THE MAIN FEATURE

THE MAIN FEATURE LEWIS KING

Right-back Lewis King signed last summer for Stockton Town and recently made his 50th appearance for the Anchors.

The former Hartlepool United Academy player has fit right in at the club and his pace along with full-back partner Dan McWilliams has become a synonymous part of the Stockton attack. At just 21, it’s some achievement to hit. “It’s good a milestone to hit,” King told The Anchor. “There’s a lot of players at the club like Adi and Tom who have been here for a few years now and that’s something I look to achieve as well in the future at the club.” For most keen Stockton fans it’s pretty obvious what King’s best moment has been since arriving at the club. He said: “Probably my only goal so far. “Either that or blatantly not winning the league

last year. It’s probably the goal against Thornaby on Boxing Day last year though.” It was some strike too that settled an intense Teesside derby in front of a packed Map Group UK Stadium. What we do experience such as that now in postlockdown times. King’s arrival at Stockton Town has been his first experience of Northern League. Naturally, his experience has been as expected: “It’s lot a more physical.” “Obviously playing in youth football it’s a lot more possession based where as we obviously try to do that as well but it’s a lot more physical and tackling which I’ve had to adapt to in my game.” On players that have caused difficulty, King was keeping his cards close to his chest: “Obviously there’s a couple but I can’t be naming names.” “I think team’s like Consett when they don’t play with wide wingers and they play on the inside between you and the centre-half that’s always hard to deal with.” “So I’d probably give them as the toughest opponent.” The full-back position has gained trendiness in recent seasons, especially with Trent Alexander- Arnold and Andy Robertson at Premier League Champions Liverpool. King is very much focused on himself though: “I just try to play my own game. “Obviously you do look at aspects of their game and try to look at what they do well and see if you can implement into your game to improve your play.” “I just try to play my own game and do what the manager asks week in week out.” King is very much the modern type of fullback in his overall game. Speaking on his strengths: “Probably my pace and getting forward well.” “There’s stuff I need to work on defensively but going forward and getting balls into the box are

probably where I am strongest.” Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing of Northallerton Town saw Stockton Town break three-game winless run. That brought no panic stations within the club but with such high standards brought about from last season it may have raised a few eyebrows. “I think we’re playing well,” King said on the season so far. “I think last two pre-season games against Whitby and South Shields we picked up really well and we started off really well against Shildon.” “Then we didn’t do badly against Guisborough and we had things to improve on which we picked up against Ashington and Billingham Town.” “Then we hit a bad patch but that’s going to happen.” “We picked up again Saturday and let’s see if we can kick on against Whitley Bay on Wednesday,” Like the rest of the Stockton squad, King has ambition for the future: “Individually I want to play as many games as I can.

“Hopefully I can chip in with more goals and assists than I do.” “Obviously collectively we want to go on and push for league titles again this year like we did last year.” “I just want to go as far as I can with Stockton.” He’s firmly feeling settled with the club: “I think playing 50 games in my first year isn’t bad at all to be fair.” “All the lads are great and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first year. Hopefully there’s many more to come.” Before arriving at Stockton Town, King had been at the Hartlepool United academy until 16. He then had a spell in Lancashire with Premier League Burnley before moving back to the North East to play at Spennymoor Town. He said: “You’ve got to take things from other clubs.” “When you’re playing with very good players you’ve always got to look at how they play and see if you can implement that into your game. I’m just trying to be myself and play as well I can by knowing what I am good so I can focus on that during games.”

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MEET THE PLAYERS INTRODUCING OUR SQUAD FOR THE 2020-21 SEASON

1 Callum Roberts Goalkeeper Callum joined from Billingham Synthonia and he was at Preston NE for six years prior. The shot-stopper has also spent time higher up in non-league football. 5 Dan McWilliams Defender A local lad, Dan was released from Middlesbrough’s Academy at age 16. He has previous Northern League experience with Billingham Synthonia and Guisborough. 9 Jordan Robinson Midfielder Jordan is a very experienced defender, who played for Middlesbrough’s Academy before joining Wigan Athletic. He is a tall, strong midfielder, who is a huge asset. 2 Michael Arthur Goalkeeper ‘Martha’ joined the club back in 2012 from Billingham Town as an outfield player. He was a vital member of the team that went all the way to the FA Vase final in 2018.

6 Lewis King Defender Lewis was a member of the Hartlepool Academy until 16, he then spend time with Burnley and then Spennymoor. A top prospect, athletic and gets forward. 10 Max Craggs Midfielder A product of the Stockton youth system, Max joined the squad age 17 and quickly became a regular. He had a season with Billingham Synthonia in 2015-16. 3 Adam Nicholson Defender Longest-serving player at the club, Adam came through the youth system. Captain of the team, he leads by example at the back and also has an impressive scoring record. 7 Tom Coulthard Defender Tom is a product Stockton’s youth set up. He broke into the first team when he was 17 and is a tough, strong, quick, thoroughbread of a centre back.

11 Nathan Mulligan Midfielder Nathan was with Middlesbrough until age 18. He played in the Football League with Darlington and has a wealth of Northern League experience. 4 Dale Mulligan Defender Dale re-signed for Stockton and links back up with brother Nathan after a spell at Shildon. He played for the Anchors during their Wembley run in 2017-18. 8 James Risbrough Midfielder ‘Munchie’ returned home in 2017 after playing for several top clubs including Spennymoor, Marske and Guisborough as well as spending time in Sweden. 12 Shane Henry Midfielder Shane’s nickname is ‘The Bull’ and that becomes clear when you see him play. He joins his hometown club after six seasons playing higher up with Spennymoor Town

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13 Tom Portas Midfielder Tom signed from West Auckland and has previous experience with Guisborough, Whitby and Darlington. A fantastic midfielder, elegant on the ball.

17 Kevin Hayes Forward Kevin forced his way into the title-winning team in 2017 and has gone on to cement his place in the first team. A lightning quick wide man, likes to get at defenders. 21 JD Briggs Asst Manager JD also had a great playing career, in non-league. He turned to coaching and became Michael’s assistant in the 2014 and has been with the club ever since. 14 Fred Woodhouse Forward Another Stockton youth product, Fred won the Second Division title with Newton Aycliffe and was part of the Marske United squad that won the title in 2015.

18 Michael Roberts Forward Another Stockton lad, Mikey has also played at Guisborough, Spennymoor, Whitby and Marske. He also has a Division One title under his belt.

22 John Fielding Coach John joined Stockton as an assistant with the U18s and was promoted to first team coach in 2018. He guided the youth team to a league and cup double in 2017. 15 Jamie Owens Forward Jamie is now in his third spell with the club and is a product of the Stockton youth system. He has a wealth of experience and won the league title with Marske in 2015.

19 Nathan Steel Forward Nathan arrived from Shildon and is an experienced Northern League striker, who has had successful spells at clubs like Guisborough and Billingham Synthonia. 16 Jonathan Franks Forward Jonathan started his journey at Stockton and has represented England from U15s through to U20s. The forward has played for a number of top clubs. 20 Michael Dunwell Manager After a successful playing career, he was appointed Stockton manager in 2014, after a year of being a playercoach. He now enters his seventh season as manager.