by Peter Scherer
It’s back on the road for Mickleover, as we head to newly promoted Leek Town on Tuesday evening, seeking our first win of the season.
Last Saturday Sports lost out to table toppers Hebburn Town, conceding a second half penalty, after pushing for an equaliser to their first half strike.
Leek are currently 13th in the table, having won away at Basford and lost at home to Stockton, before last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Workington.
Manager Josh Brehaut took over at the beginning of last season, having previously been joint assistant. He has worked in Stoke City and Port Vale’s Academies and been assistant manager at Kidsgrove.
First choice goalkeeper Dino Visser started his career in his native South Africa, with Platinum Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic, Back Leopards, Polokwane City, Santos and Cape Umoya, before coming to the UK with Exeter City in 2019 at the age of 30.
He quickly moved on via Crewe Alexandra and Port Vale, before joining Hereford in September 2022 and came to Leek last November.
His deputy is Xander Parke, a St.Kitts & Nevis International, who started out at Stoke City’s Academy. He joined Shrewsbury Town on his release and came to our hosts last October.
Right back Liam Buckley was signed from 1874 Northwich at the beginning of last season. Originally a Chester Junior, he has also played for Welsh Premiership side Cefn Druids.
Olly Harrison is a burly defender who started out at Crewe Alexandra. He went to Sweden with IKF Ostersund an first came to Leek in 2019.
Fenton Green is a defensive midfielder, who came through Crewe Alexandra’s youth team. He joined Hyde Utd on his release, who then loaned him to Stockport County. His next stop was 1874 Northwich for 16 months, before moving to Leek in November last year.
Midfielder Tom Scully unusually played for both Liverpool and Everton at youth level, before a two year stay at Norwich City. He then moved to Accrington, before crossing the Irish sea on loan at Carrick Rangers. Following his release from Accrington he joined Nantwich, before switching to Leek at the start of last season.
Winger Alex Hurst started at Crewe Alexandra too, and joined Matlock Town following his release. He moved on to Bradford Park Avenue and Port Vale, before loaned back to Bradford. Next stop was York City, before ending last season at Macclesfield. He has league two experience and came to Leek pre-season.
Midfielder Brendon Daniels s a former England C player, who has played in leagues one and two. He was another player to start out at Crewe, before playing at Under 21 level with both Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.
He was to Chester following his release, moving on to Tamworth, Harrogate Town, Fylde, Alfreton and Port Vale, with loans at Altrincham and Telford before joining Stourbridge on his release. He had a brief loan at Mickleover last season and was a pre-season signing for Leek.
Midfielder Nathan Okome is another new arrival. He started at Knutsford, before moving to 1874 Northwich, Hanley Town and Chorley, followed by loans at Witton Albion, Matlock and Glossop, before starting last season at Nantwich.
Fellow midfielder Ty Webster came from Crewe too, he played for Telford last season and was another pre-season arrival for our hosts.
Lucas Weir is another midfielder. His junior football was spent at Chester and Wigan before going to 1874 Northwich. He spent some time in the US with Evansville Purple Aces, before returning to Northwich. After spending 22/23 at Marine, he returned to Northwich for a third time last season, and was another pre-season arrival at Leek.
Central midfielder Ollie Shenton is a former Stoke City Junior. He was loaned to Wrexham and Kidderminster before going to Chorley on his release. He was then loaned to Warrington Rylands, before joining the pre-season newcomers at Leek.
Defender Liam Edwards is another pre-season signing. A former Stoke City youngster, he moved to Bolton on his release and captained their Under 21 side. He was then loaned to Southport and made six first team appearances at Bolton, before going to Chester after his release.
Midfielder Billy Reeves returned to our hosts for a second time, when he signed pre-season from Bury. A former Port Vale youngster, he originally came from Stafford Rangers in September 2018, but moved to Bootle last summer, before making the move to Bury.
Striker Tim Grice came from Stoke City’s Academy, before joining Wolstanton Utd and Alsager Town. He is the clubs longest serving player have signed from Eccleshall in 2011.
Striker Joe Woolley came in pre-season from Kidsgrove Athletic. He had joined them at the start of last season after eight seasons at 1874 Northwich and has also played for Bootle.
Tyreece Onyeka is another new arrival, from Stafford Rangers. Another Crewe Junior, he was loaned to Matlock and Stalybridge, before going to Staford on his release.
New signing Tom Curl is a right back and another former Stoke City Junior.
Join us at the F.Ball Community Stadium, kick off 7.45pm.