Whitstable Town boss Peter Nott addds Mickelborough and Lyall to his squad

WHITSTABLE TOWN boss Peter Nott has today unveiled two more summer signings as he prepares for his first full season in charge of the club, writes Stephen McCartney.


Gary Mickelborough, 25, has returned to the Belmont Road club, having helped Hythe Town clinch the Kent League title last season and he became the first Kent League player to score in the FA Cup First Round for 53 years when he scored against Hereford United at Edgar Street last November.

Ashford resident Mickelborough scored 12 goals for Scott Porter’s conquering side last term, mainly playing in a wide midfield position, although he has been brought to Whitstable to play in his preferred striking role.

“Gary has plenty of pace and has scored goals before at this level, being top scorer for Ramsgate with 20 goals the season before last,” Nott told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.

“I am delighted that I have persuaded him to join us, but the frustrating thing is that he is booked in for an operation on his metatarsal on his right foot this week, so we are not expecting him to be available until around September.

“However, it was important that we got him on board now as he will be a key player for us, so we will do everything in our powers to help him get back to full fitness as soon as possible.”

Mickelborough previously played for Whitstable Town in their youth set-up between the ages of 14-16 under the guidance of Colin and Peter Budge.

However, he then took a break away from football to concentrate on his promising athletic career, which led to him representing Great Britain in the 400 metres.

At the age of 20 he returned to football joining Ashford-based side Bromley Green in the Kent County League before moving to Hythe Town where he scored 12 goals in his first season in the Kent League.

This led to a move to Ramsgate in Ryman League Division One South, before the 6 ft 1” striker was persuaded to return to Reachfields Stadium where he helped them win the Kent League title as well as scoring important goals against Hereford United and Staines Town as Hythe Town became the first Kent League side to reach the FA Cup First Round in 53 years.

Nott, meanwhile, extends a warm welcome to Rob Lyall, 21, who has signed for the Kent club from Evo-Stik Division One outfit Quorn.

In his final appearance for Quorn, Lyall helped them beat Blue Square Bet North side Hinckley United 5-4 to lift the Westerby Cup at the Walkers Stadium in Leicester.

The 6 foot 3”” centre half/central midfielder has just moved back to Kent after completing a three-year degree course at Loughborough University.

Nott said: “It’s great news that Rob has signed for Whitstable.  He is a very composed player and is equally confident playing in the heart of the defence or in midfield, he’s quick, strong in the air and gets more than his fair share of goals from set pieces and corners.

“I managed Rob at Maidstone United as he progressed through the ranks making his Ryman Premier League debut aged 18 against AFC Wimbledon, in front of a crowd of 1,200 people and he went on to play in excess of 20 first team games before leaving for Uni.

“He organises and talks well on the pitch and has a real passion to win and I’m very much looking forward to be working with him again.”

Nott added, “Unfortunately Rob cannot join up with us until 24 August as he has already undertaken to do some voluntary work in Ghana, but knowing the type of lad he is, I’m confident that he will come back fit and raring to go.”

Article courtesy of Tony Rouse – www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk