19-08-20 – News – The departure of Milan Butterfield

With the news today that the Harriers Online sponsored player, Milan Butterfield, has departed the club then I think it’s time for an update in this news starved extended close season.

Milan was just one of the few that we had been waiting on to sign a contract and the longer it went on then the more unlikely it would be that he would be signing a new one. Along with Ed Williams and Ashley Chambers he was the last one that were waiting on. Of those offered new contracts: Jaiden White, Milan Butterfield, Alex Prosser, Keith Lowe, Ashley Chambers, Ed Williams and Tom Palmer four signed and three didn’t. That it was three important players that are seeking their fortunes elsewhere is a little bit dis-heartening.

Ashley has already signed for Brackley Town while Ed has been on trial with Doncaster Rovers and now Milan has gone to Chesterfield to team up with our former manager John Pemberton and former player, Jamie Sharman, once more.

Due to his young age Milan has signed for the Spireites for a nominal fee. Best of luck Milan and thanks for all you did for us.

I’ve already mentioned the two that have already left but there were quite a few that were released at the end of their contracts too. Harry Higginson, Brandon Diau, Declan Weeks, Samir Nabi, Ryan Johnson, Reiss Taylor-Randle, Correy Davidson, Lewis Miccio and Knory Scott were those and so far we only know about Harry signing for Bromsgrove Sporting, as expected, Miccio has gone to Solihull Moors and RT-R has joined up with Lye Town following a loan spell there last season. Of the others not a clue.

The arrival of Koby Arthur was mentioned in the last update in May but this will be the first time that Lewis Montrose signing for us has been covered. The veteran midfielder joined us in June from relegated (yippee) AFC Fylde and will bolster our defensive midfield with his undoubted experience at this level and above.

The next one to join was a returnee with Amari Morgan-Smith opting to come back to Aggborough after a six year absence that has taken in stints with Oldham Athletic, Cheltenham Town, York City, AFC Telford Utd and Alfreton Town. Probably his most successful time was at the latter two with thirty one goals between them.

Finally the last new? face is Luke Maxwell and, yes, he’s been here before too. In fact it’s third spell here so he must like us. Being a local lad helps. 

Away from the playing side of things then super hero Richard Forsyth returned to the club in May as Director of Football. Another former Harrier, but not so well known, returned with Dan Ludlow replacing Elliott Turner who had left the club earlier.

There has also been a money raising initiative that the club had hoped would help out with running costs but that was poorly supported. Some of this website s followers did chip in though with a healthy £360 donated by thirteen of us.

The season ticket details have been released with prices staying more or less the same as last season. The big difference this time round will be the end of a book of tickets and the dawn of the digital age with a swipe card to be used in future. All the info for that cane be found here: https://harriers.co.uk/news/2020/08/03/10130/ 

Finally we, at long last, have news of the restart of the season following all the lockdowns due to COVID-19. For us that will start with a FA Cup qualifying game on October 3rd and then soon after the season might start properly. The fixtures for that will be coming out on September 8th.

I think that’s about it so it’s now roll on October although in my case I won’t be around. I’ll be in Venice that first week of the month (hopefully) so I hope we draw Blyth Spartans away from home.

Photo © KHFC & AFCF