by Peter Scherer
Following the departure of John McGrath after eight years in charge, Gareth Holmes has taken over the reins.
Mansfield born Holmes played in the Conference for Nuneaton Borough and Leigh RMI, as well as locally with Ilkeston Town, Worksop and Hucknall Town and had six-month spell in Finland too.
He had already done some coaching at Ilkeston, “I decided to retire from playing aged 26 and became one of the youngest first team coaches in the league when I joined Mansfield Town,” he explained.
His FA and UEFA coaching qualifications continued to map his career, when after a year at Field Mill, he joined Burton Albion, working with the Brewers junior players.
Two years later he moved on to Birmingham City in a similar role, and then spent six years with Nottingham Forest managing the under 18’s, as well as been part of the first-team coaching staff
Since then he has worked with the Derby County Community Trust, but felt it was now time to make a return.
“I haven’t been away from football, just the competitive side, after I had done 20 years of coaching,” he explained.
He has worked a lot with youngsters developing their careers, “that part is important to me, helping us build a strong squad at Mickleover and helping the youngsters develop in their individual careers,” he added.
“I saw Mickleover play a couple of times this season, but at the time I never thought I would be where I am now. I am hoping to announce my backroom line-up later this week too,” he confirmed too.
He has four key words in his coaching style, SERVE, IMPROVE, DRIVE & UNITE.
With rumours getting stronger that Mickleover may be making a return to the Northern Premier League, does our new gaffer have any views on that?
“I believe any moving of leagues etc will be confirmed by the end of the month, but with only Blyth from the North coming down from the National League North and the others all Southern based, that could be quite likely. I think the Northern Premier is probably a stronger league too,” he concluded.