MFL Weekly Round Up (Premier and Division One)

Premier Division

OJM Black Country

OJM have announced their management team in preparation for life at step five next season. The management team of Adam Younis, Marco Adaggio and Steven Leslie have committed for another season and there’s a new addition to the coaching staff with Ryan Pratt joining as a goalkeeping coach.

​It’s brilliant news for OJM and gives them a good chance of success in the MFL Premier.  

​Key players from last season’s promotion winning side have stayed on for another season including goalkeeper Tom Clapp, captain Callum Nimmo and attacking player Kofi Williams who were integral to the club’s success in MFL Division One throughout 23/24.

​There’s also a new addition to the squad with the signing of experienced player Brian Smikle coming in to provide some leadership and know how at step five.

It's really encouraging news from OJM, and the pro-active nature of the announcements is promising for the 24/25 season. The main aim will be to stay up and establish themselves in the MFL Premier which is more than achievable.   

Wolverhampton Casuals

Wolverhampton Casuals have announced Chris Hipkin as their new manager for the 24/25 season in the MFL Premier. The timing of the announcement will give the Cassies a good amount of time to prepare for the upcoming season with the aim of bringing in players over the summer.

Their main aim will be to stay up in the MFL Premier for the 24/25 season and finish in mid table. The Cassies have managed to finish above the relegation places over the last three seasons at step five.

It will be interesting to see if the club can push on next season and move into a more comfortable mid table position.     

​Division One

Coton Green

Coton Green have been busy signing players over the last week in preparation for next season in MFL (Division One). It’s been an encouraging few weeks for the Green Army with manager Nic Oakley committing for another season and a good portion of last season’s squad staying on board.

They made an eye catching signing this week by bringing in promotion winner Tom Weale who was a key part of Hinckley AFC’s title campaign last season. He scored 15 goals last season for the Leicester side at step six and will provide Coton Green with experience and know how throughout 24/25.

Josh Wykes has also joined the squad from Lichfield City over the last few days which is a positive.

Another big signing is prolific forward Matt Gardner committing for next season who has been excellent in front of goal at step six. He has 41 goals for the Green Army over the last two seasons in MFL Division One and is a key player for the club.

It feels like a club going in the right direction heading into next season at step six.    

Lutterworth Athletic

Lutterworth have appointed Ben Steane as their new manager in preparation for the 24/25 season in MFL Division One.

​The Leicester club were transferred from division one of the United Counties Leagues last month and it will be interesting to see how they get on next season.

They had a notable run in the FA Vase last season which might have caught the eye of MFL followers.

It was an incredible run for a step six side and included notable wins against step five sides Skegness Town and Ardley United before bowing out to Whitchurch Alport on penalties in the second round proper.

Nuneaton Town

Nuneaton Town have been busy signing players over the last week in preparation for life in step six. The club have announced the signings of goalkeeper Joe Gilbert, defender Callum Gillies and forward Joshua Whitehouse to boost their squad going into next season.

It’s encouraging news for Nuneaton supporters and a sign of ambition following the eye-catching signing of experienced defender Liam Daly last week.

Joe Gilbert was part of the promotion winning squad with Dudley Town back in the 22/23 season that won the MFL (Division One) title. Having that experience and leadership in the squad is going to be huge going into the 24/25 season.

Callum Gillies impressed for Tividale last season in the MFL Premier and went on to make 31 starts at step five level as a full back.

Josh Whitehouse was part of Nuneaton Borough’s academy that enjoyed a lot of success at youth level.  

They also signed Cody Mullen this week who recently played for Tividale last season and offers valuable experience in midfield at this level.

Based on the signings made over the last month there’s a good blend of experienced players that have been there and done it alongside players that are up and coming which is a good sign for the Warwickshire club.     

Round up feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League