Mickleover Sports Boss John McGrath has given his reaction to last seasons player of the season Andy Dales scoring on his EFL debut for his new team Scunthorpe United.

Andy Dales scored a fantastic strike for the Irons in the 81st minute to win their opening game of the season 2-1 away at Coventry City at the Ricoh Area in front of just over 700 travelling supporters.

John McGrath was at the Ricoh Arena to watch the game and said the following…

“What a great achievement for Andy to not only be in the starting 11 but to also score the winner in a 2-1 victory over Coventry City.

I am delighted to have played a part in Andy’s journey and I must say how proud I was of him today.

I went to the game and to sit in the stand and watch a former Mickleover Sports player compete and look comfortable in a League One side was great to see.

A terrific advert for Mickleover Sports and I would like to wish Andy all the best from us all at Sports”.

Everyone at Mickleover Sports sends their congratulations to Andy Dales and Scunthorpe United on his goal and their opening day victory and wish him and the club all the best for their season in SkyBet League One.

Lancaster City are the focus of today’s 21 in 21.

When do we play them?

Home: Saturday 13th April
Away: Saturday 12th January

Name: Lancaster City FC
Nickname: The Dolly Blues
Founded: 1911
Ground: Giant Axe – Capacity: 3,500
Manager: Phil Brown
Home Kit: Blue & White
Away Kit: Yellow & Blue
2017-2018 – Northern Premier League – Premier Division – 18th

Club History:

Two Lancaster based teams, Skerton F.C. (1897–1900) and Lancaster Athletic F.C. (1905-11) had competed in the Lancashire Combination but Skerton dropped out of the league without completing their final season (1899-1900) while Lancaster Athletic played their final season (1910–11) in the West Lancashire Football League, again with the club being unable to complete its fixtures. The present club was then founded in the spring of 1911 as Lancaster Town F.C. and were admitted to Division Two of the Lancashire Combination for the start of the 1911–12 season after proving to the league and the Lancashire FA that they had no connection with the previous two clubs.

After World War I the Combination was reduced to a single division. The club finished as runners-up in 1919–20, and the following season the club applied to join the new Third Division North of the Football League, but were unsuccessful. However, they won the Combination for the first time in 1921–22. In 1928–29 the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, but lost 3–1 at home to Lincoln City. The following year they won the Combination for a second time and reached the FA Cup first round again, losing 4–1 at New Brighton. The first round was reached again in 1930–31, 1931–32 and 1933–34, but the club lost on each occasion. Back-to-back league titles were won in 1934–35 and 1935–36,[2] and in 1937 the club adopted its current name, Lancaster City F.C., after the town was given city status as part of King George VI’s coronation celebrations.

The club continued in the Combination until 1970 with varying degrees of success that included an FA Cup second round appearance, losing to Gateshead, in 1947-48 and a Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy final victory in 1951-52, but by the end of the 1960s it was decided that a change was needed so for the 1970–71 season the club left the Combination to join the Northern Premier League, a league that had been established two years earlier.

City reached the second round of the FA Cup in 1972-73, losing 2-1 at Notts County and again won the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy in 1974-75 but after finishing seventeenth in 1981–82 the club resigned from the Northern Premier League and dropped into the North West Counties League when financial difficulties forced them to fold and reform. Three years later they were relegated to the second tier after finishing second from bottom of the league. However, despite only finishing thirteenth in 1986-87, the club were accepted into the newly formed Division
One of the Northern Premier League thanks to in no small part to ground standard and support.

In 1994-95, after several seasons of consolidation and now under the stewardship of former Preston North End and Bury player Alan Tinsley, Lancaster won the Northern Premier League Presidents Cup, their first trophy in twenty years, and the following season, as champions of Division One, were promoted to the Premier Division. After finishing eighth in 2003–04, under Tony Hesketh, the club were placed in the newly established Conference North. This proved to be a hugely successful period for Lancaster with the club enjoying healthy league positions, several cup successes as well as reaching the FA Cup first round proper on four occasions. However, following a club takeover, financial problems led to the club folding at the end of the 2006–07 season, in which they suffered a 10-point deduction for going into administration, and finished bottom of the league with one point. During the summer, the club reformed and were accepted back into Division One of the Northern Premier League.

The 2008–09 season was the last one for ex-player and fans favourite Barrie Stimpson. He was replaced by Tony Hesketh, towards the end of the season, returning for a second spell. Lancaster lost the 2009–10 play-off final 1–0 at home to Colwyn Bay but unfortunately, the pair couldn’t guide the club to a much desired promotion, finishing 7th in 2010–11 and 6th in 2011–12. Hesketh was relieved of his duties early into the 2012–13 season. Former Sunderland, Darlington and Morecambe player Neil Wainwright and former player Michael Stringfellow were eventually appointed as joint managers. Both Wainwright and Stringfellow left in February 2013 due to budget cuts, again leaving the club without a first team manager. On 21 April 2013 Lancaster City finally appointed former Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers defender Darren Peacock as their new manager.

The Dolly Blues then appointed Peacock’s former teammate and ex Blackpool, Queens Park Rangers, West Ham United, Manchester City and England winger Trevor Sinclair as Peacock’s assistant for the start of the 2014–15 season. Both Peacock and Sinclair left the club at the end of September 2015 after a disappointing start to the season being replaced by former player and assistant manager Phil Brown. Brown then led the team to a top six finish and also to the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy final when they lost on penalties to Chorley. In his first full season as manager Brown led the team to the 2016–17 Northern Premier League Division One league title.

Hyde United are the focus of today’s 21 in 21.

When do we play them?

Home: Saturday 16th February
Away: Saturday 29th September

Name: Hyde United FC
Nickname: The Tigers
Founded: 1919
Ground: Ewen Fields – Capacity: 4250
Manager: Darren Kelly
Home Kit: Red & Blue
Away Kit: Blue & White
2017-2018 – Northern Premier League – Division One North – 3rd (Promoted)

Club History:

Hyde F.C. was founded on 27 July 1885 at the White Lion pub in the town centre. They played on a field near the Bankfield Hotel, until 1898 when they moved to Townend Street and set up a club headquarters at the Gardeners Arms pub. They moved to Ewen Fields in 1906 after merging with Hyde St. George’s and taking their place in the Lancashire Combination. In 1917, Hyde FC folded because of what was termed “war reaction”.

Hyde United formed in 1919 after demands for a football club to be re-established. United was added to the name because of a match between two groups which used to meet in the market place: the Forty Gang and the Discharged Soldiers and Sailors, both of which groups were very active in the resurrection of the club. After one season in the Lancashire and Cheshire Federation, Hyde joined the Manchester League and by 1930 had won it five times and won the Gilgryst Cup twice. In the 1920s, players wore black-and-white halved shirts for a spell. The club moved into the Cheshire County League in 1930 and won the League Challenge Cup four years later. The decade after the Second World War proved to be a purple patch for the club. In 1946, they won the Cheshire Senior Cup, the first of many trophies to arrive at Ewen Fields during the next ten years. In 1953, Hyde won the League Cup followed by a league and cup double a season later. The 1955–56 season saw the club retain the championship and finish as runners-up in the following three seasons.

They reached the FA Cup first round in 1954 only to lose 5–1 away to Workington, who were at that time managed by Bill Shankly. Hyde were founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1968 but financial strains took their toll and the club rejoined the Cheshire League in 1970 where they remained for 12 years. They won the League Cup in 1973, and in 1981 finished as runners-up in the league and winners of the Cheshire Senior Cup and The League Challenge Shield.

A year later, with Les Sutton as manager, Hyde swept the Cheshire League board, and with the installation of a number of supporter’s club-financed ground improvements, won election to the Northern Premier League. The first year back saw the club score 91 goals. The following season they reached the first round of the FA Cup where they lost 2–0 at Burnley, with Peter Wragg as manager, also reaching the Northern Premier League Cup final— only to lose on penalties to South Liverpool. However, they were back in the final in 1986 when they beat Marine 1–0. In 1986, as a result of the changes introduced following the Bradford City stadium fire, the club, in conjunction with Tameside MBC, erected a new main stand and laid a baspoturf pitch.

In 1993, Pete O’Brien was appointed manager for a second time, but only remained in charge until the end of the season, when he resigned to take-over at Droylsden. Mike McKenzie took over from O’Brien in June 1994. His first season in charge showed much future promise when Hyde reached the first round of the FA Cup but then lost 3–1 at home to Darlington, to be followed by elimination from the FA Trophy by Kidderminster Harriers in the semi-final. During the 1995–96 season, Ewen Fields’ astroturf pitch was relaid in grass, then played host to another FA Trophy semi-final, this time against Northwich Victoria. After Mike McKenzie left the club in 2001 by mutual consent, former player Dave Nolan took over as manager. After an unsuccessful 2001–02 season, Nolan was sacked. In October 2002 former Manchester United player Gordon Hill was appointed as manager, but remainder at the club for only two months. Following his departure, Hyde gave the job to former Leigh boss Steve Waywell, though he could not prevent the club’s relegation to the Northern Premier League Division One in 2003. Waywell assembled a new team, and they won the Northern Premier League First Division at their first attempt.

Hyde United won the Northern Premier League Premier Division title in 2005 for the first time in their history, a controversial win as Hyde were awarded the title following an appeal to the Football Association. The title was originally awarded to Farsley Celtic after the expunging of Spennymoor United’s results because they were unable to complete their fixtures that season (with a Hyde fixture one of those not played). On appeal, this decision was overturned and Hyde, along with other teams who had not played Spennymoor twice, were awarded three points for a “0–0 win”—sufficient to secure Hyde’s first Northern Premier League title.

During their first season in the Conference North league, the Tigers started slowly, but a run of better results mid-season saw them finishing 11th, with 56 points from 42 games. Further mid-table finishes followed in subsequent seasons, then Waywell left the club by mutual consent in October 2008, after a poor start to the season saw Hyde collect only five points from their first eight games and at the same time exit the Conference League Cup in the first round. He was replaced by Neil Tolson along with Chris Brass, who left the club a few months later. Hyde finished the season in 20th place and faced relegation, only to be spared when King’s Lynn were demoted for failing to ensure that their home ground met Conference North standards.

On 24 September 2009, the club was officially wound up at the High Court in London, with debts of around £122,000 to HM Revenue and Customs. Over the following few days, major efforts by club officials, supporters and players, which included a bucket collection at a Manchester City Premier League match, raised sufficient funds to lodge an appeal against the High Court decision. This was heard on 30 September 2009, and the original winding-up order was rescinded, with Leicestershire businessman John Manship stepping in as owner.

Hyde finished the 2009–10 season in 15th place after a mid and late season fight back during which they lost only one home fixture. Before the start of the 2010–11 season, the club changed its name to Hyde F.C. and Ewen Fields underwent a complete makeover, turning the ground from red to blue and switching to white shirts and blue shorts as part of a sponsorship deal with Manchester City.

In the second half of the season, club chairman Steve Hartley and secretary Tony Beard both resigned from the board, and this was later followed by the sacking of manager Neil Tolson. Tolson was replaced by Scott McNiven and Steve Halford, who acted as joint caretaker player-managers, and Hyde escaped relegation on the last day of the season.

Ahead of the 2011–12 season Hyde appointed Gary Lowe as manager, with Martyn Booty as his assistant. Their first 10 matches of the season saw Hyde win every match, equalling Hyde’s best ever start to a season dating back to the 1925–26 season and also breaking the record for the best ever start to a season in Conference North. On the back of this incredible start, Hyde finished the season as Conference North champions following a 4–1 win over Boston United in their last home match of the season, gaining promotion to the Conference Premier for the first time and breaking the club’s record for the highest points total in their history with 90 points. Following the end of the season manager Gary Lowe and assistant Martyn Booty resigned, to be replaced by Scott McNiven and Gavin McCann, respectively.

The 2013–14 season was a disastrous one for Hyde FC, losing numerous matches including both the Boxing Day and New Years Day fixtures to Macclesfield Town, both 3–0, including a Scott Boden hat-trick at Ewan Fields. After a two-year stay in the Conference Premier, the club was relegated back to the Conference North after a 3–0 defeat to Alfreton Town on 11 March 2014. The club only recorded one win in the whole of the 2013–14 campaign— a 2–0 win away at Welling United. They finished the season in 24th place— bottom of the table, gaining only ten points throughout the whole season— a league record low points. With the club nine points adrift at the bottom of the Conference North in January 2015, the club parted company with manager Scott McNiven. McNiven was replaced by former manager, Gary Lowe.

Lowe was not able to prevent a second successive relegation as Hyde finished bottom of the league, returning to the Northern Premier League after ten years in the Football Conference. At the end of the season Hyde’s deal with Manchester City ended, and the club’s name reverted to Hyde United. On 27 June 2015, the club announced that John Manship had offered to hand over control of the club, it had been successfully taken over by the Hyde United Supporters Club. At the end of March 2016 with Hyde United just 3 points above the drop zone, the decision was taken to part ways with manager Gary Lowe. The appointment of Darren Kelly was made to prevent a third successive relegation in three seasons. Kelly was unable to guide the club to safety and they were relegated to the Northern Premier League Division One after a 4–0 defeat at home to Nantwich Town.

Get Your Tickets Now!

This is a TICKET ONLY EVENT – get yours today for this unforgettable family music festival at the Don Amott Arena.

The event takes place on Sunday 5th August 2018, and starts an hour earlier than last time which means even more great entertainment!

We have some fantastic live tribute acts this year including;

– Bulsara & His Queenies
– Little Mix
– Rod Stewart
– Beyoncé
– Take That
– Blondie

Plus 60’s Rock music from The Moggies!

And Mickleover’s Got Talent Winner: Courtney May Trusswell!

There will be plenty of food and bar outlets, but you are also welcome to bring your own picnic. (Limited alcohol permitted).

We have also improved the sound for this year’s event!

This is a ticket only event so please use the link below or you can buy them from one of our vendors:

– Local Mickleover shops
– Don Amott Leisure, Hilton
– Mackworth News
– Cottage Garden Florist, Willington
– Passion Flowers, Littleover
– Etwall Post Office

 

BUY TICKETS NOW

 

Heanor Town 0-1 Mickleover Sports

Wednesday 1st August 2018

Written by Sam Goldsworthy

Another day and another Pre-Season victory but Sports definitely had to work for this one and John McGrath side had to grind this one out towards for end as Heanor took the game to Mickleover. Oli Roberts’s stunning free kick in the first was all that separated the two sides in what was a very competitive and entertaining friendly match. But another win extends Sports unbeaten Pre Season with Huddersfield coming to the Don Amott Arena in a week’s time.

The squad members who weren’t playing in previous nights RBL fixture were selected this is fixture. Lewis King started in goal after his cameo against RBL. The back four consisted of Harley Kozluk, Pablo Mills, Trialist and Ben Turner. McGrath named himself in midfield alongside Jake Scott with Niall Doran and Oli Roberts occupying the wide areas. Up front was new signing Nathan Jarman alongside the Trialist from The Netherlands. The bench consisted of four academy players Trialist, Smith, Fatubin and Parkin; however none were used in the game.

Sports had the first chance as a great low cross from Curtis Burrows picked out Jake Scott but the former Shaw Lane man couldn’t quite get enough contact on the ball to get a firm touch and his effort went wide of the goal. Heanor then threatened as former Rocester winger Rob Ritchie-Smith delivered a cross for another former Rocester player Sam Griffiths who fired over the bar. Then shortly after another former Romans striker Oli Roome had an effort put behind for a corner by Ben Turner before the resulting corner was headed over the bar.

Trialist produced a great cross in the direction of Nathan Jarman who just missed the ball going over him as he tried to head towards goal. The ball was then played back in to Trialist himself who managed to bring the ball down, turn and fires a strike that went over the bar just before he was brought down from the resulting challenge but no foul was awarded. But it didn’t matter as three minutes later. Sports were awarded a free kick just outside the area which John McGrath and Oli Roberts both stood over. It was the later who stepped up and struck a fantastic hard and low driving effort into the bottom right hand corner past the keeper’s outstretched left hand. There would be only one more clear cut chance between Roberts’s goal and the half time break as Doran got a shot away after good hold up play from Trialist but it was into the keeper’s hands before he caught the ball at the second attempt after spilling the initial effort.

After the break, with an unchanged side, John McGrath produced a half volley straight for a corner kick but the effort was just over the bar. McGrath then won the ball back from a 50/50 challenge and played in Trialist moments later but his effort was straight into the keeper’s gloves. Jake Scott was then slipped through by Oli Roberts but again Sports couldn’t take the chances as the shot was over the bar again. Trialist then sprinted down the right and played the ball back across goal to the edge of the box where Niall Doran was ready to pounce on it but instead the shot was too high and went for a Goal Kick.

Heanor were pressing Sports really hard and had plenty of moments and half chances to grab an equaliser. But to Sports credit they defended impeccably and had one final chance to score from the counter attack as a great cross over from Ben Turner was slightly deflected into the keepers hands but the Heanor stopper let the ball slip out of his hands and managed to allow Jake Scott to challenge for it but the angle was too tight and the shot instead went over the bar.

That was the last of the major action of the night as Sports could put to bed two more successful Pre Season games over two days where they had scored three goals and not conceded any. Much sterner tests lie in wait for McGrath and his players as they welcome Premier League side Huddersfield Town bring a team down to Don Amott Area next up on Wednesday 8th August with a 7:30pm KO.

Hednesford Town are the focus of today’s 21 in 21.

When do we play them?

Home: Tuesday 11th September
Away: Saturday 24th November

Name: Hednesford Town FC
Nickname: The Pitmen
Founded: 1880
Ground: Keys Park – Capacity: 6,039
Manager: Rob Smith
Home Kit: White & Black
Away Kit: Grey & White
2017-2018 – Northern Premier League – Premier Division – 17th

Club History:

The club was established in 1880 as a merger of the Red & Whites and Hill Top. Based at the Anglesey Hotel, they were sometimes known as Hednesford Anglesey. The club were founder members of the Birmingham & District League in 1889 and finished sixth in their first season. Despite finishing third in 1890–91, they left the league at the end of the season, and played only friendly matches before joining the Walsall & District Junior League in 1894. The club were runners-up in the league in their first two seasons, before the league was renamed the Walsall & District League in 1897.

Hednesford were league runners-up again in 1899–1900 and 1901–02. After finishing third in 1907–08, they joined the Birmingham Combination, which they won in 1909–10. After World War II the club rejoined the Birmingham & District League. They reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in 1919–20, losing 2–0 at Castleford Town. The club finished bottom of the league in 1924–25, 1925–26 and 1931–32. They withdrew from the league during the 1937–38 season and folded before reforming as Hednesford. The new club rejoined the Birmingham & District League for the 1937–39 season; however, with the league reduced to 10 clubs, two round robin leagues were played – the King’s Cup, in which the club finished bottom of the table, and the League Cup, in which they finished second-from-bottom.

After World War II Hednesford joined the Birmingham Combination. They won the league in 1950–51 and were runners-up in 1952–53, after which they rejoined the Birmingham & District League. The league was split into two divisions for the 1954–55 season, with Hednesford playing in the Northern Division. A thirteenth-place finish saw them placed in Division Two the following season. They remained in Division Two until the league was reduced to a single division in 1960. In 1962 the league was renamed the West Midlands (Regional) League. Hednesford became members of the Premier Division when the league gained a second division in 1965. The club returned to its original name in 1971, and in 1972 they joined the Midland League. However, after finishing bottom of the table in 1973–77, the club left the league, returning to the Premier Division of the West Midlands (Regional) League. They were league champions in 1977–78, and after finishing as runners-up in 1983–84, the club moved up to the Midland Division of the Southern League.

In 1991–92 Hednesford were Midland Division runners-up, earning promotion to the Premier Division; they also reached the final of the Welsh Cup, losing 1–0 to Cardiff City. They won the Premier Division in 1994–95 and were promoted to the Football Conference. In their first season in the Conference the club finished third. The 1996–97 season saw the club reach the first round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1919–20. After beating Southport 2–1 in the first round, they defeated Second Division clubs Blackpool in the second round and York City in the third round, winning both games 1–0. In the fourth round they were drawn away to Premier LeagueMiddlesbrough, losing 3–2.

The following season saw Hednesford entered directly into the first round of the FA Cup, where they defeated Hull City 2–0, before losing 1–0 to Darlington in the second round. The club reached the second round again in 1998–99, beating Barnet 1–0 in the first round before losing 3–1 at Cardiff City. A gradual decline in league performances saw them finish bottom of the table in 2000–01, resulting in relegation back to the Southern League’s Premier Division. In 2003–04 the club reached the final of the FA Trophy, winning the competition with a 3–2 win over Canvey Island at Villa Park. In 2004–05 they finished fourth in the Premier Division, qualifying for the promotion play-offs; after beating Merthyr Tydfil 5–3 on penalties in the semi-finals after a 1–1 draw, they beat Chippenham Town 1–0 in the final to earn promotion to the Conference North.

Hednesford finished bottom of the Conference North in 2005–06, resulting in an immediate relegation, this time to the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League. In 2009 they were transferred to the Southern League’s Premier Division, and a fourth-place finish in 2009–10 saw them qualify for the play-offs again, this time losing 2–0 to Chippenham in the semi-finals. They were Premier Division runners-up the following season; another play-off campaign saw them beat Leamington 3–1 in the semi-finals before losing 3–2 on penalties to Salisbury City in the final after the game had ended 2–2. The club were transferred back to the Northern Premier League in 2011 and finished fifth in 2011–12 before losing 5–0 to Bradford Park Avenue in the play-off semi-finals.

A fourth successive play-off campaign was secured when Hednesford were Premier Division runners-up in 2012–13. After beating AFC Fylde 3–1 on penalties in the semi-finals following a 3–3 draw, they defeated F.C. United of Manchester 2–1 in the final, earning promotion to the Conference North. Their first season back in the Conference North ended with a fourth-place finish and a play-off semi-final defeat to Altrincham, losing 4–3 on aggregate. In 2015–16 they finished second-from-bottom of the renamed National League North and were relegated to the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division.

Grantham Town are the focus of today’s 21 in 21.

When do we play them?

Home: Saturday 15th December
Away: Tuesday 4th September

Name: Grantham Town FC
Nickname: The Ginderbreads
Founded: 1874
Ground: South Kesteven Sports Stadium – Capacity: 7,500
Manager: Ian Cluverhouse
Home Kit: Black & White
Away Kit: Yellow & Black
2017-2018 – Northern Premier League – Premier Division – 4th

Club History:

The club was established in 1874 as Grantham Football Club. They joined the Midland Amateur Alliance, but withdrew from the league during the 1892–93 season. They joined the Grantham & District League the following season. The club later returned to the Midland Amateur Alliance, where they played until becoming founder members of the Central Alliance in 1911 alongside Grantham Avenue. In 1924–25 they were Central Alliance champions, also winning Division B of the Subsidiary Competition.

Grantham then moved up to the Midland League. In 1928–29 they reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time since the Victorian era, and after beating Rhyl Athletic 1–0, they lost 2–1 at Third Division North club Wigan Borough. In 1933 they joined the new Central Combination, but after finishing second-from-bottom of the league in its first season, they returned to the Midland League. The club qualified for the first round again in 1935–36, losing 2–0 at home to Notts County.The 1937–38 season saw the club finish the season as Midland League runners-up.

In the 1945–46 FA Cup, the first after World War II, Grantham reached the second round again; after beating Kettering Town in the first round, they lost 4–2 on aggregate to Mansfield Town in the second round. Another first round appearance in 1947–48 resulted in a 2–1 defeat at Stockton, whilst the club’s 1949–50 FA Cup run ended with a 4–1 loss at Wrexham. In 1959 the club left the Midland League to rejoin the Central Alliance and were placed in Division One South. However, after two seasons the club returned to the Midland League. In 1961–62 they reached the first round of the FA Cup again, this time losing 3–0 at Brierley Hill Alliance.

Grantham were Midlands League champions in 1963–64 and runners-up the following season. In 1965–66 they beat Hendon 4–1 in the first round of the FA Cup before losing 6–1 at home to Swindon Town in the second round. They also reached the second round the following seasonafter beating Wimbledon 2–1 in the first round; in the second round they lost 4–0 at home to Oldham Athletic. After finishing as Midland League runners-up again in 1969–70, they won back-to-back league titles in 1970–71 and 1971–72; the 1970–71 season also saw them beat Football League opposition in the FA Cup for the first time, defeating Stockport County 2–1 in the first round before losing 4–1 to Rotherham United in the second. After the second successive title in 1971–72, the club were promoted to Division One North of the Southern League, which they won at the first attempt, earning promotion to the Premier Division.

The 1973–74 FA Cup saw Grantham progress to the third round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 1880s. After beating Hillingdon Borough 4–0 in the first round, they went on to defeat Third Division Rochdale 5–3 in a second round replay. In the third round they lost 2–0 at home to Second Division Middlesbrough in front of a record crowd of 6,578. In 1977–78 the club finished bottom of the Southern League Premier Division and were relegated to Division One North. The following season saw them win the division. As well as being promoted, the club were also transferred to the Northern Premier League. However, after being relegated at the end of the 1984–85 season, they were transferred back to the Southern League and placed in the Midland Division.

In 1987 the club was renamed Grantham Town. They were Midland Division champions in 1997–98, earning promotion to the Premier Division. The club were relegated again at the end of the 1999–2000 season, this time of the Eastern Division. After finishing as runners-up in the Eastern Division in 2001–02 the club were promoted back to the Premier Division. In 2006 they were transferred to the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League, but were relegated to Division One South at the end of the 2007–08 season. In 2010–11 a fifth-place finish saw them qualify for the promotion play-offs, in which they beat Newcastle Town 3–0 in the semi-finals before losing 2–0 to Rushall Olympic in the final. However, they won Division One South the following season and were promoted back to the Premier Division. In 2017–18 the club finished fourth in the Premier Division, qualifying for the play-offs. After defeating Warrington Town 3–0 in the semi-finals, they were beaten 2–0 by Ashton United in the final.

Mickleover RBL 0 – 2 Mickleover Sports

Written by Sam Goldsworthy

Mickleover Sports continued their pre season run of unbeaten games as overcame a stern test from their near neighbours Mickleover Royal British Legion (RBL) to bring the Helen Belgrave Memorial Trophy back to Don Amott Arena, but most importantly getting more minutes under their belts whilst raising money for charity at the same time.
John McGrath decided to split the squads for the two games in two days geographically, with the Derby based players playing tonight and the rest of the squad based further up north playing on Wednesday night at Heanor Town. This meant that a Trialist keeper started in goal, with Tristan Matthews and Tom Eccleshall at full backs. Kevin Grocott returned from injury to partner Tyreece Robinson at centre back, with a midfield make up of Lewis Belgrave, Jimmy Phillips, Curtis Burrows and Will Norcross. Up front Sports went with the duo of Evan Garnett and Clinton Morrison.

RBL had the first chance of the game early on as the No.9 headed a lovely cross into the box just wide of the left hand post. A minute later Evan Garnett went up the other end and fired an effort just over the bar. Will Norcross then had two chances to give Sports the lead with one being blocked and the other saved by the keeper. Jimmy Phillips then had a low driving effort saved by the keeper. Then a lovely move between Eccleshall and Morrison out Garnett through 1v1 with the RBL keeper but he blazed his effort over the bar. But it wouldn’t be long before Garnett got his goal to put Sports 1-0 up on 24 minutes. The ball was worked into the box and after a couple of efforts blocked it fell into the path of Garnett who notched his first goal of this current pre season with a low drive under the RBL keeper and into the net.
From then Sports pressed on and take over proceedings as Norcross and Garnett had chances leading up to half time to extend the lead. Lewis Belgrave had an effort saved low down by the diving RBL keeper before he was hard at work again as the keeper had to produce a stunning reaction save to keep out Trialist’s volleyed effort. This kept the score to only the one goal going into the break when it could have been a much bigger score line.

As they did in the first half Mickleover RBL had the first chance in the second half. The No.8 delivered powerful driving strike that the Trialist keeper did well to bring down into his arms. From then on it was all Sports again as the difference in level soon showed as they grabbed a second goal within the first 10 minutes of the second period. An effort from Trialist was saved by the keeper but it was followed up by Will Norcross who slide an effort home under the keeper to extend the lead. Sports could have gone 3-0 up but Belgrave could only hit the post with his latest effort.

On the hour mark Sports boss John McGrath made four changes as off came Eccleshall, Trialist, Burrows and Morrison and on came four academy players Gordon, Davies, Parkin and Walsh. A cracking free kick from Belgrave is tipped over the bar from the RBL keeper, who was having a very good game in net. As the game was drawing to a close Norcross struck an effort off the bar and after what seemed like hundreds of blocked attempts the ball was eventually cleared by RBL as the ball just didn’t seem to drop for a Sports player. One final change was made from Sports as a rare moment occurred as goalkeeper Lewis King came on outfield as a striker in place of Evan Garnett. The Mickleover stopper could even have grabbed a goal for himself as he look lively in his cameo outfield. But the strike from outside the box was hit some distance over the bar. This was the final action of the game as Sports won the Helen Belgrave Memorial Trophy and raised some fantastic money towards the cancer ward at Derby Hospital. Of course it all counts towards match fitness with the season not too far away now. The rest of the squad will get their chance to get their pre season minutes as they travel to face former Sports player Dan Martin’s Heanor Town on Wednesday night, 7:30pm Kick Off.

Gainsborough Trinity are the focus of today’s 21 in 21.

When do we play them?

Home: Saturday 19th January
Away: Tuesday 21st August

Name: Gainsborough Trinity FC
Nickname: The Holy Blues
Founded: 1873
Ground: The Northholme- Capacity: 4340
Manager: Lee Sinnott
Home Kit: Blue & White
Away Kit: Yellow & Black
2017-2018 – National League North – 20th – Relegated

Club History:

The club was established in 1873 as Trinity Recreationists by Reverend George Langton Hodgkinson, the vicar at the Holy Trinity Church. In 1889 the club were founder members of the Midland League, which they won in 1890–91. The club finished as runners-up the following season and again in 1895–96, after which they applied for election to the Football League.

In the vote they finished third, ahead of existing members Port Vale and Crewe Alexandra, and were elected into the Second Division. The club’s first season in Division Two of the League saw them finish seventh, but a gradual decline in form saw them finish in the bottom half of the table every season until 1904. In 1901–02 Trinity finished bottom of the division, but were re-elected. In 1904–05 the club finished sixth in Division Two, their best performance during their Football League membership.

In 1911–12 Gainsborough finished bottom of the Second Division for a second time, and failed to be re-elected, receiving just nine votes to the 27 received by newly elected Lincoln City. The club returned to the Midland League, finishing third in 1912–13 and second in 1913–14, after which they unsuccessfully applied for readmission to the Football League. When the Football League created a new Third Division North in 1921, Trinity applied for membership, but were again unsuccessful.

The club won the Midland League title in 1927–28, and the following season defeated Football League opposition in the FA Cup for the first time since losing their League status, beating Crewe 3–1 in the first round, before losing to Chesterfield in the second round. In 1931–32 they beat Crewe again in the first round, before losing 5–2 at home to Watford. In 1937–38 Trinity beat Port Vale in the first round, before losing to fellow non-League club Yeovil & Petters United. Another Football League team was beaten the following season, when Trinity knocked out Gateshead in the first round, before losing to Doncaster Rovers.

Following World War II Gainsborough had further success in the FA Cup, reaching the first round of the FA Cup in 1945–46, losing to Mansfield Town, and in 1946–47, when they were beaten by Darlington. In 1948–49 they reached the second round after defeating Witton Albion in the first round, before losing 4–3 at Walsall. They went on to win a third Midland League title that season. First round appearances in the FA Cup followed in 1950–51 (losing 3–0 to Plymouth) and 1951–52 (losing to Witton), before the 1952–53 season saw another second round appearance; after beating Netherfield in a first round replay, they lost 2–1 at Newport County. They reached the first round again the following season, before losing 4–1 at home to Chesterfield. The club failed to repeat the feat until 1959–60, when they lost to Doncaster Rovers in a replay.

At the end of the 1959–60 season, the Midland League was disbanded. Gainsborough spent a single season playing in both the Central Alliance and Division Two of the Yorkshire League, before returning to a reformed Midland League in 1961. Trinity won their fourth Midland League title in 1966–67, also reaching the first round of the FA Cup (losing 1–0 at home to Colchester United), before becoming founder members of the new Northern Premier League in 1968. The club applied to join the Football League again in 1975 and 1976, but received only a single vote on each occasion. The 1983–84 season saw them reach the first round of the FA Cup for over a decade, as they lost 2–0 at home to Blackpool.

When the Northern Premier League added a second division in 1987, Gainsborough were placed in the Premier Division. In 1997–98 FA Cup saw them drawn against local rivals Lincoln City, who won 3–2 in a ‘home’ replay that was played at Lincoln’s Sincil Bank. Another first round appearance in 2003–04 ended with a 7–1 defeat at Brentford. At the end of the season a tenth-place finish saw the club become founder members of the
Conference North.

FA Cup first round appearances followed in 2006–07 (a 3–1 defeat by Barnet and 2007–08 (a 6–0 loss at home to Hartlepool United). In 2011–12 the club finished fourth, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. However, after beating Halifax Town in the semi-finals, Trinity lost the final 1–0 to Nuneaton Town.

In another FA Cup first round appearance in 2015–16, the club were beaten 1–0 by Shrewsbury Town. The club were relegated for the first time in their history at the end of the 2017–18 season, dropping into the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division.

Mickleover Sports head up the A38 on Wednesday to take on East Midlands Counties League side Heanor Town. The Lions finished 13th in the Total Motion Midland Football League Premier Division (Step 5) last season however the club decided to take voluntary relegation at the end of last season due to financial reasons and travelling costs. But the club will now be looking to push on and have a good season back at Step 6 where they have not been since they won the East Midlands Counties League back in the 2011-2012 season. Heanor Town play their home games at the Town Ground where they have been based since 1953 after merging with Heanor Athletic.

OPPOSITION DUGOUT:

The Lions are now under the reign of former Mickleover Sports player Dan Martin. Dan is a well known figure around the club and has many family and friends still at Sports. The ex Notts County player took over the managers role at Heanor Town after a season to forget at Rocester, finishing bottom of the Total Motion Midland Football League Premier Division and subsequently relegated. However Dan will be looking to put that all behind him and will now have his full focus with trying to guide Heanor Town to a successful season this term. He has assembled a very strong squad, keeping many players from last season as well as bringing many players he had at Rocester with him as well as recruiting from Holbrook Sports and Stapenhill FC.

TEAM NEWS:

The team that travel to Heanor will be made up of the players who didn’t play at Mickleover RBL. The squad will consist of the following: Lewis King, Nathan Jarman, Niall Doran, John McGrath, Oliver Roberts, Jake Scott, Ben Turner, Tom Burgin. The rest will be made up of Trialists and Academy players.

GOING TO THE GAME?

The game will take place at The Town Ground, Mayfield Avenue, Heanor, Derbyshire, DE75 7EN.
Kick off on Wednesday 1st August is 7:30pm and admission prices are £3 Adults, £2 OAP’s and FREE for U16’s. Heanor Town are well known for their excellent hospitality and catering so be sure to try their extensive food menu and have a fantastic clubhouse so make sure to grab a drink before and after the match.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME?

Press & Media Officers Sam & Kerry will be there keeping you updates via our Facebook & Twitter accounts as well as a Photo Gallery available on Facebook and post match Interviews available on Mickleover Sports TV after the game.