Atherton Collieries finally make their long-awaited return to the Dreams2Reality Stadium on Saturday, with Kidsgrove Athletic the visitors for what will mark manager Michael Clegg’s first competitive home fixture since returning to the club last month.
Cup commitments (along with related postponements) have meant the Colls haven’t played a home game in the Northern Premier League Division One West since that against Witton Albion on August 24, which occurred five days before Clegg’s return was confirmed.
Victories at Consett in the FA Trophy and West Didsbury and Chorlton in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy have followed in the intervening period, with those ties also serving as ideal ‘settling-in’ period for those brought in to bolster the playing squad.
Familiar surroundings may aid that process for a number of those reinforcements, however, with previous fan favourites such as Danny Lafferty, Danny Lambert, Ethan Kershaw and Tom Bentham among the incomings as they re-unite under their former (and now current) boss.
And their combined experience could prove invaluable as the Colls look to start climbing the league table, beginning with three points at home this weekend.
Standing in their way will be a Kidsgrove side who have made a steady start to the 2024/25 campaign with three wins, two draws and three defeats from their opening eight league games, a return that leaves them eighth in an albeit slightly imbalanced early-season table.
One name with the potential to be amongst the visiting ranks is one likely familiar to many close followers of lower-league football; that of veteran striker Matt Rhead.
Rhead, who came off the bench to score in his side’s most recent outing, returned to The Grove in the summer having also represented the club early in his career, before going on to play in the Football League with both Mansfield Town and Lincoln City.
In any case though, the focus of many on the terraces on Saturday will be firmly fixed on those in black and white, as they look to ensure that Cleggy’s official homecoming is one to remember.
For supporters looking to be a part of what promises to be a real event of afternoon, and to cheer the lads on to three precious points, match tickets for this upcoming fixture will be available via our cash or card turnstiles, priced as follows:
Adults: £10
Concessions/Students: £7
Under 18s: £4
1916 Club Members/Accompanied Under 11s: Free.
Article: Ben Smith – Photo: Rob Clarke
