by Peter Scherer
Mickleover first year Academy suffered a 2-0 defeat on their visit to Rushall Olympic.
The Black group had won their opening game at home over Belper Town, before losing to Stafford Rangers at home before the Lockdown.
Rushall had also had one win against Carlton, having succumbed to Stafford too in their first game.
But Mickleover failed to penetrate the home defence on this occasion and will be hoping for better fortunes when they are way again next Thursday at Carlton Town.
by Peter Scherer
It’s been a few weeks since the Mickleover FC Academy Reds had their one and only match this season, a 9-0 win at Belper Town.
But with the home pitch unavailable, they were forced to switch this weeks game against Carlton Town to the Derby racecourse.
Carlton had suffered defeat against Rushall Olympic in their only game so far, and were soon on the receiving end of the Mickleover fire power.
Josh Satchwell opened the scoring from a set piece,” that was particularly pleasing as we had worked on it in training,” said coach Pablo Mills.
Jacob Edge-Lucas and Brodie Carter added to the tally, to make it 3-0 at half-time, but there was soon more of the same in the second half.
Carter and Edge-Lucas each netted for a second time before Fin Barker concluded the 6-0 victory.
“All the goals were good team goals, we played some good football particularly with Bobby Battisson, Louis Pennington and Jacob Edge-Lucas,” Mills added.
It was a fairly lonely game for keeper Tom Smith, “I think he had two saves, but was the vocal point for many of our attacks, as they originated from him,”said Mills.
So the record now reads played two, won two, goals for 15 and against NIL. “They must have a good coach,” Mills concluded.
Their next game is due to be at home next Thursday with a return game against Belper Town, before they face Carlton away on December 17th.
by Peter Scherer
Mickleover FC are proud to announce a new partnership with local Bakery company Birds.
Formed in 1919 by three brothers Frank, Thomas and Reginald Bird, the company has been well established on the Derbyshire High Streets over the last 100 years for their Bread, cakes and savouries.
Birds and Mickleover will be working in partnership to help the local community, in a deal agreed after an initial approach from the football club.
It was Birds that came up with idea of Belgian chocolate lollies in a Mickleover FC presentation box that will be on sale from this Saturday at Birds in Mickleover Village. The price will be £1 per lolly with 15p plus any single use plastic levy going to club funds. In addition to this Birds will be providing raffle prizes for our Supporter’s Lottery.
I am thrilled and like to thank everyone at Birds for their help and support, I think we are all trying to bring Mickleover together at these difficult times
said Mickleover chairman Don Amott.
by Peter Scherer
Mickleover FC Reserves resume their Central Midlands League South Division campaign on Thursday evening with a home game against Holbrook Sports.
Mickleover’s last match was on October 17th when they beat Nottingham 3-1 at home.
Thursday’s visitors have played under their current name since 2010, having been formerly Holbrook Miners Welfare.
Holbrook have only played three league game so far this season and currently lie 10th in the table. Their one win came at Teversal 2-1, having suffered home defeats to both Rowsley 86 and Mansfield Hosiery.
Mickleover are currently sixth in the table with three wins and a draw, plus the away defeat at Blidworth. But they have been prolific scorers with both Jude Ayetaine and Surf Tefera netting hattricks.
The game kicks off at 7.45, but unfortunately no spectators are allowed. We will endeavour to bring a half time and full time summary on the Mickleover FC Facebook page, plus a full report with pictures on Friday.
by Peter Scherer
With the Lockdown suspension of Northern Premier League fixtures coming to an end, it’s time to take a look at how Mickleover manager John McGrath and Captain Mason Warren see their current situation.
Everyone else seemed to be surprised by our success so far this season, but we knew we would do well, but maybe not as well as we have though
said Warren.
I always go into early games wanting to win of course, same now as a manager as it was as a player. That’s continuous, but 20 odd other teams want to win too
McGrath added.
“We believed in ourselves from pre-season and have already beaten some of the best team in the league, so now we have to prove it.”
“The games against Alfreton and Guiseley from a higher league in pre-season gave us confidence and in the FA Cup against St Albans we should have won that really,” said Warren.
McGrath tends to echo his skippers thoughts, “I knew we had potential and a good start, but yes maybe what we have done is a bit ahead of expected. But I am delighted with the team and every single player.”
“We had the momentum going into Lockdown, but some teams needed a break as they were down a bit or others, like us, can’t wait to get back up and running.”
So what did going top of the league mean to the players? “We knew were going into Lockdown and that if we won our last match at Nantwich we could go top. We won 4-0 we are top and we gave it absolutely everything and it was such a positive team performance,” Warren.
“The pressure is now on us to win at home, but we treat all our games the same. To stay where we are we need to be winning anyway.”
“There are chances that in the winter some of the games will be called off, but the league and clubs are working together to try and make it all work,” McGrath added.
So with a month out of action how do they stay fit as a team? Warren explains, “Jake Shaw our physio has given us our individual training plans, day by day, week by week to keep fit, but we have sessions on zoom as a team and they really help.”
Keeping in contact is so important, but we have a good feeling within the team this year and we are feeling strong. We haven’t got the biggest of squads and I hope injuries don’t hinder us.
“Our centre back Phil Watt is a fitness trainer and as well as the programme’s from Jake and the zoom sessions, they have been allowed to go out training one on one with a coach,” McGrath added.
So it’s Whitby Town at home for the first match on December 5th, quickly followed by Hitchin Town away in the FA Trophy only three days later.
Whitby always give us a good game, but we have to win and get those three points
Warren concluded.
Mickleover FC reserves team manager Dave Mackenzie has obviously passed on his skills and enthusiasm to his son Scott, now making a name for himself in the US…
Courtesy of Park City Red Wolves
___________
THE SCOTTISH-BORN COACH HOLDS A USSF A LICENSE AND A UEFA B LICENSE
New Park City Red Wolves SC Head Coach Scott Mackenzie will look to lead the team to the League Two playoffs for the first time in 2021 / Photo courtesy Park City Red Wolves SC
The Park City Red Wolves SC are proud to announce Scott Mackenzie as the club’s new head coach ahead of the 2021 USL League Two season.
Mackenzie will take the reins of the Park City Red Wolves U23 team in just their second season of existence. Playing in the USL League Two, the top professional league in the US, the Park City Red Wolves had a strong 2019 season, producing players who signed professionally with their parent USL League One Team in Chattanooga.
Mackenzie will not only look to elevate players from Park City to the higher professional level but also dominate the mountain division of the USL League 2 and receive a place in the US Open Cup.
Born in Dunfermline, Scotland and raised in Derby, England, Mackenzie brings a wealth of coaching experience from multiple countries to Park City. He worked with Chesterfield FC Academy and also possesses specific knowledge of the youth soccer landscape in Utah, from his current role as the Boys Director of Coaching at Utah Avalanche, a trailblazing club in both boys and girls football and only one of two clubs in Utah to gain admission to the Boys ECNL, one of the top national league in the US.
He also has USSF A license and UEFA B qualifications, bringing him into an elite group of coaches.
The Red Wolves organization includes a professional first team (Chattanooga Red Wolves SC of USL League One) and another League Two side (Dalton Red Wolves SC, based in Georgia). Mackenzie’s hiring completes the club’s technical committee, which consists of First Team Head Coach Jimmy Obleda, General Manager and President Sean McDaniel, First Team Assistant Coach Kevin Sawchak and Dalton Red Wolves Head Coach Saif Alsafeer.
“This has been the vision for our organisation since day one. Having a coalition of talented soccer minds helping build and grow our player pool is going to pay dividends. It’s always been important to us to have a true path to pro for young soccer players.
Now that we have our technical committee complete and all searching for the same style of player and same quality of person, the process will be be streamlined even further,” said McDaniel.
Courtesy of ESPFA
Congratulations to Emilio De Abreu of Mickleover who was named as their student of the half-term. His tutor, Ben Cocker said:
Emilio has made an excellent transition into further education. Since the start of this academic year, he has shown excellent understanding of the key topics we have studied. He is a very intuitive individual and has shown excellent capabilities within his written work and assignment submissions so far in Units C1, B and 5. Emilio is a very polite student and has been a role model to others in his approach to both his education and physical development within training sessions. Keep it up Emilio!
Not keen on going to the pub? Need quality beers for a home gathering? Need a Covid safe solution to drinking?
MickAleOver 2U is Mickleover’s collection and home delivery service of fantastic quality real ales and ciders based from Mickleover Sports Club.
We provide your favourite ales and ciders with an ever changing range together with regular favourites, collected or delivered to you in multiples of 4 pints.
We provide the containers at 50p each which can be reused and recycled. The containers are tightly sealed for freshness.
Place your order by 3pm for same day delivery at https://mickaleover2u.co.uk.
You can also call / text your order to 07872 538 603 or email preorder@mickleoversportsfc.com
You can also collect from Mickleover Sports Club:
Mon – Closed
Tues – Fri – 3-7
Sat 12-7
Sun 12-4
The delicious Karma Eats will also be at the club on Fridays and Saturdays. See menu below…
by Peter Scherer
The date for the game may not be known yet, but let’s just take a look at some of Hitchin Town’s history, our next opponents in the FA Trophy.
The Canaries got to this stage after beating Herne Bay at home 3-1 in the last round.
Hitchin Town can trace its roots back to 1865 when Hitchin FC was formed. The club took part in the first FA Cup in 1871-72, and reached the quarter finals of the competition, losing to eventual finalists Royal Engineers. That first Hitchin club folded in 1911, debt-ridden and the victims of a fire at their ground.
It was not until 1928 that Hitchin Town FC was formed, and it was at this point that the nickname, “The Canaries”, was established. The club colours of yellow and at that time, blue, were also agreed upon.
Prior to that, the old club played in white and magenta. Hitchin gained admission to the Spartan League and in the 1928-29 season, enjoyed a hugely successful campaign, winning the Herts Charity Shield and promotion to the Spartan League Division One.
The 1930s were halcyon days for Hitchin Town FC. Promotion to the Spartan Premier Division was won in 1931, but it was the cup successes that captured the imagination of the Hitchin public. Although there is little doubt that Hitchin won more games than at any time in their history, the standard of opposition has to be considered when determining whether the Canaries’ side of the period was the finest in the club’s history.
Nevertheless there is little doubt that this was a golden age for Hitchin Town. The club won the AFA Senior Cup in 1932, beating Derbyshire Amateurs in the final and in 1935, won the Spartan League Premier Division.
The club entered the Athenian League in 1939, but after two league games and a Herts Charity Cup tie, all of which saw Hitchin score seven goals, Adolf Hitler intervened.
At the end of the 1962-63 season, the Canaries moved into the Isthmian League. This move was not an easy one for the club, and the early years were a constant struggle. Money was a problem, and there was a hint of scandal when club President Syd Stapleton revealed to the media that the club was paying its “amateur” players. It took some time before the clouds dispersed and during this period, the club said farewell to Laurie Scott.
It was not until Vince Burgess came on board that the club moved forward again. Burgess, a successful coach before he went to Hitchin, brought experienced players to the club who knew how to win.
In 1968-69, Hitchin finished runners-up in the Isthmian League and a year later, won the London Senior Cup, beating St.Albans 4-2 in the final. Burgess declared that Hitchin had “arrived” by winning what was then a highly prestigious competition. Top Field was shocked a few months later when Burgess left the club.
RELGATIONS, PROMOTIONS, WELCOMES & GIANT-KILLINGS…
The 1970s was a period characterised by some exciting cup-ties. The Canaries reached the FA Cup competition proper four times – in 1973-74, 1974-75, 1976-77 and 1978-79, although a giant-killing eluded them. By the end of the decade however, the club was in decline and the 1980s was a dismal decade in which finances were limited and the emphasis was on youth.
In 1988, Hitchin Town suffered relegation from the Isthmian Premier for the first time. Near misses in the previous three seasons had hinted that a fall was coming, but it was still a major shock to the club. It took five years for them to get back to the Premier Division, but in between, the club had suffered major financial hardship.
It was Andy Melvin, the new owner-manager of Hitchin Town who led the club back to the Premier Division, winning the Isthmian First Division title in 1992-93. Melvin, a good man-manager, was also thrifty and built a team on very limited resources. In the club’s first season back, he took them to eighth place and in 1994-95, fifth position.
Andy Melvin will be remembered for his part in two exciting FA Cup runs, however. In 1994-95, the club became giant-killers for the first time, beating Hereford United 4-2 at Top Field in the FA Cup first round.
The club had started its cup run in the First Qualifying Round and had been close to exiting on more than one occasion. A year later, the Canaries grabbed their biggest scalp, beating Bristol Rovers 2-1 in the first round, thanks to two early goals. It gave them a second round tie at Gillingham, which was lost 3-0.
At this time the club gained more media attention than at any time in its history, but by 1998, relegation had come once more. However the club won promotion back to the Isthmian Premier Division at the first attempt, with a new and younger team.
In an age when clubs seem to lurch from crisis to crisis financially, Hitchin’s recent history has been relatively stable. Andy Melvin stepped down in 2001, handing over to his assistant Robbie O’Keefe. Robbie was the mastermind of the club’s youth academy, and at times, O’Keefe promised to bring success back to Hitchin.
In 2003, however, he left the club, and former Chelsea and England striker Kerry Dixon took over. At the end of the 2003-04 season, Hitchin left the Isthmian League after more than 40 years, and moved to the Southern League. At the halfway stage of the following season, Dixon, who was unable to commit himself fully to the job, was replaced by Darren Salton. He had to rebuild a team that had alarming weaknesses in every department.
The last few months of the season were tough and Hitchin failed to win any of their last 11 games. But the following year was better and at the end of 2005-06, the Canaries won the Southern League Cup, beating Bromsgrove Rovers in the two-legged final.
In 2006-07, the Canaries started well and at the halfway point were among the title challengers. But a spectacular collapse, fuelled by player unrest, saw them fall down the table and into relegation trouble.
Eventually, they finished 11th, perhaps a flattering position, but nevertheless one which secured Premier Division football in 2007-08. After a lack lustre start to 2007-08, Salton was released by the club and former player Darran Hay was appointed as manager. Hay had to rebuild his team and it took time to turn things around, but a revitalised squad, with a strong team spirit, lifted Hitchin out of trouble.
After a poor start to the 2008-09 season, Hay left in January 2009. Colin Payne, the former Chertsey, Northwood and Boreham Wood manager was appointed in February 2009, but despite an improvement, the club was relegated at the end of the campaign. Payne rebuilt the squad in the summer of 2009, with the aim of achieving promotion at the first attempt.
They enjoyed a successful 2009-10, winning 31 of 42 league games. A vibrant young side was moulded by Payne and his assistant Carl Williams and for long periods, the Canaries topped the Zamaretto Midlands Division., losing just four games in the league but Bury Town topped the division by two points – despite Payne’s men amassing 100 points.
As only one team was automatically promoted, Hitchin had to enter the play-offs for the second promotion place. Sadly, the young Canaries ran out of steam and lost the play-off semi-final to Slough, a team that finished 23 points behind Hitchin!
A few days after the end of the season, Payne left the club to join Hemel Hempstead. In his place, Carl Williams was appointed as manager. He had a tremendous first season in charge and for much of the 2010-11 campaign, Hitchin looked certainties for the title. But a mid-season drop in form gave local rivals Arlesey the chance to take top place. On the final day of the season, the two clubs met at Top Field for the title decider. Arlesey won 1-0 in front of over 1,500 people, but the occasion was marred by the ungentlemanly behaviour of Hitchin’s opponents.
Williams and his team cast that disappointment aside to beat Slough and Daventry in the play-offs to claim the second promotion spot. In their first season back in the Premier, Hitchin enjoyed some bright moments, notably beating eventual champions Brackley and promotion chasing AFC Totton and Cambridge City.
Once again, the goals of John Frendo lit up the campaign and attendances at Top Field were among the best in the division. The final placing of 14th was considered satisfactory and the club went into 2012-13 looking to improve on that showing.
Carl Williams’ second season in charge started brightly but despite the massive goals contribution of John Frendo (who won the non-league football “Golden Boot” the previous season with 44 goals), it proved a difficult season overall. However, despite a couple of months where confidence had ebbed away and relegation looked a distinct possibility.
Previous manager Colin Payne returned to assist the Management team, and the Canaries managed to pull through with three or four astute loan signings bolstering both confidence and results. They finished a creditable thirteenth, but despite this Carl decided it was time to take a break from the managerial role and focus on his young family.
Mark Burke was appointed manager in the summer of 2013 and Carl’s side almost entirely moved on. Despite this Burke and his assistant Adam Parker recruited some new young talent and finished in a creditable 13th position, same as the previous season.
Season 2014-15 saw the addition of Jonny McNamara from Arlesey and Charlie Horlock on loan from Wycombe Wanderers, and the experienced Brett Donnelly returning to the club for a second spell from Biggleswade Town.
With a solid backline including Alasan Ann and Dan Webb and the huge promise of youngsters such as Sam Barker, Matt Lench and Lewis Rolfe being realised, the flowing football produced reaped dividends and Hitchin finished in ninth position, their best-ever in the Southern League.
The 2015-16 season proved to be even better. The season started with the prestigious game against a full-strength Premier League Norwich City side, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the formation of the first Hitchin football team.
Despite the ten goal defeat, and defeat on the first day of the season to the newly promoted Stratford Town at home, Mark Burke’s young side (average age 24) picked up, went from strength to strength, defied all expectations and finished in third place in the League, showing a marked improvement on the previous season and qualifying for the Play-Offs. Here they took a 2-0 lead in the semi-final against the eventual winners Hungerford Town, but eventually ran out of steam and succumbed to a 3-2 defeat.
Again despite this tremendous disappointment, this young team showed great strength of character and picked itself up again to beat National League Boreham Wood to win the Hertfordshire Senior Cup for the first time in 19 years.
The 2016-17 season started with great hope, and didn’t disappoint. The now established squad fared even better than the previous season, qualifying for the Play-Offs in fourth place but with more league points than the previous season.
After a fantastic penalty shoot-out victory in the semi-finals at Merthyr Town, the Canaries took on Leamington for a place in the National League South. They came within one minute of promotion in normal time before conceding a 90th minute penalty equaliser, and then succumbing to a winning goal from Leamington six minutes from the end of extra time.
They retained the Hertfordshire Senior Cup by beating Bishops Stortford 2-1 and also reached the Herts Charity Cup Final, where a “bad day at the office” resulted in a 0-1 defeat against lower league opposition in the form of Cheshunt.
The Canaries entered the 2017-18 season knowing that the League competition would be considerably tougher, with a greater number of well-established and hopeful teams. They finished 11th, but have struggled over the last two seasons, finishing 18th in 2018/19 and were in 17th when last season was abandoned.
Mark Burke is still in charge with assistant Adam Parker, in their seventh year!
Currently they lie 10th in the Southern League Premier Division Central, which is on the same level at Mickleover, tier 7 and 8.
IMAGES AND THE MAJORITY OF THE INFORMATION SUPPLEID BY HITCHIN TOWN FC ARCHIVE
by Peter Scherer
Strikers Declan Bacon and Jordan Walshaw have both been recent departures from the Don Amott Arena.
Bacon was on his second spell at Mickleover, joining this time on loan from Gainsborough Trinity, originally until January but with a further option.
Both he and Walshaw debuted in the home friendly against Guiseley, before Bacon became a regular starter, scoring six goals from his 10 League and Cup appearances.
He made his return to the Trinity side in their 4-2 FA Trophy against Peterborough Sports and last weeks league defeat at home to South Shields.
Walshaw made one competitive start for Sports in home match against Witton and was on the bench for the rest of the first six games, but failed to make any real impression or earn a regular place.
He has now moved to Sheffield FC NPL South East Division and played in the 2-1 defeat to Kidsgrove and 2-0 defeat to Carlton.
We wish them well in their future career.
