Date: Thu 16 Jun 2022

By Steve Whitney

Ford Brings In Experienced Midfielder

Mike Ford, manager of Pitching In Southern League Division One South club Evesham United, has brought in vastly experienced midfielder Chris Knowles.

The 35-year-old started his career within the Bashley youth system and made his way into the senior team in the 2004/05 season, where he made 26 appearances and scored 5 goals.

He earned a move to Salisbury City in 2005 and made 7 appearances across two seasons as well as playing 7 games on loan at Poole Town in the 2005/06 season.

He made 37 appearances while on loan at Bashley in 2006/07, scoring 3 goals, and signed for the club permanently in 2007, going on to make over 250 appearances at Southern League level as well as becoming captain for the side before leaving in 2011.

He moved across to Australia for three years, where he played his football for Wolves FC, and upon returning to the UK in 2014, he dual registered with Cirencester Town and Gloucester City.

He featured 4 times for Cirencester before becoming a permanent fixture in the Tigers midfield, going on to make over 150 appearances at National League North and South level before being released.

He moved to Southern Premier Division South outfit Weston-super-Mare in December 2019 and had a player-coach role.

Senior football manager at Hartpury College during the day, he brings calmness, organisation and communication to the team when he’s on the pitch.

Knowles told Evesham’s website: “I am hoping to get back to playing again. Last year I enjoyed my time at Weston-super-Mare coaching after my injury. I had an ACL injury, and I am now nine months post-op. Everything is going in the right direction. I am looking forward to getting back playing and I want to enjoy my football again.

“I am ready for the pre-season, but I am not sure I will be ready for games straight away. I am looking forward to working with the boys. I have not worked with Mike Ford before but liked what he had to say as he was interested in me and to be part of his plans, which is always nice”.

Evesham United Web Site

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