John McGrath sees exciting future for Mickleover Sports after boss signs two-year deal

JOHN MCGRATH reckons there is an “exciting future ahead” for Mickleover Sports after the player-boss signed a new two-year deal.

The 37-year-old joined Sports in the summer of 2015 as a player and took the managerial reins last April, replacing the long-serving duo of Glenn Kirkwood and Craig Hopkins.

Mickleover had just survived in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier before McGrath took over and he guided the club to a comfortable mid-table finish last season.

The former Aston Villa and Burton Albion midfielder has brought an attractive, attacking style of play to the Don Amott Arena and the club have seen enough to reward him with a new deal.

McGrath told Mickleover’s website: “I am delighted to continue my work as manager of Mickleover Sports and show my commitment by signing a new two-year contract.

“With everything happening off the pitch with our new development going ahead and with the support of the chairman Don Amott, the board and club committee members, Mickleover Sports is a club that has an exciting future ahead and I am privileged to be a part of it all.”

Chairman Amott added: “I’m so pleased John has decided to sign a new two-year deal with the club – he is a key figure of our future and I believe a strong relationship between the manager and the chairman is so important in all football clubs. It’s a pleasure for me to work with John.”

McGrath has already started to strengthen his Mickleover squad with the signings of former Burton, Kidderminster, Alfreton and Belper forward Evan Garnett and Bradley Grayson, who scored 28 times in all competitions for Sports’ NPL Premier rivals Buxton last term.