ROYSTON TOWN vs MICKLEOVER - MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - TUESDAY 10th JANUARY 2023

PITCHING IN SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE - PREMIER DIVISION CENTRAL

ROYSTON TOWN FC vs MICKLEOVER FC Tuesday 10th January 2023 Kick Off: 7.45pm

Royston Town FC would like to welcome this evening's opponents Mickleover FC for their visit to Garden Walk for this Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Division Central fixture.

We wish their Players, Officials and Supporters an enjoyable evening and hope that the match will be a keenly contested and entertaining game. ent

We also welcome tonight’s Match Officials and hope they too have an enjoyable game.

TONIGHT'S MATCH IS KINDLY SPONSORED BY

Royston Town Football Club President Chairman Secretary

Founded 1875 Alan Barlow Steve Jackson Terry McKinnell 9 Valley Rise, Royston, Herts SG8 9EY 07772 086709

Treasurer Welfare Officer Fixture Secretary Executive Board

Webmaster Programme Editors Official Photographer

email: secretary@roystontownfc.co.uk Jeff Gill Angela Baulk Steve Endacott (07971 512402) Trevor Burrows, Andy Toovey, Eric Joyce, David Baulk, Angela Baulk, Chris Coote, Duncan Easley, Giles Parnwell, Neil MacLeod, Matt Clowery Steve Endacott Angela Baulk, Neil MacLeod Kevin Richards

Football Management Team First Team Manager First Team Asst Manager U23 Manager U18 Team Managers Women's Team Manager Vets Team Manager

Steve Castle Chris Watters Dan Evans Dan Evans/Matt Campany Lewis Endacott Lee Wilkinson

Ground

Garden Walk, Royston, Herts SG8 7HP Telephone (01763) 241204

Colours

First XI U23 U18 Women's Vets

White/Black/White White/Black/White White/Black/Black White/Black/White White/Black/Black

Members of: The Hertfordshire Football Association Southern League Premier Division The Herts Senior County League Thurlow Nunn Youth League Eastern Region Women’s Football League The Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Ladies League Royston Town Football Club is Limited by Guarantee under the trading name of Royston Town FC Limited (Company Reg No. 14261163)

CLUB HONOURS WINNERS Herts County League (Div I) 1969-70, 1972-73 Herts County League (Premier Div) 1976-1977 South Midlands League (Div I) 1977-1978 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II) 1978-1979 South Midlands Reserve League (Div I) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) League Cup, 1978-79, 1979-1980 Herts Charity Shield, 1981-82, 1989-90, 1996-1997 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1988-1989 Chiltern Youth League (Div I) 1989-1990 South Combinations Reserve Floodlight Cup, 1992-1993 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1992-1993 South Midlands Challenge Trophy, 1995-1996 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div II) 1998-1999 Eastern Counties Youth League Cup, 2001-2002 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2004-2005 KB Tyres Division III Champions 2006-2007 South Midlands League (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands League Cup (Div I) 2008-2009 South Midlands Floodlit Cup 1994-1995 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 South Midlands Reserve League (Div II East) 2008-2009 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Cup 2008-2009 KB Tyres Division I League Cup 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Floodlit Cup 2009-2010 BIS Cambs League Division 2A 2010/2011 BIS Cambs League Divisional Champions 2010/2011 Veterans Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup 2010/2011 South Midlands Premier League 2011/2012 South Midlands Premier League Cup 2011/2012 Suburban League North Division 2012/2013, 2013/2014 Joint Winners of the Hinchingbrooke Cup 2013 Eastern Region Women’s League Plate 2013/2014, 2014/15 Suburban Premier League 2015-16 Eastern Region Women’s League Division 1 West 2015/16 Southern League Div 1 Central 2016/17 Southern League Challenge Cup 2021/22 RUNNERS UP South Midlands Challenge Cup, 1978-1979 Herts Charity Shield, 1978-79, 1998-99, 2004-05, 2008-2009 South Midlands League (Premier Div) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div IV) 1979-1980 North Herts (Div III) 1981-1982 North Herts (Div II) 1982-1983 South Midlands Res Section Trophy, 1982-1983 Chiltern Youth League Cup, 1986-87, 1988-1989 Herts Intermediate Cup, 1989-1990 Herts County Youth Cup, 1992-1993 North Herts (Div I), 1993-1994 South Midlands Floodlit Cup, 1995-1996 Herts F.A. Women’s Cup, 1998-99, 2001-2002 2013/14 Eastern Region Women’s League (Div I) 1999-2000, 2013/2014 2014/15 Eastern Junior Plate, 2001-2002 KB Tyres Division I 2008-2009, 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserve Challenge Trophy 2009-2010 South Midlands Reserves Floodlit Cup 2010/2011 Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup 2013/2014 Eastern Region Women’s League, League Cup 2014/15 Southern League Division 1 Central 2014/15 2015/16

SO WHEN DID IT ALL BEGIN? The history of Royston Town FC After some intensive research, the evidence is that the club came into existence in 1875 making Royston the third oldest Club in Hertfordshire after Hitchin and Bishop Stortford.

The Club’s very first honour came in 1911/12 when they won the Creake Charity Shield beating Wisbech 1-0 in extra time.

The Club’s first major honour in more recent times came in the guise of promotion to the Herts County Premier League in 1969/70 and they went on to be champions in 1972/73 and 1976/77. In 1978 we rejoined the South Midlands League and won the Division One title at the first time of asking. Success continued with a final appearance in the Herts Charity Shield for the first time in 1979 and runners up spot in the South Midlands League Premier Division in 1980. The Herts Charity Shield was won in 1981/82 and two years later the Club joined the Isthmian League Division Two North where we remained for 10 seasons before returning to the South Midlands League in 1994.

After a period in the doldrums that culminated in relegation from the South Midlands League Premier Division at the end of 2006/07, Paul Attfield was appointed manager with ex-Spurs favourite Tony Galvin returning to Garden Walk 1st Team Coach in November 2007.

Paul immediately set about building a new 1st Team squad and a run of 17 games undefeated saw the Club move from the bottom of the table to finish in 5th place in the League.

The foundations had been laid for the 2008/09 season and the first team took the South Midlands Division One League title with one of the best sets of stats for any Step 6 Club in the country W33, D4, L3, GF138, GA30, GD+108, PTS 103.

The 2011/2012 season will be seen as a watershed in our history with winning the South Midlands Premier Division title and promotion to Step 4 in the shape of the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central.

In our first season back at Step 4 after an absence of 19 years, it was hard to know what to expect and how we would perform. Most of our supporters felt a mid-table position would be an acceptable target for the season, but we quickly found ourselves exceeding all expectations as our performances propelled us towards the top of the table. Four straight wins in the first four games set the tone and a run of nine wins with just one defeat between October and December saw us maintain a play-off position. In the very last game of the season a playoff was still a possibility and having gone 2-1 up away at AFC Hayes with just a few minutes of the game left it looked a near certainty. But it was not to be as Hayes scored an 87-minute equaliser and our play-off place was lost.

In our second season at this level, our steady progress to claim a place in the playoff zone was given a severe jolt when Paul Attfield announced his resignation as first team manager due to ill health at the beginning of November. The search for his replacement began almost immediately and we were inundated with applications from some very well know and successful managers. After an exhaustive selection process, the Board appointed Steve Castle at the end of November and on Boxing Day Steve officially took over securing a 0 – 0 draw against the League’s form team and eventual champions Dunstable Town.

Our 2014/15 season opener was at home against one of the promotion favourites Rugby Town but an impressive team display ensured their threat was stifled and we ran out winners 2 -1. That victory really did set things buzzing but we were quickly brought back down to earth when on the following Tuesday night Bedworth United were the visitors winning the game 3 – 1.

As we all know consistency in performances provides the key to long term success and although the early stages of the season produced good results against the likes of Daventry Town and Beaconsfield these were punctuated by dismal performances against the likes of Aylesbury and Egham Town. From mid-November to mid-December We really lost our way with six defeats in seven games but our rollercoaster ride saw an incredible run of form over the Christmas period and into the New Year with five straight wins which helped us maintain a position in the playoff places.

On a miserable Tuesday evening in February, we travelled to lowly AFC Hayes and after an abject performance, we lost the game 2 – 0. This prompted our Chairman to tell Steve Castle that he had given up on this team making the play–offs and said that we should start preparing instead for next season. That message was conveyed to players and we witnessed a most remarkable transformation in our results with a 14 game unbeaten run during which we scored 29 goals and conceded just seven resulting in us achieving the runners up spot to league champions Kettering Town and securing our place in the playoff semi-final where we met local rivals Barton Rovers.

After an incident-packed 90 minutes and extra time the game ended in a goalless draw but it was not to be our night and we lost the shoot out 4-5 and had to suffer the agony of all the emotions which go with being defeated in this way.

We started the 2015/16 season strongly and between the end of December and the end of March we produced a rich vein of form with only one defeat in 14 games and this ensured we were sitting on top of the league with just 7 games to go and with the expectation that we could win promotion outright ran high throughout the whole club. However, three games in succession proved our downfall when we could only draw 0 – 0 with Bedford and lost to Egham away 3- 1 and Godalming at home 1- 0 and once again we ended up in the play offs against AFC Rushden but we failed to turn up and went out tamely to our opponents 2 - 1.

Having finished runners up for two years in succession Steve Castle was determined to make it third time lucky and began to recruit some experienced new blood in the shape of John Frendo and Adam Murray whilst at the same time giving youngsters Gus Scott Morris and Josh Castiglione extended runs in the first team.

However, the season didn’t start well and after four games we’d only mustered five points whilst promotion rivals Farnborough just couldn’t stop winning. Although results did improve, defeat in the FA Cup to Heybridge Swifts 4 – 1 and a thrashing by Barton Rovers at home 6 – 3 at the end of September didn’t do a great of good for our confidence.

Things took a dramatic turn thereafter with 12 successive league wins which ended with defeat 2-1 at Kidlington in early January 2017, interspersed by a magnificent run in the FA Trophy including a victory against Step 2 outfit Hampton and Richmond Borough before in the replay against Dulwich Hamlet we eventually went down 1 -0.

With cup football out of the way, the team put together an incredible run of 16 league games undefeated including a 5 – 0 thrashing of closest rivals Farnborough which saw us maintain the top spot until the end of the season by a margin of 12 points and the highest number of goals scored, 120, across all three Evostik Leagues.

Promotion to the Southern Premier League means that the Club was playing at the highest level in its 142-year history!

Season 2017/18 saw The Crows exceed all expectations in our first season at Step 3. Throughout the season we managed to maintain our hopes of a play-off place until they were finally put to bed with two successive defeats against the eventual play-off winners Slough Town and we had to be satisfied with a seventh-place finish. The signing of Adam Marriott, a proven goal scorer who had played for Lincoln City, Stevenage and Cambridge United was without a doubt a real coup and he was to play a key role in the progress made by the Club by becoming our leading marksman with 31 goals. A good run in the FA Trophy with wins against Enfield Town and Leatherhead came to an end against Eastbourne Borough when having managed to draw at their place we lost the replay on penalties. We managed to get to the final of the Herts Senior Cup where we played Borehamwood from Step 2 and in spite of a brave performance we never really had the power to compete and lost 2 – 1.

Given where we had started from we definitely exceeded our own and many other peoples’ expectations and this has provided us with the building blocks to face this season in the newly constituted Southern Premier Central League.

Season 2018/19 saw us finishing in a respectable 9th position in what proved to be a very strong Premier Division Central. During February/March we recorded six wins out of seven league games to give us a faint hope of a playoff spot, but three straight defeats in April put paid to our chances.

We suffered another early at AFC Sudbury in the FA Cup and in the FA Trophy we progressed through two rounds before being beaten in a replay at Needham Market.

Season 2019/20 will go down in the Club’s history as one of the most successful and exciting but ultimately one which ended in bitter disappointment.

Steve Castle was quick to ensure we had players who were proven goal scorers and the arrival of Matt Bateman, Brandon Adams and Claudio Ofosu did not disappoint. Perhaps the only sadness that our young and highly talented left wing-back Joe Newton had created so much interest from EFL Clubs that in the end, it was inevitable he would have to leave us and Joe was signed by Coventry City.

No Crows fans will ever forget the team's brilliant performances in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy and although our FA Cup run ended with defeat to the very talented Maldon and Tiptree in front of what was then a record crowd for Garden Walk of 1152. The interest generated in the Crows both locally and beyond was immense and set the scene for what was to come in the FA Trophy. It all started with very comfortable wins against Brightlingsea Regent and Haywards Heath and then were drawn away at Step 2 table-topping Wealdstone which for many was one of the games of the season as Royston shot into a 2- 0 lead before Wealdstone hit back to pull the tie level 2-2. In spite of being under constant pressure, the Crows mounted a great counterattack down the left and the cross was despatched by Brandon Adams to give the Crow’s victory 3-2. What followed was truly historic with home wins against Step 2 teams Boreham Wood 2-0, Chester 3-0 and away at National League Ebbsfleet 2-0, to set up a quarter-final tie away at Concord Rangers. In the run-up to the game, the rain had been falling heavily but our opponents declared the pitch playable and the invasion of six coach loads of Royston supporters and a convoy of cars and mini-buses descended on Canvey Island. As we started arriving for the kick-off the match referee declared the pitch unplayable and with a sense of extreme disappointment and also a lot of anger we all returned home. The following Tuesday the game went ahead but it was not to be and we were defeated 2-1. There is no doubt the Clubs achievements in the FA Trophy marked a watershed in our history which will be remembered for a very long time.

Running alongside the cup success it was easy to forget that we had got ourselves in contention to win the League with a run of only two defeats in 20 league fixtures. With 3 games in hand and only 2 points behind Peterborough Sports and Tamworth and playing some of our best football, we looked nailed on to win the League. Then out of the blue, the Covid crisis hit all levels of football and with what many felt was indecent haste the League decided to null and void the whole season.

All our achievements were suddenly for nothing and the taste of bitter disappointment amongst all supporters of the Crows was very hard to swallow.

Season 2020/21: As the pandemic took hold it seemed like the chances of seeing a new season start were remote but by summer 2020 there had been a massive improvement and by July the lockdown ended albeit with a host of restrictions in place.

By the time we had assembled a squad, we were without key players such as Matt Bateman who moved to Hemel Hempstead and Claudio Ofosu who joined Hartlepool and with a lot of the momentum and energy generated by the now-defunct season now dissipated we were finding it hard to get going again. In the League, we seemed to slip into the habit of conceding goals when in a winning position and a string of draws meant we languished in the lower half of the division.

The FA cup again promised to provide excitement with wins against Newmarket, Wroxham and AFC Stamford before losing to our old rivals Bishops Stortford. We won our first two ties in the FA Trophy against Hythe Town and Tamworth before going out 3-2 away at Brackley by which time the League season was yet again declared null and void as the second wave of Covid took its stranglehold.

A comprehensive history of the Club can be found in The History of Royston Town FC 1875 2012 first published in 2013. The book was written by the Club’s President, Alan Barlow following more than five years of painstaking research and can be purchased via the Club.

SCORES ON THE DOORS! LEAGUE TABLE PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL DIVISION

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/southern-football-league-premier-central-division

NEW YEAR, new you? If you’re anything like me, those resolutions will already be a little frayed around the edges.

But as the big clock struck midnight to bring in 2023, it’s only natural to look back at the previous 12 months and look ahead to what might be in the ones ahead.

You may have caught it in last week’s NLP, but each year we ask a group of people who, like us, love Non-League football and ask the same question – what would you like to see in the coming year.

My own answer, three-up, three-down from the National League into the EFL aside, centres around concussion substitutes. I really believe it’s time temporary subs were allowed to give the experts time to assess any potential concussion and ensure the player is given the right care.

We saw it a couple of times in the World Cup where a player clearly played on when he shouldn’t have. Allowing some time for him to go off to a quiet part of the stadium and let those in the know run through their protocols is only right. Hopefully it comes in.

Our north-east reporter Mark Carruthers is banging the drum for three-up, three-down in 2023 – it’s got to happen soon enough, surely, and a sentiment echoed by BBC Surrey Sport commentator Rob Worrall, who said, ‘Without doubt, an additional promotion place from the National League to the EFL. It simply HAS to happen now, with benefits to all – including those ‘big’ clubs that keep dropping down!’

His colleague at the NL Full Time podcast, Rich Worton, agrees but has an equally seismic change he’d like to be introduced too.

“Is it too obvious to say ‘three up, three down’ between the EFL and the National League? If it is, then I’d go for a different choice, and say that the implementation of the Crouch report’s recommendations and the appointment of an independent regulator for football would be hugely positive, and a sign that the government does care about the national game, rather than just doing so when it is expedient.”

Our executive editor Jon Couch would like to see the way games are postponed handled differently. In this current cost of living climate, clubs arriving at grounds only for the game never likely on to be called off is frustrating to say the least.

Another of our regular reporters, Andy Mitchell, is hacked off with how some approach the FA Trophy. He says: “Stop dismissing FA Trophy. The influx of clubs from the Football League has seen the FA Trophy relegated from the non-league FA Cup to a par with the Papa John’s Trophy.

It has a Wembley final and provides memories that last a lifetime – the big guns should take it seriously.” Indeed.

What would you like to see changed or introduced in Non-League in 2023? As long as it’s not VAR we’ll all be fine!

Steve Castle's Crows edged out the Eagles of Bedford Town in a 5 goal thriller at Garden Walk to kick off 2023 Goals from Shomari Barnwell, Kian Harness and Matt Bateman secured all 3 points for Royston Town in their first PitchingIn Southern League Premier Central home fixture of 2023.

We spoke with Steve Castle after his Royston Town side kicked off 2023 with a hard-fought 3-2 home victory over Bedford Town in the PitchingIn Southern League Premier Central.

WHO'S WHO OF THE CROWS Dimi Kyriatzis (Goalkeeper) A recent addition to the Crows squad having joined us from Bedfont Sports. Dimi's previous clubs include Brentford and Inter Leipzig.

Ed Asafu-Adjaye (Defender) Versatile defender who re-joined the Crows in 2019 after spending a season at Hayes & Yeading. Started his playing career at Luton Town and broke into the 1st team during the 2008/9 season. In total he made 64 appearances for The Hatters before moving to Forest Green Rovers and then to Hemel Hempstead Town.

Adam Murray (Defender) Adam joined us at the beginning of 2017/18, having spent the previous two seasons at Cambridge City where he made 60 appearances. He quickly settled into the squad and has proved to be a formidable addition for the Crows.

Ronnie Henry (Defender) Signed for the Crows at the beginning of this season after spending a season at Billericay Town. Ronnie was a product of the Spurs youth system, before going on to play 502 games for Stevenage (the club’s all-time record appearances) in two spells either side of two seasons at Luton Town.

Joel Nakatani-Brown (Defender) Joel is a 22 year old left-sided defender who has impressed during pre-season and joins the Crows for their 2022/23 Southern League Premier Central campaign. Joel’s previous clubs include Westfield, FC Romania, Cockfosters and Walthamstow.

James Brighton (Defender) Experienced full-back who joined us in November 2019 from Kettering Town, where he had spent a successful four seasons. James has previously played for Hemel Hempstead Town, Cambridge City & Cambridge United.

Jay Rolfe (Defender) Versatile defender who can play in a number of positions. Joined the Crows this Summer from Welwyn Garden City. Previous clubs include Cockfosters, Colney Heath and Hatfield Town Spyros Mentis (Midfield) Versatile, hard-working and tough-tackling midfielder or defender, Spyros re-joined The Crows in 2018/19 after a season away at Hayes & Yeading, he previously played just under 100 games for us from 2013 during his first spell at Garden Walk.

Alfie Williams (Midfield) Joined the Crows on loan from Stevenage until the end of this season. Alfie joined the Stevenage academy after being released by Tottenham Hotspur and signed a professional contract with Stevenage in April 2021. Made his professional debut for Stevenage in a 1–0 victory at Scunthorpe United in May 2021, coming on as an 83rdminute substitute in the match. Alfie has spent time on loan at Kings Langley, Hemel Hempstead Town and Hayes & Yeading United.

Fernando Bell Toxtle (Midfield) Fernando started his career at Cambridge United and spent time on loan at St Neots Town. Following his release from Cambridge United, he joined AFC Rushden & Diamonds in the summer of 2017. In November 2017 he moved to Basford United in order to pursue his university studies in Nottingham. He then rejoined AFC Rushden & Diamonds and was a key member of their squad last season Isa Rotimi (Midfield) Young midfielder who signed for the Crows at the beginning of season 2019/20, Isa previously spent two seasons at Colney Heath.

Nathan Tshikuna (Midfield) Featured a number of times for the Crows in pre-season and has impressed enough to join Steve Castle’s squad for the coming season. Nathan’sprevious clubs include Bedford Town, Kempston Rovers, Barton Rovers and AFC Rushden & Diamonds. Nathan scored an impressive 11 goals in 44 appearances for Rushden & Diamonds last season.

Matt Bateman (Forward) Re-joined us last season from Hemel Hempstead, where he spent a season after moving from the Crows. Matt signed for the Crows at the start of season 2019/20 and scored an impressive 24 goals in 41 games during that season to earn his move to Hemel. Previous to that Matt played a big part in Berkhamsted’s push for promotion in 2018/19 where he netted 43 times in 54 appearances for The Comrades.

Cole DaSilva (Defender) Recent acquisition, signed from Hemel Hempstead Town. 23-year-old defender joined the Tudors from Oxford City. Capped by Wales at under-15 level, for England at under-16s and then Wales again at under-17, 19, 20, and under-21 level. Bega at Luton Town’s academy before moving to Chelsea, making 2 appearances in the EFL Trophy in 2017.

He joined Brentford’s B team in 2018 and in 2020 spent time with Leicester City under23s. Signed for Croatian First League club HNK Sibenik in 2021, before joining the Oxford City at the end of the 2021/22 season.

Connor Furlong (Midfield) Joined earlier this year from AFC Rushden & Diamonds. Previous clubs include Biggleswade Town, Bedford Town, St Ives Town, Oxford City, Aylesbury United and MK Dons Andrew Osei-Bonsu (Midfield) 23-year-old joined MK Dons academy at the age of 8 and progressed through their age groups making his first-team debut in the EFL Cup at Newport County in August 2016.

Has had spells with Wealdstone, Dunstable Town, Larne (Northern Ireland), St Ives Town (twice), Billericay Town and East Fife Shomari Barnwell (Forward) Recent signing from Southern League Premier South side Hanwell Town. Sham is a towering 6′ 6″, 28-year-old striker who has previously played for Bowers & Pitsea, Dagenham & Redbridge, Bishops Stortford, Solihull Moors, Barking, Brentwood, Grays Athletic and Maldon & Tiptree.

TONIGHT'S OPPONENTS MICKLEOVER FC Club History Mickleover Sports F.C was founded in 1948 as Mickleover Old Boys playing in the Derby & District Senior League. For the next 44 years until their resignation in 1993, they were the longest serving club in the league.

In 1982 they, along with other members of the club, embarked on a campaign to develop their own football and cricket facilities on meadow land at the end of Station Road in Mickleover. During the next ten years dedicated club members led a serious fundraising drive, raising over £30,000 and work on the new ground began early in 1992, with the facilities formally being opened later that year.

Following development of the new facilities the ambitions of Mickleover Sports F.C. were increased and an application was made to join the Central Midlands Football League. This was successful and in 1993 Sports officially entered the non-league Pyramid. They drafted in an entire new management team led

by Tony Shaw which resulted in both teams finishing 6th in their respective divisions.

Season 1994/95 saw Sports gain promotion to the CMFL Supreme Division and reach the semi-final of the League Cup on the way. In 1996/97 Mark Kelsey took up the managerial reins and Sports finished a creditable 6th in the Supreme Division.

Meanwhile, off the field Mickleover were learning to manage the new facilities. There was some limited on-going expenditure in the railing off of the pitch, laying of slabs to provide hard standing and erection of a small stand, but with the general ground maintenance as well, there was little money for anything else. However in order to progress (or even retain their CMFL status) the club needed to erect floodlights. A concerted fund raising effort was made and in 1997, at a capital cost of over £30,000, our ambition was finally realised.

The next development was aimed at providing dedicated facilities for our junior football teams. With the help of a National Lottery grant it involved taking one of the adjacent fields, to turn into a junior pitch. In addition to this, we built new changing rooms, referee’s room, toilets and showers, put in sewerage and re-built car park.

Back on the pitch, season 1997/98 saw Sports gain a 3rd place finish in the CMFL Supreme Division and 12 months later further improvement saw them crowned as the 1998/99 CMFL Champions. This season also saw Sports first venture into the FA Vase, where they embarked on an exhilarating cup run.

After beating several teams from ‘higher’ leagues they were eliminated at the 3rd stage in controversial circumstances. Winning 3-0 at eventual finalists Bedlington Terriers and with only 14 minutes remaining, the home side’s floodlights suspiciously failed. After an FA enquiry Sports lost the replay 2-0.

So, the club was assured promotion to the Northern Counties East League and season 1999/2000 saw Sports playing for the first time at level 5. After challenging hard they finished in 4th place in Division One. They also reached the semi-final of the Derbyshire Senior Cup and for the 2nd year running they fell in the 3rd round of the FA Vase.

Mark Kelsey was replaced by ex Belper Town manager Martin Rowe who led Sports to the NCEL Division One Championship in his first season in charge. For good measure Sports also won the Division 1 Cup (Wilkinson Sword Trophy) and reached the final of the Derbyshire Senior Cup for the first time in their history. Once again they reached the 3rd round of the FA Vase, where they eventually lost by the odd goal in nine, after 240 minutes of football, to eventual semi-finalists Oadby Town.

So, Mickleover were once again in a position to move up the non-league pyramid to the NCEL Premier Division, we did however have to erect a 280 seat stand first.

After 3 seasons of ‘consolidation’ at their new level, season 2006/2007 was arguably Mickleover’s most successful season to date. Despite early exits from both the FA Cup and the FA Vase and the subsequent departure of manager Martin Rowe. New manager Dick Pratley led Sports to their highest ever position in non-league football, 7th place in the NCE Premier Division, and Sports also won NCEL League Cup along the way beating Garforth Town.

The following year was disappointing as for the first time in recent history, Sports finished lower than the previous season. However it was to be no less than a minor ‘blip’ as the following season Sports eventually won the league by 7 points.

TONIGHT'S OPPONENTS MICKLEOVER FC Club History contd.

The step up to Unibond level was significant and we were expecting a tough season. Unlike some other clubs, we will not jeopardise Sports future by paying players more than we can afford, but the development of several key U19 Academy players plus some astute signings by manager Dick Pratley, gave Sports confidence. Life in Unibond Division One South started well at Butt Hole Lane home of Shepshed Dynamo with 4-0 win. After 17 games Sports record was mid table W7 D4 L6. Then a record run of 16 consecutive wins catapulted Sports to the top of the table. Sports never looked back and won the league by 7pts. They went on to win the Chairman’s cup by beating FC Halifax Town at The Shay. Then lost the Peter Swales Trophy on penalties to Guiseley.

2010-11 was another step up for Sports into the Northern Premier League now sponsored by Evo Stik. The season did not start well with Sports gifting points to opposition. Their first win came away at local rivals Matlock Town with a tremendous display (also doing the double over them). But still Sports were gifting points especially the never to be forgotten 6-6 home draw against Nantwich Town. Sports were 6-3 up with 6 minutes to go. In the end Sports ended in 14th position and were safe with 4 games to go.

Sports started the 2014-15 season in positive mood, and but for good runs in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy would have topped the table almost from the start. Postponements to league games because of the cup competitions meant that they were always playing catch up, but even so they still managed to rise to pole position with games in hand. Their home record was excellent, and results on the road also impressive, so much so that they ended the season having scored in excess of 100 goals and the only disappointment was that the last day draw at home to Sheffield FC denied them the record of most points gained in an individual Evostik Division One South season.

2014-15 Sports also won the inagural EvoStik NPL Academy League.

Sports started 2015-16 well getting to 8th. But having an unsettled side with a lot of movements in and out saw them in the relegation spots. Sports had a disappointing season in the Cups and went out at the first time of asking in all competitions. Back in the League, Sports picked up with 11 games to go when forced to have a settled side due to the close of the Transfer window. Sports survived with a game to go, and that last game at already relegated Stamford joint managers Kirkwood and Hopkins resigned. Sports were quick in approaching Captain and Academy Manager John McGrath to take over. Sports also went on to win the EvoStik NPL Academy League again.

2016-17 Sports finished the season with most points they have gained in the NPL Premier division. Again early exits from the major FA Cup competitions was a disappointment. Sports blooded a lot of the their Academy players with Lewis Belgrave becoming the first NPL Academy player to Captain any 1st team. Again Sports won the Academy league again.

2017-18 Sports finished in their highest ever position – 12th as John Mcgrath continued to give Youth their chance to shine with 6 teenage debuts. One of these – Morgan Williams developed throughout the season and eventually was snapped up by Coventry City for a fee of £12000 plus add-ons. Sports competed well against all the top teams but were too inconsistent against lower placed teams and this, along with a poor disciplinary record, meant a play off position was out of reach.

The loss of top scorer Andy Dales to Scunthorpe United for a fee of £10,000 plus add-ons badly affected Sports 2018/19 season as their lack of goals meant a continual struggle throughout the season. They competed will against several of the top sides but only a good finish to the season and a last day win saw them survive the drop. An appearance in the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final at Pride Park was the highlight of the season and although they put in a good performance they lost out to Alfreton Town by 2-1.

2 shortened seasons followed and the long awaited return of football in 2021 also saw the club install a 3G playing surface and undertake significant stadium changes. A mixed season followed with Sports eventually finishing a respectable 12th before finding out we were to be laterally shifted to the Southern Football League for 2022/23.

WHO ARE YA? MICKLEOVER FC Player Pen Pics JONATHAN HEDGE GOALKEEPER D.O.B JULY 19TH 1988 Experienced goalkeeper and well renowned coach, he started his career as a Rotherham Junior. After moving onto Halifax and Ossett he tried his luck in Australia with Brisbane Roar and Mitchelton in 2007/08, before returning to Harrogate. Having alternated between Harrogate, Wakefield and Halifax over the next couple of years, he then joined Tamworth in July 2011 and added to his England C Caps.

Cambridge Utd was his next stop, before a loan at Southport and a move to Grimsby Town. A further loan at Matlock was followed by North Ferriby and Telford, before arriving at Gainsborough in May 2015. He spent just over a year at Gainsborough, before joining Sheffield FC after an 18 month lay-off and comes to Mickleover after a three year spell 66 appearances at Sheffield.

OLIVER BOSWORTH GOALKEEPER D.O.B JUNE 14TH 2002 Former England U18 goalkeeper, Oliver had been playing for Leicester City U18 and 21’s until his release in July last year. He was in Spain at the beginning of this season with CD Almunecar and was on trial with Mickleover, prior to making his first-team bow against Long Eaton Utd in the Derbyshire Senior Cup. PHIL WATT DEFENDER D.O.B JANUARY 10TH 1988 Phil started his football path with Rotherham Utd. He moved on to Lincoln City in 2004 and spent four years at Sincil Bank, where he made his first team debut in the 2007/8 season, and played again in an FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest. There had been a couple of loan spells at Grantham during his time at Lincoln, but for the next three years he was at Corby Town. After another loan spell at Grantham, he made it a permanent move, but after one-season moved on to Boston Utd. His next move was to Coalville Town where he scored two goals in his 12 games, before starting a long association with Belper Town. In three different spells he reached the 150 appearance milestone for the Nailers.

JAMES BUTLER DEFENDER D.O.B FEBRUARY 11TH 2000 A Stoke City Schoolboy and Academy player for nine years, James became a regular in the Potters U18 and U21 Premier League teams, a solid dependable centre back. But it was during a loan at Kidsgrove Athletic, that Butler impressed their opponents in an FA Cup tie and he was offered a work experience stay at Hartlepool. He spent two months in the North East, but didn’t manage to break into the first team squad and returned to Kidsgrove. Stoke City retained an option on him as he became a regular at the Grove, but during the summer of 2020 both he and teammate Alex Morris made the move to the Don Amott Arena.

His strength, dependability and old school style of no nonsense defending, soon made him a favourite at Mickleover. He has skippered the team on occasions and scored three goals last season.

JAKE BENNETT DEFENDER D.O.B FEBRUARY 22ND 1996 Jake started playing for his hometown club Telford AFC as a 15 year old, making two first team starts before going out on loan to Market Drayton. He was initially spotted by Mickleover management during a friendly match against Market Drayton, and with Sports pushing for promotion back to the Premier Division of the NPL, he was made an offer which he accepted to become a Sports player in December 2014. He became a first choice defender over his two year stay and began to receive offers of trials from League Clubs. He joined Sheffield Utd in 2016 and made his first team debut in the EFL Cup in 2017, plus other first appearances in some friendly matches. He was then due to go on loan to Chesterfield, but played against them in a friendly and collected a cruciate ligament injury, putting him out of action for 10 months.

A further thigh injury on his comeback meant he never played for Chesterfield, and following his release by Sheffield Utd in October 2019, he had a brief spell at Alfreton Town, before joining Coalville Town in December 2019. He opted to return to Mickleover during the summer, of 2020.

ELLIOTT WALKER DEFENDER D.O.B NOVEMBER 8TH 2001 A graduate of the Doncaster Rovers Academy, a speedy right back Elliott joined Northern Counties East Division One side Rossington Main following his release in 2020. After a successful trial with Northern Premier League Division One East team Stocksbridge Park Steels, he joined for the start of last season and continued to impress. He came to Mickleover in March 2021 and was a regular to the end of the season.

RHYS DOLAN DEFENDER D.O.B FEBRUARY 20TH 1998 Former Barnsley full back Dolan can play either attacking midfield or left back. He made his name as part of the successful Ilkeston Town U18 squad, that had a run in the FA Youth Cup. Barnsley spotted his talent and signed him in 2015, but since his release he's played at Long Eaton, Selston, Newark, Belper Town and Alfreton, and started last season at Anstey Nomads. His first Mickleover appearance was as a sub in the home draw against Grantham last December, before becoming a regular in the starting line-up.

CALLUM CHETTLE MIDFIELDER D.O.B AUGUST 28TH 1996 Callum started his youth career at Nottingham Forest, following in the footsteps of Father Steve. He moved onto Ilkeston Town and made his league debut at the age of 15, but after three years moved on to Nuneaton. His next stop was at Peterborough Utd, where he made 22 appearances for the League One side, before joining Alfreton, after a brief loan at Fylde. Further loans at Boston Utd and Matlock preceded a three year stay at Basford, re-united with manager and Father Steve. A strong running midfielder he was one of the close season signings for Mickleover and has also been capped at England C level.

GEORGE ATWAL MIDFIELDER D.O.B JANUARY 11TH 2004 George has come through the Mickleover Academy having signed up in 2020. Had trials at Leicester City and Derby County as a 12 year old and more recently with Stoke City. A versatile midfielder, he has become a set piece specialist, with free kicks and penalties. He was part of the 2020/21 Regional and National Academy title winning side and a regular goal scorer in the reserves too. After being part of the first team squad during pre-season, he made his NPL as a sub in the home win against Gainsborough last season and made his first start towards the end of last season.

LOUIS PENNINGTON MIDFIELDER D.O.B JANUARY 9TH 2004 Louis is Mickleover through and through having been through the U16’s before becoming part of the Academy that won the National and Regional title in 2020/21. A tenacious central midfielder he had already been on the bench for some pre-season games in 20/21 as well as having useful experience playing with the reserves too. But a serious knee injury right at the beginning of last season kept him out for the whole campaign. He is now fully fit again and playing to continue his progression through the squad.

MITCHELL ROSE MIDFIELDER D.O.B JULY 4TH 1994 Initially a Sheffield Wednesday Youth Team player, Mitchell went through the ranks at Rotherham, making five League Two appearances and being loaned to Stamford, Crawley and Ilkeston. A strong midfielder he went on to play for Mansfield, Newport County, Grimsby Town and Notts County in League Two making over 180 appearances, before joining Boston Utd in November 2020. After a year at Boston he joined Yeovil Town in late 2021, but soon moved on to South Shields, where he had been part of their promotion pushing squad since December 2021.

JAKE SCOTT MIDFIELDER Former Mickleover skipper Jake Scott has returned to the fold for the third time. Primarily a midfielder, Jake started his junior football with Barnsley, before moving onto to Worksop, Guiseley, Bradford Park Avenue and Gainsborough. Three years at Shaw Lane followed before making his first stop at Mickleover in 2015.

He became club captain and after a loan at Frickley, finally moved on in 2019. After a spell at Gainsborough, he came back to Mickleover at the end of last season and showed his talent at full back.

FIN BARKER FORWARD D.O.B JANUARY 28TH 2004 Having started his football journey at Aylestone Park Juniors, Fin came to the Mickleover junior ranks and was part of last seasons Regional and National Academy Championship winning team. He originally had thoughts of becoming a goalkeeper rather than a goalscorer, until a coach at Derby County’s Moor Farm suggested otherwise. But it was Aylestone coach Adam Hart that introduced him to the realisation of organised football and wanting to be part of it. He has been a regular in the Mickleover Reserve side over the last two years and was top scorer with over 30 goals and made his NPL league debut for Mickleover as a second half substitute against Matlock Town in October. He started this season on trial with Coventry City.

ELLIOTT REEVES FORWARD D.O.B. FEBRUARY 14TH 1997 A Derby born striker Elliott is another pre-season signing after two years at Alfreton Town, scoring seven goals in 34 games. He was previously at Margate for 2019/20 scoring 13 from 36 appearances and during an earlier stay at Ilkeston he netted 36 times. Prior to joining Ilkeston he had spells at Heanor Town and Graham Street Prims and scored on his Mickleover debut against Hanley Town.

KAI MOORE FORWARD D.O.B. OCTOBER 2ND 2003 A home grown talented striker who worked his way from Mickleover UI6’s into the 20/21 National and Regional Academy title winning squad. He had a few games in the reserves, but was offered the chance to join Carlton Town at the beginning of last season. During loans at Borrowash Victoria and West Bridgford, he began to prove his worth as a prolific goalscorer. 10 goals in his last five games at West Bridgford and he was offered the chance to rejoin Mickleover at the end of last season and is now as part of the first team squad, scoring his first senior goal at Bamber Bridge last March.

LEKAN OSIDEKO FORWARD D.O.B. NOVEMBER 23RD 1998 Lekan has joined us on a dual registration from Hereford Utd, who he joined at the beginning of this season, having impressed by scoring a hattrick in a pre-season game. He was previously at Chatham Utd and has also played for Phoenix Sports, Dulwich Hamlet and Haywards Heath.

JOE BATEMAN DEFENDER D.O.B DECEMBER 6TH 1998 A new signing at the start of last season, Joe impressed in a couple of pre-season friendlies in his familiar roles of centre back. A former Derby County player, he has come through the under 18 and under 23 ranks before being released at the end of last season. He made one start for the Rams first team in the FA Cup tie at Chorley last season. A strong dependable player, he can also play defensive midfield and became a key part of the team from the start of last season, before injuries restricted his participation towards the end of the campaign. Now fully fit again he could well be a kingpin of the side this season.

ETHAN MANN DEFENDER D.O.B. JANUARY 1ST 2004 Ethan joined the Derby County Academy at the age of seven and continued to play for the Rams up to the under 14’s. Having started out as a striker, he gradually moved back to midfield and now centre back having joined the Mickleover Under 14’s, following in his Father’s footsteps. He gradually progressed through the age ranks into the Academy League last year and became part of the first team squad at the beginning of last season. He had his first league start towards the end of last season after being a regular on the subs bench, as well as playing a leading part in the reserves side. During pre-season he has started at centre wing back and had looked equally at home in both positions. He sets high standards for himself both on and off the field and is keen to achieve his goal.

LUCAS YEOMANS DEFENDER D.O.B. JANUARY 28TH 2004 Burton born Lucas is a talented young right back, having joined for a month from our SPL Central rivals Tamworth. He was part of Derby County’s Academy before joining Tamworth in August 2020, making his first team in the FA Trophy at the age of 16.

RYAN WILSON DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER D.O.B. MARCH 4TH, 1993 Son of former Rams player Kevin, Ryan is a left back or midfielder who started at Ilkeston Town. Having moved onto Gateshead for a year, he then returned to the Midlands for a two-year spell at Alfreton Town.

After moving to Coalville for a season, he had a spell at Matlock before joining Telford in 2017. He then had a year out before signing for Basford, from where Mickleover brought him in at the start of this season.

ANDY DALES MIDFIELDER D.O.B NOVEMBER 13TH 1994 It was more of a return home for Andy since rejoining Mickleover just before the start of last season. Derby born he spent 10 years at Derby County and was a first year pro in 2013. He was released in 2014 and was unable to take up offers of trials due to injury, which brought him to Mickleover for the first time. The pacey winger had four years at the Don Amott Arena and was part of the team that won promotion back to the NPL Premier Division, his first senior medal. In 2017/18 he scored 23 goals and was signed by Scunthorpe United after being spotted at the Jamie Vardy Academy. During his three years there he made 33 appearances and scored one goal, but also had long loan spells in the Scottish Premiership with Dundee and Hamilton Academicals. After a short spell at Altrincham, he was released and returned to Mickleover, hitting two goals on his home debut against Gainsborough last August MASON WARREN MIDFIELDER D.O.B MARCH 28TH 1997 Born in Doncaster, Mason came through the ranks at Rotherham Utd, signing professional in May 2015 and spent three years with them. He had a number of loan spells during his time at Rotherham, including Sheffield, Harrogate Town, Grantham, Matlock, Boston Utd, North Ferriby and Gainsborough Trinity and made one start for the Rotherham first team in the EFL Cup in 2016. He was released at the end of the 2017/18 from where he joined the Mickleover squad, debuting against Gainsborough in August in 2018.

A strong playmaking midfielder, but Mason can also play in defence and assist in the attack, becoming a regular goalscorer and fans favourite. He was captain of the side that finished top of the aborted NPL two years ago scored four goals last season. He is also the clubs regular penalty taker and deadball expert.

BEN HORLESTON MIDFIELDER D.O.B OCTOBER 3RD 2004 Ben is a young midfielder who only came to Mickleover last September. He soon established himself as part of the reserves team and played the majority of the late season games in their successful league campaign. He has also played at Port Vale and Mickleover RBL and after impressing in some pre-season games with the first-team, he was surprised himself to be part of the squad for this season. He feels the quality of coaching he has around him has been responsible for his rapid progress. He was on the bench for the opening match at Kings Langley and looks forward to a league debut.

OLIVER GREAVES MIDFIELDER D.O.B NOVEMBER 2ND 1999 An attacking midfielder Oliver has signed until the end of the season having arrived from NPL side Liversedge. He started out at Sheffield Utd and after a loan at Barrow, moved to Dover Athletic in January 2021. He quickly moved on to Matlock and Gainsborough, before going to Spain in January of this year with Almunecar. On his return to the UK he joined Buxton for the start of the season, but soon moved on to Liversedge. He made his debut in the win at Barwell.

STUART BEAVON FORWARD D.O.B MAY 5TH 1984 Stuart Beavon is one of Mickleover’s most experienced players, following in the footsteps of his Father Stuart and Grandfather Cyril. His career started for in the Hellenic League with Ardley United, before swiftly moving on to Combined Counties side Wallingford. He scored 13 goals in 36 games between those clubs, before being snapped up by Didcot Town. Despite stepping up to the Southern League South & West Division, he quickly found his goalscoring touch and had two seasons with the club. He played 139 games and scored an amazing 107 goals and was a winner in the 2004/5 FA Vase too. His next step was to the Conference with Weymouth, spending three seasons on the South Coast, and adding 27 more goals to his tally from 90 appearances. For 2008/09 he had his first spell in the Football League with League 2 Wycombe Wanderers. He scored on his debut and his initial loan became permanent. He was a prolific scorer again but the team were promoted and relegated twice during his stay. After 125 games and 34 goals he moved to Preston North End in League 1 again. There was debut goal again and having settled at Deepdale he stayed for two years, before an initial loan at Burton Albion became permanent for the 2014/15 season. He gained promotion again with the Brewers to League 1, but part way into his third season he left in January 2017 with 15 goals and 102 games under his belt, destined for Coventry City. A strange end of season saw the Sky Blues win the EFL Trophy, but were also relegated to League 2. Although he was a Coventry player for the next two seasons, his final one was spent on a years loan at Wrexham.

Early into the 2019/20 season he joined Nuneaton, but it was when he began his current connection at Mickleover that he regained his scoring touch, with a goal scoring debut at Atherton Collieries in September and scoring 10 before the season was curtailed. He was been a regular scorer and hit the net on 10 occasions last season, including a hattrick in the 4-1 home win against Radcliffe.

MARCUS MARSHALL FORWARD D.O.B. OCTOBER 7TH 1989 Marcus is another new signing arriving from Telford. A winger or striker, he has a vast amount of experience, which started as part of the Blackburn Rovers Academy and made one first team appearance.

Following his release he had a couple of years at Rotherham, which included a loan at Macclesfield, before moving on to Bury and a loan spell at Grimsby. His movements then took him via Morecambe, back to Grimsby and then Boston Utd in 2016. After a year at Alfreton he joined Matlock in 2018 for a two-year spell, before joining Basford. He returned to Matlock at the beginning of this year and completed his season with Telford. He has made over 100 appearances in the football league, scoring four goals.

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