MFL Weekly Round Up (Premier and Division Two)

Premier Division

Shifnal Town

Shifnal have continued their recruitment drive by bringing in promising defender George Taylor who impressed for step six side Shawbury United last season. He was part of the team that won the TJ Vickers Cup final at the New Bucks Head against Shifnal back in May. It’s a good signing for the Shropshire side and gives them strength in depth at the back.  

Studley

Studley have been signing and retaining players in preparation for the 24/25 season in the MFL Premier. The Bees were close to making the play offs last season and just fell short to Highgate United, finishing the campaign in 6th.

They have made some positives moves over the last month and are looking to push for the play offs at step five. One of the big signings was bringing in Jamie Spiers who impressed at Atherstone Town last season and helped them to a top half finish. He started 16 matches for the Adders and went on to score five goals for the Warwickshire club.

They have recently signed defender Dexter Dudley-Toole to the squad to provide some quality at the back. He’s got valuable experience competing in step five and has featured for the likes of Bewdley Town and AFC Wulfrunians over the last two seasons in the MFL Premier. He’s started a total of 36 games at this level in the MFL since the beginning of 22/23 and looks a good signing.

Harry Eden has also committed to next season which is a huge boost for the Bees. He was a key player for them last season in the MFL Premier at left back and went on to make 30 appearances in all competitions.

John Mills has also committed to Studley for the 24/25 season and was an ever present for the Bees last season. He went on to make 36 appearances and scored eight goals in helping them challenge for the play offs. It’s brilliant news for the Bees and he’s got experience higher up the pyramid such as featuring for Sutton Coldfield Town in the NPL.     

There’s been a few departures up front with Zac Guinan joining step four side Worcester City and Romario Martin joining Nuneaton Town in MFL (Division One) who both scored a combined total of 28 goals for the Bees last season.

It’s been a busy week for the Warwickshire side but there making some encouraging moves to compete in the MFL Premier this season and challenge for the play offs.    

Division Two

Northfield Town

Northfield have announced their new management team in preparation for their upcoming season in MFL Division Two. Ryan Smith has come in as their new manager and will be joined by Harris Jackson and Sam Smith as part of the backroom staff. 

It’s going to be interesting to see how Northfield get on this season in division two following promotion from division three at the end of last season. To finish in 2nd was an incredible achievement by the previous management team of Chris Fox and Lee Horton at step eight. It involved a tight promotion race with the likes of Feckenham and AFC Birmingham that went to the final few matches of the season.

Division Two looks competitive going into this season with a lot of quality teams such as AFC Coventry Rangers and Knowle looking to challenge. A top half finish would be a good achievement for Northfield and gives them a platform to establish themselves at step seven.   

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