THE MAIN FEATURE

THE MAIN FEATURE DALE MULLIGAN

Dale Mulligan has returned to Stockton Town after leaving Shildon at the end of last season. Ahead of the FA Cup tie against his former club, Dale spoke to us to give his thoughts on a variety of topics. When asked his feelings on returning to the Anchors, Dale revealed: “It’s brilliant, I feel right at home, back with my home town club, I know all the lads, it’s a great set up here, it just feels brilliant to be back.”Pre-season training began back in early July and the centre-back revealed it was hard coming back after nearly four months away: “It was hard work, the lads are all professional, everyone kept themselves right, the standard was high straight from the offset. It was definitely strange coming back from a long layoff but it’s really good to be back.”

Dale also gave his thoughts on performances throughout pre-season: “Performance levels weren’t great to start, but it was just rust I think, the last two games have been outstanding, exactly what the Stockton teams we all know against two high level teams, they were brilliant, so it has put us in great stead going into the Shildon game.” All leagues below Step Three in the National Pyramid were null-and-void due to the Covid-19 pandemic last season, Dale expressed his disappointment at that decision: “It was really hard to take, I think the fairest way would have been the points per game system, but at the end of the day the powers that be make them decisions and we’ve just got to get on with it, a lot of hard work went to waste, a lot of clubs money but it’s out of our hands so we’ve just got to get on with it.” Moving forward from the disappointment of last season, Dale believes the mentality in the dressing room is well equipped to move on: “Absolutely, everyone’s chomping at the bit to play and especially the last two games have put us at the forefront to go and do exactly the same as what Stockton did last year.” “The lads are all ready, the coaching staff too, it will be great to get the fans back in and just get back to normality and get back to business.” On his return home from Shildon, and the direction the club is taking: “As soon as I left Shildon, Michael Dunwell spoke to me and said don’t make any decisions yet, we will have a chat. As soon as I knew there was half a sniff of coming back, it was

the only decision I wanted to make. It’s right for me, my family and everything, it’s perfect.” “The club is going in the right direction, the set-up is perfect, Martin Hillerby has done a cracking job of getting the club to where it’s at, a lot of hard work goes in behind closed doors, it’s exactly where I want to be.” On his first game back at Stockton being his former club: “Great set of lads at Shildon, the dressing room is fantastic over there, I’ve got a lot of friends over there. You couldn’t write it really that our first game would be against them, but at the end of the day you’ve just got to get down to business and we’ve got to beat what’s in front of us and they’re a very good outfit, very, very good but I think we’ve got a good chance of beating them and going into the next round.” On the platform for the season, with four home games in the first month, and fans being allowed back into non-league grounds: “Absolutely, get a couple of wins under our belt to steady us into the season, there’s no easy games in the Northern League there really isn’t. Teams are going to come here and they’re going to make it difficult for us to break down, they’re going to want to get behind the ball because we’re a good side and that’s going to be difficult. We have to find a way of breaking through those teams.” “The Stockton fans are outstanding, they had the highest average home attendance throughout last season, they really do give the lads a lift going into 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 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. 21 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. 14 Cieran Jackson Forward Cieran signed for the Anchors Spennymoor Town and also has international honours to his name when he was called up to the England Schools Under-18 squad in 2018. 18 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. 22 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. 15 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.

19 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.

23 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. 16 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.

20 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.