James Kirby Returns!

We are very excited to finally reveal that Colls cult hero James Kirby has returned to the club! James, pictured here with assistant-manager Andrew Heald, is perhaps best remembered for his stunning hat-trick in a 4-1 win away at Runcorn Linnets in September 2015. He was last glimpsed by Colls fans away at Cleethorpes for that FA Vase game, whilst watching the club as a supporter, being serenaded as “The only Colls player to come from Congleton”. Most recently James has been representing Sandbach United in the Division One South of the North-West Counties, scoring goals for fun. He’s bagged 17 league goals already this season, including a five goal haul against Cheadle Town and hat-tricks against Cheadle Heath Nomads and Ellesmere Rangers. An FA Vase goal against Atherton LR and a brace to knock Tranmere Rovers out of the Cheshire Senior Cup at Prenton Park also contributing to his 24 goal total so far. Coupled with this, James has been awarded back to back Macron Player of the Month Awards for September and October, this led to inevitable interest from other clubs. With so many of the current squad having been on board since the start of the manager’s tenure, James is well known to most in the dressing room. Stability being the hallmark of the Clegg era. Following training on Thursday, James joined the rest of the squad in distributing leaflets around Atherton to promote our upcoming games. Did you spot him? Speaking about James’ return early in the week, manager Micheal Clegg said: "James was with us a few years ago and was a young lad then, the commute was too big an ask. If the situation was different he would never have left. After keeping a close eye on his development, now is the right time to bring him back." "He is 21, a big strong lad who can score goals. He will provide great competition to the forwards. He knows what Colls are about, we can’t wait to have James and his family back at the club. He will go straight into Saturday’s squad.” Photo: David Featherstone