Basford United FC are the focus of today’s 21 in 21.

When do we play them?

Home: Monday 22nd April
Away: Wednesday 26th December

Name: Basford United Football Club
Nickname: Community
Founded: 1900
Ground: Greenwich Avenue
Manager: Martin Carruthers
Home Kit: Yellow & Black
Away Kit: White & Black
2017-2018: Northern Premier Division One South – 1st – Promoted as Champions

Club History:

Basford United was formed in 1900 at the Old Pear Tree Inn. They initially played in the Notts Combination, winning the league cup in 1903–04, before switching to the Notts Alliance in 1904. They won the league in their first season, and again in 1906–07 and 1919–20. The club were later relegated to Division Two, which they won in 1929–30.

During World War II the club played in the Notts Amateur Alliance, returning to the Notts Alliance after the war. The 1946–47 season saw them win the Notts Senior Cup. They were relegated to Division Two in 1970–71, although they soon returned to the Senior Division. After finishing bottom of the table in 1981–82 they were relegated again. The 1984–85 season saw them finish as runners-up in Division One, earning promotion back to the Senior Division. In 1987–88 they won the Notts Senior Cup again, beating Hucknall Town in the final.

After finishing second-from-bottom in 1991–92, Basford were relegated to Division One again. However, a second-place finish in 1993–94 saw them promoted again. They were relegated again in 1995–96, and despite winning Division One in 1997–98, they were relegated back to the division after finishing bottom of the Senior Division the following season. They withdrew from the league (now the Notts Senior League) during the 2005–06 season. However, they returned to the Senior Division the following season. After finishing as runners-up in 2009–10 and 2010–11, Basford switched to the South Division of the Central Midlands League.
Basford won the division at the first attempt (and the league’s Floodlit Trophy), earning promotion to the East Midlands Counties League.

After a second successive title in 2012–13 (also becoming the first club to win both the league and the league cup), they were promoted to the Premier Division of the Northern Counties East League. They finished fifth in 2013–14, and were transferred to the Premier Division of the new Midland League for the 2014–15 season. They went on to win the inaugural league title, earning promotion to Division One South of the Northern Premier League, as well as winning the Notts Senior Cup for a third time. A fourth-place finish in 2015–16 saw them qualify for the promotion play-offs. However, they lost 5–0 to Coalville Town in the semi-finals.

The 2017–18 season saw Basford win the Division One South title, earning promotion to the Premier Division.

Bamber Bridge are the focus of today’s 21 in 21.

When do we play them?

Home: Saturday 22nd December
Away: Saturday 27th April

Name: Bamber Bridge Football Club
Nickname: The Brig
Founded: 1974
Ground: Irongate (3000 with 554 seated)
Manager: Neil Reynolds
Home Kit: White & Black
Away Kit: Red & Black
2017-2018: Evo Stik Division One North – 4th of 22 – Promoted via Play Offs

Club History:
A Bamber Bridge club played in the late 19th century, but the modern club was established in 1952. The new club joined the Preston & District League, progressing to the Senior Division. In 1974 they merged with Walton-le-Dale, continuing in the Preston & District League. They went on to win the league’s Guildhall Cup in 1978–79, before completing a Premier Division and cup double in 1980–81. After winning the Lancashire FA Amateur Shield in 1981–82 and another Guildhall Cup win in 1984–85, they won back-to-back Premier Division titles in the next two seasons, before winning a league and cup double in 1989–90.

In 1990 Bamber Bridge moved up to Division Two of the North West Counties League. Their second season in the league saw them win the division, resulting in promotion to Division One; they also reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase, where they lost 2–0 to Wimborne Town. After finishing as runners-up in Division One in the following season (1992–93), a second successive promotion was achieved when the club moved up to Division One of the Northern Premier League.

In 1994–95, a second-place finish saw Bamber Bridge promoted to the Premier Division, with the club also winning the league’s Challenge Cup in their first season in the league and victory in the final of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy. The following season they won the Premier Division, which would have usually resulted in promotion to the Football Conference. However, Irongate was not deemed up to standard for the fifth tier, and the club remained in the Northern Premier League.

In 1999–2000 Bamber Bridge reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time. After beating St Albans City 2–0, they lost 1–0 at Cambridge United in the second round. The club remained in the Premier Division until the end of the 2001–02 season, in which they finished bottom; although they beat Radcliffe Borough 3–2 in the promotion/relegation play-off semi-final, they were beaten 2–1 by Ashton United in the final.

Although Bamber Bridge returned to the Premier Division as a result of league restructuring following the creation of the Conference North and South, their stay was short-lived as they were relegated to Division One at the end of the 2004–05 season. However, the season did see them win the President’s Cup. When the league added a third division in 2007, the club were placed in Division One North.

A fourth-place finish in 2013–14 saw Bamber Bridge qualify for the promotion play-offs. After beating Warrington Town 1–0 in the semi-finals, they lost 3–2 to Ramsbottom United in the final. In the following season they finished third, again qualifying for the play-offs, this time losing 2–0 to Darlington 1883 in the final after beating Northwich Victoria 2–1 in the semi-final. A fourth-place finish in 2017–18 saw the club reach the play-offs, in which they defeated Tadcaster Albion 2–1 in the semi-finals and Prescot Cables 1–0 in the final to earn promotion to the Premier Division.

It will feel like De Ja Vu on Friday night as Sports return to Sandy Lane to take on a side in a Step 5 league playing in Amber & Black. But not Handsworth Parramore, this time it’s their tenants Worksop Town. After a cancellation Sports have stepped in to provide the opposition for Worksop Town, as well as to add another chance for match fitness ahead of the new season for Sports.

THE OPPOSITION:
Worksop Town currently play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division at Step 5, the same league as their Landlords Handsworth Parramore. However they have been as high as the National League North as recently as 2004 in which they were founder members. But they only lasted three years in the division before being relegated back to the Northern Premier League, and it was around this time that the club fell into financial difficulties and lost ownership of their home ground at Sandy Lane, being forced to rent the grounds of Hucknall Town, Ilkeston Town and Retford United for three years.

In 2011 the club finally returned to Sandy Lane, but this time as tenants of Worksop Parramore (now Handsworth Parramore), who had bought the ground and allowed the Tigers to play there. The 2013–14 season almost saw Worksop clinch promotion back to the Conference North but they were beaten in the league play-off semi-finals. At the end of the season the owner revealed he would no longer be funding the club, plunging Worksop into a financial crisis, and shortly afterwards the decision was taken to resign from the Northern Premier League and join the Northern Counties East League (NCEL), entering the NCEL’s Premier Division where they have remained since.

TEAM NEWS:
Sports are expected to have a full squad available for the return trip to Workshop, with new signing Oli Roberts expected to play another big part in the game after an impressive debut in the 4-0 win over Frickley Athletic. A number of Trialists who have been training and playing for Sports this pre season are all expected to feature at some point during proceedings.

GOING TO THE GAME:
Kick Off is at 7:30pm at Sandy Lane Stadium, Sandy Lane, Workshop, Nottinghamshire, S80 1SN. Admission Prices are £6 Adults, £3 Concessions (OAPS, Unemployed, disabled & Students), £2 11-16 years and Under 10’s FREE with a paying Adult.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME:
Then we will keep you covered, Press & Media Officer Sam Goldsworthy will be there updating you via Twitter, Facebook & of course will have Reaction on Mickleover Sports TV (YouTube) after the game.

Mickleover Sports is delighted to confirm the signing of exciting midfielder Oliver Roberts ahead of the 2018/2019 season (subject to International Clearance). The 21 year old, who scored 4 goals in 54 appearances for Stalybridge Celtic last season, joins John McGraths side after a spell playing over in the States for New Orleans Jesters in the National Premier Soccer League, the fourth tier of the USA pyramid. Highlights of his time in Louisiana include a 92nd minute winner against Greenfield and a stunning free kick in a separate game.

Oli is from Ashton-under-Lyme, starting his youth career at Stockport County in 2012. His talent was spotted by Stoke City, and he switched youth teams. In 2016 after signing first team terms but not making a first team appearance, he joined Tamworth on loan, then Fleetwood Town permanently, making his debut against Carlisle in the EFL Trophy. He was almost ever present in the 2017/2018 season for Stalybridge Celtic , missing just two matches (and he was a unused substitute for one of those!)

Roberts first match in a Mickleover shirt was in Tuesday nights 4-0 pre season victory away at Frickley Athletic. Afterwards Oli spoke to Sam & Kerry Goldsworthy on Mickleover Sports TV. Click on the link below to watch his post match interview. The video also includes the thoughts of Media Officer for the Jesters, Paul Boron, as well as some goals he has scored over in the USA. Remember to Subscribe to channel for all the latest Mickleover Sports content.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M8XmG_eGAA

Things are looking up for the Sports as Jake Scott resigns for the club for another season.

The Midfielder signs on the dotted line to join the likes of Nathan Jarman, Pablo Mills and Curtis Burrows to the squad for the beginning of the 2018/2019 season that begins on Saturday 18th of August with the Sports travelling to Manchester to play Stalybridge Celtic at Bower Fold.

Scott told press and media officers Sam and Kerry

I’m over the moon. I didn’t have any intention of going anywhere so I sat down with him (John McGrath) and couldn’t really turn it down.

Jake Scott is on his 3rd season for the club since leaving Shaw Lane in 2016. He started his career at Barnsley at the age of 7 til 2013 where he signed for Worksop Town. He then went to Bradford Park Avenue, Gainsborough Trinity and Shaw Lane but has now comitted his future to the Sports.

Talking about his personal goals for the season, Jake explained:

It’s like everyone else, they always want to go on to better things if they can but I’m fully committed to Mickleover, get a good pre season and hit the ground running for August.

Jake Scott will be continuing to join the squad in training throughout the rest of the pre season period with our next match on Friday 27th of July at Worksop where the hosts Worksop Town will be our competitors (7:30pm kick off) and will be in the squad for our 2018/2019 season starting with a trip to Manchester for Stalybridge Celtic (3:00pm kick off) on Saturday 18th of August

Written by Sam and Kerry Goldsworthy
Press and media officers for Mickleover Sports

Frickley Athletic 0 – 4 Mickleover Sports

Tuesday 24th July 2018

Written by Sam Goldsworthy

Mickleover Sports continued their 100% pre-season record with their fourth win in as many games as they came way from South Yorkshire with a 4-0 win over their Step Four opponents Frickley Athletic. A first half strike from manager John McGrath gave Sports the lead at half time in a competitive and even first period where both sides created good chances. But as the second half progressed Sports were able to find more space and proved more clinical in front of goal as two fantastic goals from new striker Nathan Jarman and a second in two games for the Trialist from The Netherlands meant a comfortable victory in the end for Sports but they were certainly tested by Frickley Athletic in a good pre-season game ahead of the new season.
Sports had the first two good chances of the game. First Will Norcross had an effort blocked before he picked out Nathan Jarman a few minutes later from a cross, but the former Gainsborough Trinity forward’s header went over the bar as he was flagged offside anyway. The next two chances went to Frickley as Connor Smith hit the side netting then former Sports player Jacob Hazel then going close but his effort was well saved by Sports keeper Lewis King. Next neat play by Jarman as he turned his defender after receiving the ball inside the box but the strike was not powerful enough to test the Athletic keeper who saved comfortably. Sports Boss John McGrath then went close as he rattled the bar with a ferocious strike from outside the box which rebounded away from danger.

A couple of set pieces the threatened the give the hosts the lead but it was in fact Sports who drew first blood a couple of minutes before half time. After receiving the ball from the right hand side outside the box John McGrath cut inside on his left foot and curled a lovely effort past the keeper and into the bottom left corner to give Mickleover the lead at the break. But not before Jarman had a chance to make it 2-0 as his curling effort into the corner was blocked and saved by the keeper.

One change for Sports at half time as Will Norcross was replaced by Evan Garnett and straight away the former Burton Albion academy striker had an immediate impact. Garnett was played through but as the keeper came out to try and clear the ball, it fell to Jarman who wasted no time in lobbing the ball over the Frickley back line and keeper and straight into the net down the middle to rack up his first Sports goal and double the away sides lad. Two efforts from Jarman and Garnett came and went before Frickley got a foothold back in the game and started creating problems for the Sports defence again. Lovely work by Connor Smith set up Athletic midfielder Jack Burton but his shot was deflected wide for a corner.

Clinton Morrison made way for Trialist later on around the hour mark to add some extra pace up front and it helped as Sports bagged another goal. A beautiful first time effort from Jarman as he dinked the ball over the keeper and clipped off the left hand post found the net and just showed the quality that he can bring to Sports’ attacking line this season.

A lot of changes then happed for both sides. Sports took off Pablo Mills, Jake Scott and Niall Doran to be replaced by Trialist, Tyreece Robinson and Lewis Belgrave. Sports had the lion share of possession towards the end of the game and after two efforts from two Trialists threatened to add a fourth goal that moment eventually arrived on 82 minutes. The Trialist from the Netherlands was played in behind the Frickley defence and produced a delightful chip over the diving keeper and into the bottom left hand corner. That was his second goal in two games for the club on trial so must be catching the eye of McGrath as the season draws ever closer.

This turned out to be the last major action of the game as the referee blew time on the 90 minute mark to end a fantastic night for the club on and off the field. With the news that former Stalybridge Celtic midfielder Oliver Roberts has now joined up with the squad ahead of the new campaign after playing in America for New Orleans Jesters, the build up to the season is looking great ahead of the next friendly as we travel back to Worksop to take on Handsworth Paramore’s tenets and former Evo Stik side Worksop Town on Friday 27th July with a 7:30pm Kick Off.

Written by Sam Goldsworthy

Mickleover Sports make the long trip up to South Elmsall in Yorkshire Tuesday night to take on Evo Stik Northern Division One East opponents Frickley Athletic.

THE OPPOSITION:
The Blues had a fantastic season in 2017/2018 as they finished 3rd in their respective league, only to fall to eventual Play Off Final runners up Stamford as they lost 2-1 at home to the side from Lincolnshire in the semi final.

This season though Frickley have strengthened and brought together a very good side of players which will be looking to go one better this year and aim for the league title.

TEAM NEWS: Sports boss John McGrath will have a similar squad to the side that beat Handsworth Parramore 3-0 in their last outing. With one extra Trialist who will be involved in the squad.

GOING TO THE GAME:
Kick off is at 7:30pm at the Westfield Lane Stadium, Westfield Lane, South Elmsall, WF9 2EQ. With the game being Frickley’s community game admission prices are set at a donation of your choice so please give generously to a great cause.

NOT GOING TO THE GAME:
Then don’t worry, Press & Media Officers Sam & Kerry Goldsworthy will be there updating you via Twitter, Facebook & of course will have Reaction on Mickleover Sports TV (YouTube) after the game.

Teversal 2-1 Mickleover Sports XI

Saturday 21^st July 2018

Written by Sam Goldsworthy

Dave Mackenzie’s depleted reserve side came away with plenty of positives and things to work on after falling to a 4-1 preseason defeat to East Midlands Counties side Teversal. A crass on the A38 earlier in the day meant kick off was delayed by 15 minutes as some of Sports didn’t make it to the ground until very late in the warm up. But they did not let this affect them as they showed promise against a very strong and well drilled Teversal side who will definitely be up there challenging come the end of the season.

Goals from Lewis Brown, Danny Fletchers and Matt Wilkinson saw Teverseal run clear ahead before Sports forward Keldon finished off a lovely move to pull a goal back for Sports with 20 minutes or so to go in the match. A missed penalty meant the score stayed at 4-1 right at the end but just as you can’t read too much into wins in preseason, the same goes for losses and with many players unavailable through injury, the side can be proud of their efforts going into their next friendly against Midland Football League Division One side Stapenhill FC next Saturday

Teversal took the lead on 7 minutes as a good cross in from Danny Fletcher found Lewis Brown towering above the Sports defenders and into the top right hand corner past Max Bennett in goal.

The hosts doubled their lead on 38 minutes when a free kick into the Sports box was not dealt with which after a commotion inside the penalty area allowed Danny Fletcher to prod home under Bennett and into the goal.

On the 59^th minute the Tevie Boys made it 3-0 as Sports were attacking. Teversal countered after winning the ball back and played in Brandon Clarke down the right hand side at speed. Clarke crossed low and hard towards Danny Fletcher who notched his second with another neat finish into the net.

The fourth goal was rather unfortunate on the 68^th minute as what looked like a comfortable save from a tamed shot turned into another goal. Max Bennett took his eyes off the ball as it came towards him from Matt Wilkinson and it slipped from his hands and into the bottom right corner.

But Sports didn’t let their heads drop as from the restart a lovely high speed move saw Sports et a goal back. A lovely finish at the back post after a ball into the box found Keldon and the Sports striker didn’t waste his chance as his powerful strike from close range ended up into the net.

It could have been five as Sports conceded a last minute penalty but Brandon Clarke stepped up and sent his effort high and wide out of the ground which resulted in the final whistle being blown.

A real hard but positive test for the Sports Reserves can only benefit the in the build up to their Central Midland Football League Division One South campaign as they now move onto to the game at Edge Hill to play Burton-on-Trent based side Stapenhill on Saturday 28^th July, 3pm KO.

Press & Media Officers Sam & Kerry Goldsworthy can confirm that the very first of Mickleover Sports new online show “Sports Report” will be available to watch on Wednesday 1st August. This will be uploaded onto the new Youtube Channel “Mickleover Sports TV”, which fans can subscribe to on the link at the bottom of this article. Make sure you click the little bell next to the subscribe button so that you are notified every time we upload.

On the new show Sports Report, Sam Goldsworthy said

This is a brand new feature myself and Kerry have thought up and been planning for a few weeks now with the help of Video Analyst Jake Garratt. We have been creating content which we feel supporters will want to see and that will keep them up to date visually with what has been happening at the football club on and off the pitch. Sports Report will include match highlights, player & manager interviews and other exciting content which will take place during the season. A new episode will be uploaded on the first day of every month. We hope people watch and enjoy it and can always leave comments with suggestions of things they’d like to see included in the future. We feel this is something unique for a club at this level and hope it will keep supporters up to date and give them something to look forward to each month.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRPMLOBwM6cJ631Anvw-pdQ

Written by Sam Goldsworthy

Whilst the Sports First Team don’t have a game this weekend, this definitely don’t mean you can’t get your fix of Mickleover Sports action this Saturday! Our Reserve side continue their build up to their Central Midland Football League Division One campaign with an away friendly at Teversal.

The Tevie Boys, as they are known, currently play at Step 6 in the English Football Pyramid in the East Midlands Counties League, where they finished 3rd last season on 87 points. They narrowly missed out on promotion to Step 5 to eventual winners Dunkirk by two points, after looking like running away with the league themselves through most of the season. The club located just on the outskirts of Mansfield, will be looking to take that next step this season and gain that promotion in a very competitive league.

If you’re stuck for something to do this Saturday, come down to The Teversal Grange Sports & Social Centre, Carnarvon Street, Teversal, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 3HJ and see your up and coming Sports stars of the future in action!

Admission is £3 for Adults and £1.50 for Concessions and the The Tevie Bar and Tevie Tea Bar will be open all afternoon.