest pre-season yet and I think as a club we are in the best position now since we came here.