MFL Weekly Round Up (Premier and Division One)

​Premier Division

1874 Northwich

1874 Northwich have been busy signing players for their upcoming season in the MFL Premier. The Cheshire club are looking to bounce back from a challenging season in 23/24 which resulted in relegation from step four and have made some encouraging moves in terms of signings.

They welcomed back their record goal scorer Scott McGowan over the last week to provide some experience and leadership up front. His record for the Greens has been excellent down the years with 139 goals in 214 appearances. It’s a good signing and gives them some momentum going into this season.     

​Another huge signing over the last week was bringing in central defender Tom Morris who has valuable experience at step five and higher up the pyramid through playing in the NPL.

It’s a brilliant signing for 1874 and there bringing in someone who has the know how to excel at this level.

Other signings include Morecambe academy graduate Jack McKean to provide something different from attacking midfield. They have also signed vastly experienced midfielder Chris McCann who played for the Greens last season. Full back Liam Fitzpatrick has also joined from Sandbach United over the last few days who impressed in the NWCL First Division South in 23/24.

Overall, it’s looking good for 1874 Northwich under manager Chris Herbert to make a push for promotion this season.   
  
Atherstone Town

The Adders have made a statement signing with the addition of prolific striker Ryan Harkin.

He’s been excellent in the MFL Premier with 67 goals for Highgate United over the last two seasons.

It’s a boost for Atherstone Town and a statement of intent to challenge for the play offs going into 24/25.  

​Lichfield City

It’s been a busy week for Lichfield City who have been recruiting and retaining players for the new season. The Staffordshire side have made some big additions to the squad over the last few days with the signings of James Wilcock and Jack Arnold.

They have also kept hold of key players from last season’s play off run such as goalkeeper James Beeson, defenders Joe Haines and Jamie Elkes and midfielders Daniel Lomas and Jordan Clement who were integral to their success last season. Resigning attacking players such as Jude Taylor, Luke Childs and Jack Edwards is also a boost for Lichfield going into the 24/25 season.

James Wilcock is an excellent signing for Lichfield and is a reliable replacement for Lewi Burnside at right back who left to join Chasetown a few weeks back. He impressed for Highgate United last season in their play off run and made a total of 73 starts for the Gate over the last two seasons.

Jack Arnold had an excellent campaign in MFL Division one throughout 23/24 with a total of 23 goals for Cradley Town and Wolves Sporting. He’s got that quality on the ball and should suit Lichfield’s style of play.

​Dominic Lewis left the club to join step three side Stourbridge last weekend to play under new manager Liam McDonald. He was excellent for Lichfield last season from midfield in their play-off campaign. None the less, it shows that Lichfield have a good record of developing players at step five and seeing them progress up the pyramid.  

Shifnal Town

Last season’s top scorer and captain Joe Ellis Cuff has committed for next season for the Shropshire side. It’s huge news and gives them some momentum to build on the positives of last season and make a push for the play offs.

He was a key player for Shifnal last season with 27 goals from 37 starts and helped them to a top half finish in the MFL Premier.

​Over the last two seasons he’s scored 49 goals across steps five and six and was previously with Shawbury United before joining Shifnal last season.                

Tividale

Tividale have announced their new management team for the upcoming season with Phil Rann appointed as their first team manager who will be joined by Chris Perry and Simon Worton as part of the coaching staff. Steven Cowdell has also joined the backroom staff at Tividale over the last few days.

It’s positive news for Tividale who will be looking to bounce back from a challenging season last time out where they finished in 17th.

It will be interesting to see what players they bring in over the next month and how many players from last season’s squad stay at the club.

They could be one of the teams to watch in terms of recruitment with a new manager coming in.  

​Division One

Cradley Town

The Hammers have made a big signing by bringing in forward Jack Till who has valuable experience playing in the MFL Premier. He played for the likes of Tividale and Highgate United last season and impressed in spells for both clubs at step five. It’s an encouraging signing for Cradley Town who also bought in Lee Chilton a few weeks back to boost the squad.

Heather St John’s

The Saints have made an eye-catching signing by bringing in prolific forward Nathan McGarrity to the Leicester side. It’s an excellent signing and brings valuable experience to the squad having played at steps five and six last season for the likes of Atherstone Town and Nuneaton Griff. He was clinical in front of goal throughout 23/24 with 19 goals from 33 starts.

​Nathan McGarrity and Kyle Jardine are excellent at this level and should cause teams problems next season. It’s a statement of intent from the Saints who will be hoping for a play-off push throughout 24/25.       

Leicester St Andrews

The Drews have been making some big signings over the last few days in preparation for life in MFL Division One. They will be looking to build on last season’s 11th place finish in UCL (Division One) and have bought in players to boost the squad.

They made an eye-catching signing yesterday by bringing in prolific forward Josh Crossley who has been excellent at step six over the last few seasons. He played a key role for fellow Leicester side Birstall United and scored 52 goals from 78 appearances. It’s an excellent signing by Leicester St Andrews and a statement of intent going into the 24/25 season.     

Wednesfield

Wednesfield have appointed Sean Geddes as their new manager for the upcoming season in MFL Division One. It’s an interesting appointment with Wednesfield giving managers time to develop and grow into the role as seen with John Griffiths who left to join AFC Wulfrunians last month.

He’s got a bit of experience managing in MFL Division One through his time at Cradley Town a few years ago which should serve him in good stead for this job.   

Similar to Tividale, Wednesfield are a bit of an unknown going into this season and are difficult to predict.

Recruitment is going to be huge over the next month and if it all goes to plan, they could be a dark horse for the play offs.  

It’s going to be a competitive division next season with the introduction of Nuneaton Town and the likes of Coton Green and Heather St John’s making some statement signings.     

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