Tributes are paid to club stalwart Mick
LEEK CSOB vice-chairman John Hyde has led the tributes following the death of former Old Boys stalwart Mick Nettel last week.
Mick played for several clubs in the town, including Ball Haye Green, but he will perhaps be best known for his time at Leek CSOB, both as a player and as a manager.
John and Mick have been friends since their school days, growing up together, playing football together and managing the Old Boys together.
He said Mick’s death came as a shock to the community.
“I couldn’t believe the news. Mick had been fine, in fact he had been spending a little time away with his family. He was preparing to go to work one morning last week when he collpsed. It was completely out of the blue and unexpected,” said John.
They first met when playing school football, Mick for Leek High School and John at Westwood.
“We got to know one another and remained friends ever since.”
Mick, aged 58, and a family man, had a spell at Leek Town, playing with the likes of another former Old Boys stalwart Chris Mcmullen, who died in 2015, but eventually joined the Old Boys where he had a successful time as a player before taking over the managerial reins in the early 1990s with John as his assistant. They had a spell together as joint-managers before stepping down and handing over to Mcmullen, who also went on to become the club’s chairman.
“Mick was an excellent manager and a very good midfield player. He had good technique, a lovely ball player and a powerful shot on him. But he was also a lovely person and was well respected around town. I don’t know anyone who had a bad word to say about him.”
Current Leek Town manager Neil Baker also paid tribute to a man he called ‘a very talented footballer.’
“I think Mick played for Leek Town under Mick Pejic, but I knew him well. He was a great football player and if he wanted I am sure he could have played at a higher standard, he was that talented.
“But he wasn’t just known for his footballing abilities, he was a very nice person with no enemies.”
Several tributes have been paid on social media by people who either knew Mick, played football with him, or for him.
Current Leek CSOB chairman Steve Rutter wrote: Quiet family man who played for every Leek team and went on to be manager at Leek CSOB. You will be sadly missed Mick. Thoughts go out to all your wonderful family.
One of the best ever players to come out of Leek. Had the pleasure of knowing you and playing with you, wrote Andy Hemmings and Pete Hassall wrote simply: Great guy and an even better player.
Both Leek CSOB and Leek Town held a minute’s silence prior to the weekend games against Alsager Town and Ramsbottom United, as did Leek Rugby Club before their game at home to Walsall.
Mick was a junior rugby coach at the club and his son Adam is a former first-team captain.