|
2010/11 Squad Profiles
Comprised By Andrew Simpson, Northwich Guardian
GOALKEEPERS
James SPENCER
Date of birth April 11, 1985 in Stockport
Age 25
Signed August 2009 from Rochdale
Former clubs Chester City (loan), Stockport County
Profile ANDY Preece’s pick for number one between the posts this season after playing second fiddle to Curtis Aspden for most of last, his debut term at the Victoria Stadium.
The former Stockport County junior made 14 starts in league and cup after ending an unhappy spell at League Two club Rochdale.
He left Spotland in the summer, bringing to an end a stay ruined by a double hernia and a stress fracture to the hip suffered in April 2008.
Before that the tall shot-stopper had spent six years with home town team Stockport, making almost 100 first team appearances after making his debut as a 16-year-old back in 2002.
DEFENDERS
Matthew BROWN
Date of birth March 15, 1990
Age 20
Signed August 2010 [was unattached]
Previous clubs Manchester City, Tranmere Rovers
Profile DOMINANT central defender released by Manchester City, who he had joined from Tranmere Rovers, in July 2009.
Had a trial at Crewe Alexandra and Accrington Stanley this summer before impressing manager Andy Preece in his summer pre-season outings for Northwich.
John DISNEY
Date of birth May 15, 1992 in Newquay
Age 18
Signed August 2010 from Stockport County
Previous clubs Macclesfield Town
Profile REPUBLIC of Ireland youth international – up to U18s level – full back who switched to the Victoria Stadium this summer following his release by Stockport County.
Had been a regular in the Hatters’ Centre of Excellence after leaving Macclesfield Town, but did not make a first team appearance at Edgeley Park.
Craig FLOWERS
Date of birth September 23, 1988 in Burnage
Age 21
Signed August 2010 from Northwich Villa
Previous clubs Stockport County, Salford City, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers
Profile VERSATILE defender promoted to Andy Preece’s first team squad from Vics’ Cheshire League feeder team Northwich Villa.
Was offered professional terms at Stockport County in August 2007 after beating off competition from more than 150 hopefuls in talent contest Just Search for a County Star, but left Edgeley Park the following summer.
Before that he played for then North West Counties League outfit Salford City.
Ben JACKSON
Date of birth November 15, 1990 in Southport
Age 19
Signed August 2010 from Morecambe
Previous clubs Rossendale United (loan)
Profile FULL back released by League Two club Morecambe in May 2010.
Jackson had progressed through the youth and reserve teams at the Lancashire club to earn a professional contract in the summer of 2009.
Was included among the match day squad for a Carling Cup tie at Preston North End soon afterwards, but left the Shrimps without making a first team appearance.
Spent a spell on loan at then Northern Premier League Division One North club Rossendale United last season.
Keil O’BRIEN
Date of birth June 29, 1992 in Manchester
Age 18
Signed July 2010 [was unattached]
Previous clubs Glossop North End, Manchester United
Profile A PROMISING central defender, O’Brien trained with Northwich at the end of last season only for a transfer embargo to prevent him making a first team appearance.
The former Manchester United junior had spent part of the campaign at Vodkat North West Counties League Premier Division promotion hopefuls Glossop North End before that.
MIDFIELDERS
George CLEGG
Date of birth November 16, 1980 in Manchester
Age 29
Signed August 2010 from Hinckley United
Previous Clubs Worcester City, Northwich Victoria, Bury, Wycombe Wanderers, Royal Antwerp (loan), Manchester United
Profile RETURNS for a second spell at Northwich following a brief stay under Steve Burr in the 2004-2005 season in the Football Conference’s top tier.
A left-footed central midfielder, Clegg spent time in the Football League with Wycombe Wanderers on loan and then Bury after leaving Manchester United in 2001 without making a first team appearance.
Played for Andy Preece and Andy Morrison at Conference North club Worcester City after leaving Vics, making more than 130 appearances in a three-year spell.
Joined Hinckley United following City’s switch to Blue Square South, but was prevented from spending much time on the pitch by an Achilles injury.
Took time out from football to go to university before returning to the game this summer.
Michael CONNOR
Date of birth September 10, 1989 in Manchester
Age 20
Signed July 2008 from Woodley
Previous clubs Salford City, Mossley, Manchester City
Profile EXPECTED to be the main man in the middle for Northwich this season after an impressive breakthrough term in Blue Square Bet North.
His lung-bursting runs from the centre of the field, plus an eye for goal, has established him as a firm favourite with both fans and management alike.
The ex-Manchester City junior made a brief stop at Northern Premier League Mossley following his exit from the Premier League giants before finding his way to Woodley where he played under Vics’ owner Jim Rushe.
Jonathan CRANE
Date of birth October 31, 1991
Age 18
Signed August 2010 from Wigan Athletic
Previous clubs none
Profile SKILFUL midfield man Crane left Premier League club Wigan Athletic this summer after completing a two-year scholarship with the Lancashire outfit.
Had a trial at Blue Square Bet Premier newcomers Southport before impressing Vics’ manager Andy Preece enough to earn a contract.
Featured as a full back for the Latics’ reserves, but early evidence is that his best work in green and white will be done in the opposition’s half.
Paul HENRY
Date of birth January 28, 1988 in Liverpool
Age 22
Signed August 2010 from Witton Albion
Previous clubs TNS (loan), Tranmere Rovers
Profile TOUGH tackling central midfield player who was captain at Vics’ neighbours Witton Albion in the UniBond League’s Division One South last season.
Made 40 starts, scoring once, for Gary Finley’s men.
Arrived at Wincham Park following his release from Football League club Tranmere Rovers the previous summer.
Spent three seasons with the Birkenhead outfit, completing his time there as reserve team captain and making a handful of appearances in the first team.
Played seven times on loan for League of Wales giants TNS in 2008.
Wayne RILEY
Date of birth September 26, 1989 in Macclesfield
Age 20
Signed October 2008 [was unattached]
Previous clubs none
Profile MIDFIELDER Riley’s place in Vics’ history is already assured after he scored the goal that knockout out Charlton Athletic from the FA Cup in front of the television cameras last November.
His star has continued to rise since, meaning like Michael Connor he will be expected to be a leader on the field this season.
Deadly from set pieces, Riley’s goals contribution will be key to Vics’ push for promotion back to the Football Conference at the first attempt.
He is a home-grown player who came through Mid-Cheshire College’s representative team, a group coached by former Vics regular Jon McCarthy.
Kingsley WILLIAMS
Date of birth August 10, 1992 in Bolton
Age 18
Signed July 2010 from Sheffield United
Previous clubs Oldham Athletic
Profile DIMINUTIVE midfielder who combines workrate with no little skill in possession.
Williams earned a deal at the Victoria Stadium after impressing in Vics’ summer friendlies following his release after two seasons at Championship club Sheffield United.
A regular in the Bramhall Lane outfit’s reserves after catching the eye of then Blades boss Kevin Blackwell at a tournament in Spain in June 2008.
Before that he had been on Oldham Athletic’s books.
FORWARDS
Kwame BARNETT
Date of birth November 19, 1983
Age 26
Signed August 2010 from Northwich Villa
Previous clubs Bangor City, Altrincham, Fletcher Moss Rangers
Profile A REGULAR goalscorer for Vics’ feeder club Northwich Villa in the Cheshire League’s top tier, former Altrincham reserve team forward Barnett hopes to make the step up this term.
A strong, muscular forward with a powerful shot, he had a spell in the Welsh Premier League with Bangor City before coming back across the border.
Andrew FOWLER
Date of birth September 1, 1986 in Liverpool
Age 23
Signed August 2010 [was unattached]
Previous clubs Bootle, Everton
Profile EX-Everton trainee who left Vodkat North West Counties League Premier Division club Bootle after four years in April 2010.
Described by former manager Chris O’Brien as a ‘shot like David Haye’s right hook’, Fowler scored 19 times in league and cup last season, following on from a 24-goal haul during the previous term.
John McALISKEY
Date of birth September 2, 1984 in Huddersfield
Age 25
Signed July 2010 from Altrincham
Previous clubs Witton Albion, Salford City, Mansfield Town, Wrexham (loan), Torquay United (loan), Huddersfield Town
Profile TARGET man John McAliskey is the man tasked with leading the line for Andy Preece’s new-look attack following the departure of last season’s front pair Jonny Allan and Mark Danks.
Signed for Northwich in July after an unsuccessful trial at League One Tranmere Rovers following his exit from Vics’ neighbours Altrincham at the end of last season.
He appeared for Witton Albion and Salford City in the same campaign too.
Huddersfield born, McAliskey signed for his hometown club in 2003 and made more than 40 first team appearances in the Football League.
Loan cameos at Torquay United and Wrexham preceded a permanent move to Mansfield Town three years ago.
Oliver RYAN
Date of birth September 26, 1985 in Lincoln
Age 24
Signed August 2010 from Harrogate Town
Previous clubs Belper Town (loan), Boston United, Bourne Town, Hucknall Town, Ilkeston Town (loan), Lincoln City
Profile LINCOLN-born forward who scored more than 100 goals for his hometown club’s reserves team in four seasons.
However, struggled to break into the first team and left after making just 30-plus appearances.
An unhappy term between Hucknall Town and Bourne Town followed before he switched to Boston United in the summer of 2008, scoring 22 goals in the Northern Premier League’s top tier.
Turned down a new deal to sign for higher-ranked Harrogate Town, where he again struggled to become a regular.
Ended last term with a loan stint at Belper Town before summer trials with Northwich and Chester FC, signing for the former on the eve of the current campaign.
|
