Former Leicester City keeper Carl Muggleton joins Holwell Sports coaching team

The experienced keeper has been out of the professional game since his departure from Notts County last season and was persuaded to help out at Holwell while he waits to re-join the Football League ranks. Muggleton has agreed to take training sessions alongside first team manager Simon Daws and Reserves boss Graham Lewin.

Muggleton’s son Tom (18) joined Holwell’s under 18s as a 15-year-old and Sam (16) joined him in the same side last season. Both played a significant number of reserve team games and at the tail end of last season history was made when their dad pulled on his goalkeeping gloves and joined them for two matches.

He said: “It was a great experience to play in the same side as my two lads. I’ve been going down to Holwell to watch my two boys play and the committee asked me, with the managers’ blessing, if I would get involved in some way.

“I’ll be setting up and taking a few training sessions and helping in any way that I can.

“Obviously I want to stay in the pro game so this will help me keep my eye in with the coaching. If any job comes up I will still get down to Holwell for training sessions and watch as many matches as I can if I can spare the time.”

Muggleton, from Queniborough, made more than 550 appearances in a professional playing career that spanned 22 years, and decided to retire when he was released by Mansfield Town just shy of his 40th birthday.

He brings a wealth of coaching experience to Welby Road including a coveted A licence. He served as a goalkeeping coach at Notts County under various managers during a four-year spell until he became surplus to requirements when Keith Curle took over last season.

The 43-year-old has already set to work at Holwell, introducing new regimes into pre-season training including more ball-related work on top of the customary running and fitness work.

He added: “It’s been good to get involved with Holwell - they have got a good set-up. As long as the lads are willing to work hard, it is all you can ask.

“I’ve been throwing in some new ideas rather than just running round the park circuit training and there’s been good feedback so far. Players are a bit different now in that they like to know why they are doing things which is good.

“They had some good results at the end of last season and hopefully there will be a gradual progression next season under Simon Daws.”

The Asfordby Hill club received more good news this week when their place in next season’s FA Cup was confirmed in Friday’s extra preliminary round draw.

Holwell missed out on the world’s biggest domestic cup competition last season, but their 11th place finish last term qualified them this time round. They will travel to United Counties League Premier side Sleaford Town on Saturday, August 11 where both teams will vie for a home tie against Rainworth Miners Welfare a fortnight later.

Club officials will hope their good fortune holds tonight when they and Thurmaston Town representatives attend the FA hearing into May’s abandoned Melton Charity Cup final.