Premier Division

1874 Northwich

It’s been a busy week for 1874 Northwich with a host of players staying or leaving the club as the Greens prepare to go again for 25/26.

Goalkeeper Jack Atkinson is staying on for the upcoming season who played a key role in 1874’s success last time out. He made eight starts in all competitions throughout the 24/25 season and notably made some impressive saves in their win against Atherstone Town in the play off semi-final.

It feels like a big move by 1874 with Michael Shorthouse leaving the club earlier in the week to join fellow MFL side Hanley Town. He was an ever present for 1874 last season with 35 starts in all competitions.

There could be a changing of the guard in goal with Jack Atkinson getting more game time as the number one this season.

The Cheshire side also saw another key departure this week with defender Matty Fenton leaving to join NPL side Leek Town higher up the pyramid. He impressed at centre back last season with 42 starts in all competitions for the Greens on their way to the play off final.

1874 have kept hold of midfielder John McGrath and wing-back Liam Fitzpatrick who both played well and showed potential for the Greens throughout 24/25.    

Coton Green

Coton Green have been making some encouraging moves for their debut season at step five over the last few weeks.  

A lot of key players from last season’s promotion winning squad have stayed on board for their premier division campaign.

Oli Roome, Cameron Lee, Dean Morris, Lewis Landers, Matt Hunt, Tom Hurdman, Jay Henry, Corey Powell, Tom Weale and more have been retained for the 25/26 season.

It feels positive and proactive from the Tamworth side who have also added notable players who impressed in step six last time out. An eye-catching addition was Harry Higginson joining the squad who stepped up at centre back for the likes of Gornal and Cradley in 24/25.

Another notable addition to the squad is full back Jake Wilkes who impressed for Smethwick Rangers with a combined 52 starts over the last two years. Tom Kinsey joining from division two side Hampton is another intriguing signing for Coton and boosts their options in midfield.      

The Green Army have really built some momentum under manager Nic Oakley who joined in the middle of the 23/24 season. They clinched promotion from division one thanks to a dramatic penalty shootout win against Leicester St Andrews in the play off final back in May.

They look in a good place to be competitive at step five and cause a few upsets across the season.

Romulus

Romulus are building for the upcoming season with continuity being a big theme of their off season so far.

The Roms have announced the management team of Joe Ballinger and George Evans will be staying on board for the upcoming season.  

It feels like the club are looking to build on the positives of last season’s 13th place finish. They went a bit under the radar last season but finished the campaign strongly with four wins from their last six matches.  

It will be interesting to see how they get on this season with a proper pre-season programme available for the current management team to prepare for 25/26.

​Joe Ballinger and George Evans were appointed in the middle of last season and did relatively well at step five to guide Romulus to a comfortable mid table finish.

A lot of last season’s squad have committed for the upcoming season which can only be a positive for Romulus who can carry on the culture and momentum they built at the back end of last season.

The top four players with the most starts for Romulus last season have been retained with Jordan Francis, Lewis Gwilliams, Joe Clarke and Reece Nunn making a combined 124 starts across 24/25 for the Roms.

There’s also further experience up front with striker Dom Dell committing for the new season who has a distinguished goalscoring record at step five for the likes of Darlaston and Tividale in the MFL premier over the last few years.

Romulus have gone slightly under the radar over the last few years but could be a dark horse to challenge for the play offs if it all clicks on and off the pitch.

There’s a lot of leadership and experience in the squad which could help them this season.    

Uttoxeter Town

Uttoxeter have been making some positives moves ahead of the new season in the MFL Premier.

The Staffordshire side have been a reliable presence at step five over the last few seasons with comfortable mid table finishes of 12th (23/24) and 15th (24/25) under manager Phil Adams.

Similar to Romulus, they can go a bit under the radar in the premier division but are making some interesting signings.

The Town have signed goalkeeper Charlie Wood back to the club who impressed throughout 23/24 as the number one with 33 starts in all competitions.

The club have also retained key players from the last couple of seasons with midfielder Mikey Conlon staying on board for the upcoming campaign. He’s got that quality on the ball to open teams up and find some space from attacking midfield.  

Another key retention for Uttoxeter is Lewis Dawson who emerged as a real attacking threat for them last time out with 18 goals from 29 starts in all competitions.

Uttoxeter could surprise a few teams this season in the MFL premier and could be a side to watch out for if they can build some early season form.

Round up written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League 

Premier Division

Abbey Hulton United

Abbey Hulton have made a big signing ahead of their upcoming season in the MFL Premier. The Abbey have retained prolific striker Kieran Brown for the 25/26 season following promotion from the North West Counties League (First Division South).

​The Stoke side are looking to build at step five and keeping hold of Kieran Brown feels encouraging for the new season. He’s been clinical in front of goal with 34 goals scored in all competitions from 43 starts last season at step six.

He was consistent throughout the season and scored in the big moments to guide them to promotion. This includes scoring in the play off final against Stafford Town and in the third round of the FA vase against Droitwich Spa.

​A key part of their success at step six was their home form with ten wins and two draws from seventeen matches on their way to finishing as division runners up last time out.

If they can make Drayton Beaumont Park a fortress and continue their end of season form, they could cause a few shocks at step five similar to Brocton.               

Northwich Victoria

The Vics have been making some moves ahead of the new season in the MFL. They have added Hayden Moore to their first team coaching staff as chief scout to help with player recruitment.

They have also added experience to their squad by signing former Port Vale and Fleetwood Town defender Joe Davis.

It’s still early in the summer so to see Northwich Victoria making proactive moves and getting players in feels promising for the upcoming season.

The management team of Lee Duckworth and Luke Goddard will be looking to build on the positives of last season and push on from an 11th place finish in the premier division last time out.

They also signed experienced striker Sean Cooke last month to boost their attacking options up front.       

Division One

Birstall United

Birstall have unveiled their new club badge going into the 25/26 season. The new design emphasises the link up between the senior and junior sections of the club and references their founding years of 1961 (Senior) and 1976 (Junior).

It’s an eye-catching new design from the current Leicester VEO senior cup winners.

They are looking to build on the positives of last season under manager Paul Pallett which included beating Heather St John’s on penalties at Holmes Park to win the Leicester senior cup.

The former UCL side will be looking to build on last season’s 14th place finish in division one.

They start their pre-season schedule with an early home match against Leicester Nirvana on the 28th of June.

Heather St John’s

It’s been a busy week for the Saints with key players from last season leaving and re-signing in the build up to the new season.

The main storyline is prolific goal scorer Kyle Jardine leaving the club to join UCL Premier Division South side Nuneaton Town at step five. He’s been brilliant for Heather with 82 goals scored in all competitions over the last two seasons at step six.

On a positive for Heather, key players such as Nathan McGarrity and Haydn Brown have stayed for the upcoming season. They both shined for the Saints on their way to finishing 2nd last time out and scored 37 goals between them.

​Knowle

Knowle have made some encouraging moves in preparation for their season in division one.

The Robins have bought in former Racing Club Warwick player Josh Parsons to boost their attacking options up front and provide experience to the squad.

The Solihull side have also signed experienced midfielder Connor Mort to provide some leadership to the squad ahead of their first season at step six in almost 15 years.

Both players have been there and done it at higher levels of the non-league pyramid and feel like big signings for Knowle to instil that know how going into division one.

One of the biggest challenges going into step six football is the number of games involved with round about fifteen more games across the season. Having Josh Parsons and Connor Mort in the squad should help them rise to the challenge of division one football.   

OJM Black Country

OJM are prepared to go again in division one following relegation from the premier division due to ground issues. The club have made some encouraging moves over the last few days with key players from the promotion winning squad of 23/24 staying on board for next season.

The likes of Callum Nimmo, Adam Keough, Steven Leslie and Reece Morris have stayed with the club for the upcoming season.

One of the more eye-catching signings is striker Matt Gardner joining to boost their attacking options up front. He’s got a brilliant record at step six with 45 goals scored over the last three seasons for Coton Green.

It looks like a squad that can challenge near the top of the league under manager Adam Younis and could be a force if they can build some momentum early on.      

Round up written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League