An independent and unofficial site since 2000
Kidsgrove Athletic FC - Meet the players
Goal statistics correct as at 12th January 2013.
 | JAMES CURLEY (defender)DoB:Signed from Stone Dominoes in June 2012, with whom he won the North West Counties League First Division title under current Grove manager Shaun Hollinshead. James is former Stoke City youth who can play either in defence or attack, and scored 23 times for Stone in the 2010/11 season. He marked his Kidsgrove debut with a goal against Brigg - the first of the 2012/12 season. Debut: 18/08/2012 v Brigg Town; Goals 2 |
| PAUL DONNELLY (defender)DoB:Signed from Stafford Rangers in July 2012, Paul has experienced success at this level previously, having been part of the Nantwich Town side that won promotion via the play-offs in 2008. Also helped Newcastle Town to the North West Counties title in 2010, as well as the play-off finals the following season. Debut: 18/08/2012 v Brigg Town; Goals 0 |
 | CRAIG DOVE (defender)DoB: 06/08/1983Born in Hartlepool, Craig started his career at Middlesbrough, coming through the youth system and making two first team appearances. After a spell on loan at York City, he moved to Rushden and Diamonds in July 2004 where he spent a season, before transferring to Chester City. He joined Kidsgrove in July 2008, and his experience has proved a valuable asset to a very young squad. In his time at Kidsgrove, he has alternated between playing in defence and midfield and reverted to a more advanced role in the 2011/12 season, which saw him write himself into Kidsgrove folklore with a stunning goal to help knock Boston out of the FA Cup. Craig is also team captain. Debut: 16/08/2008 v Goole; Goals 10 |
| DAVE DYSON (goalkeeper)DoB:Vastly experienced goalkeeper in the South West of England, Dave recently relocated to Staffordshire and signed for Kidsgrove from Stone Dominoes in June 2012. He began his career in the youth ranks at Norwich City before heading to the South West, spending seven years at Burnham and also representing Mangotsfield United, Clevedon Town and Welton Rovers. Debut: 21/08/2012 v Leek Town; Goals 0 |
| KARL ESPLEY (defender)DoB: 24/03/1986Signed following his release from Stafford Rangers in December 2012, Karl is a versatile player who is at home either at the back or in midfield. He was part of the exodus of players who moved from Newcastle Town to Stafford with manager Greg Clowes in the summer of 2011 and has also appeared for Alsager Town. Debut: 26/12/2012 v Stamford; Goals 0 |
| ASH HILL (midfield)DoB:Now in his second spell at the club, having first signed for for Athletic in 2007. He started his career at Port Vale, joining Leek Town on his release in June 2007. Between his time at Clough Hall, he has representd Norton United and Stone Dominoes from where he returned in July 2012. Debut: 2007; Goals 5 |
| JOHN JOHNSTON (midfield)DoB:Exciting young prospect who progressed through Kidsgrove's youth teams, and will be looking to make an impact in the first team this season. Already a favourite with the fans for his attacking play. Debut: 10/03/2012 v Belper Town; Goals 6 |
 | ANDY KINSEY (forward)DoB: 08/11/1978Experienced and popular striker who rejoined Kidsgrove for his third spell from Witton Albion in June 2011. He made his debut for Kidsgrove back in 1999, scoring the winner against Salford City in the North West Counties League. Over the coming seasons he netted 47 times for Athletic before moving on to join Leek Town. Andy then enjoyed a highly successful spell at Nantwich Town, helping them secure promotion into the Northern Premier League. He also scored two of the three goals and won the Man of the Match Award in The Dabbers' 2006 FA Vase Final triumph, and his experience will no doubt be of great assistance to a young team in the 2012/13 season Debut: 05/10/1999 v Salford City; Goals 82 |
 | AIDEN MATRANGA (midfield)DoB: 30/11/1986Pacey winger who moved to Kidsgrove in June 2006 after his release from Macclesfield Town whom he had represented at Youth and Reserve levels. He started to contribute goals regularly towards the end of his debut season including a memorable strike in the 6-1 Staffordshire Senior Cup final triumph over Rushall Olympic. Has gone on to be a valuable and popular member of the team and is currently the longest-serving player at the club, having now made in the region of 200 appearances. Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2011/12 season with a knee injury sustained in a pre-season friendly but has now made a welcome return to the squad. Debut: 19/08/2006 v Clitheroe; Goals 32 |
| ALAN NAGINGTON (forward)DoB:Experienced striker who arrived at Kidsgrove in June 2012, after spending last season at Stafford Rangers. Prior to that, his goals had been a key contibutor to the success of Newcastle Town and he has also represented Leek Town, Hednesford Town and Nantwich Town. Debut: 18/08/2012 v Brigg Town; Goals 0 |
| PHIL PARKINSON (defender)DoB: 24/09/1980Successful captain of the Nantwich Town side that won the FA Vase and promotion in 2006, Phil made his first appearance for Kidsgrove as a substitute in the 2012 Staffordshire Senior Cup Final against Rushall Olympic, and left with a winner's medal! He rejoined in November 2012 having spent time with Lostock Gralam of the Cheshire League. A player with much experience on the local non-league scene, he has also represented Newcastle Town, Alsager Town and Congleton Town, Winsford United and Witton Albion. Debut: 10/05/2012 v Rushall Olympic; Goals 0 |
| SHANE REANEY (forward)DoB:Pacey player who can play either as a striker or on the wing. Joined Kidsgrove in July 2012, having followed manager Shaun Hollinshead from Stone Dominoes. Locally he has also turned out for Meir KA and Congleton Town. Debut: 18/08/2012 v Brigg Town; Goals 1 |
| JACK SHERRATT (midfield)DoB:Young midfielder, who can also play in defence, who signed for Athletic in September 2012. Jack has been participating in the national "Samsung Win a Pro Contract" competition and has so far beaten off competition from over 5,000 other entrants to win a place in the final during January 2013. Debut: 29/09/2012 v Stamford; Goals 0 |
| DAN SKELTON (midfield)DoB: 03/01/1990Another player who has returned to the Seddon Stadium for 2012/13, following his release from Stafford Rangers over the summer. He started his career at Port Vale, moved to Witton Albion and then arrived at Kidsgrove for the first time in November 2008. Having departed at the end of the 2008/09 season, he joined the successful Newcastle Town side that won promotion from the North West Counties League and reached the Evo-Stik First Division play-off final, then following manager Greg Clowes to Marston Road. Debut: 15/11/2008 v Retford United; Goals 7 |
| PAUL TAYLOR (defender)DoB: 16/08/1980Talented defender who signed for Kidsgrove in November 2011, having left Leek Town at the prior to the start of the 2011/12 season where he had spent nearly two years. "Taz" started his career at Port Vale and, after a spell at Stone Dominoes, then joined Nantwich Town, making over 100 appearances and helping them to two promotions, in a team that contained several current Kidsgrove players. Debut: 15/11/2011 v Sheffield; Goals 5 |