Michael Twiss

Michael Twiss

Personal information
Full name	Michael John Twiss[1]
Date of birth	26 December 1977[1]
Place of birth	Salford, England
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Youth career
1994–1997	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
1997–2000	Manchester United	0	(0)
1998–1999	→ Sheffield United (loan)	12	(1)
2000–2001	Port Vale	18	(2)
2001–2002	Leigh RMI	33	(15)
2002–2004	Chester City	64	(11)
2004–2010	Morecambe	202	(53)
2010	Stalybridge Celtic	2	(0)
2010–2012	Altrincham	68	(9)
Total		402	(91)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (goals)

Michael John Twiss (born 26 December 1977) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. He scored 95 goals in 445 competitive matches in a 15-year career.

Beginning his career with Manchester United, he enjoyed a loan spell with Sheffield United, without ever making a league appearance for the "Red Devils". He signed with Port Vale in July 2000, moving on to non-league Leigh RMI a year later. In 2002 he transferred to Chester City, joining Morecambe two years later. He won promotion into the Football League with both clubs, helping Chester to the Conference title in 2003–04 and playing for the "Shrimps" in their play-off final success in 2007. After six years with Morecambe, he moved on to Altrincham via Stalybridge Celtic in 2010.

Playing career

Manchester United

Born in Salford, Greater Manchester,^[1] Twiss began his career as a trainee at Manchester United, but despite being a regular in the reserve team from 1997 to 2000, failed to make the grade at the club. On 25 February 1998, he made his debut for the first team, coming on as a 79th minute substitute in the 3-2 defeat to Barnsley in the FA Cup fifth round replay at Oakwell.^[2] Twiss made his first start for United on 13 October 1999, playing 73 minutes in the 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa in the League Cup third round, before being replaced by Richie Wellens.^[3] This turned out to be his last appearance for the club and he was released at the end of the 1999-2000 season.

Sheffield United (loan)

He spent most of the 1998–99 season on loan with Sheffield United in the First Division. His first senior goal came on 28 December, scoring a late winner over Huddersfield Town in a 2–1 victory at Bramall Lane.^[4] He returned to Old Trafford in March 1999, having only started four games for the "Blades", coming on as a substitute thirteen times.

Port Vale

In July 2000 he signed a one-month deal with Brian Horton's Port Vale,^[5] after impressing on trial.^[6] A regular at the start of the 2000–01 season, he fell out of favour in October. He played in Vale's FA Cup exit to Canvey Island of the Isthmian League on 28 November, before being put up for sale the next month.^[7] With no takers, he was a semi-regular at Vale Park for the rest of the season. He was on the bench for the Football League Trophy final at Millennium Stadium, as the "Valiants" recorded a 2–1 win over Brentford.

Leigh RMI

He joined Football Conference club Leigh RMI in time for the start of the 2000–01 season. There, Twiss found himself at a more comfortable level and had a successful season at the club, scoring 15 goals in 34 games, becoming the club's top scorer.^[8]

Chester City

He joined Conference rivals Chester City for the 2001–02 season,^[9] a far cry from his days with the "Red Devils".^[10] He had a quiet season in 2002–03, but did make 36 appearances in all competitions. He did not play in either leg of the play-off semi-final defeat to Doncaster Rovers. The 2003–04 season saw Chester promoted as champions, Twiss scoring six goals in 31 games. In January 2004 Morecambe offered Chester £5,000 for his services,^[11] the deal did not go through.

Morecambe

Twiss remained in the Conference for the 2004–05 season, signing with Morecambe in May 2004,^[12] after rejecting a new contract at Chester.^[13] Performing well at Christie Park, Ian Rush, now manager of old club Chester, offered Morecambe £50,000 for his return, a bid which was rejected.^[14] In March 2005 he was singled out for praise, due to his consistent scoring.^[15] Again a solid performer in the 2005–06 season, Morecambe crept into the play-offs, only to be defeated by Hereford United. Twiss scored 11 goals in the 2006–07 season before damaging medial ligaments in February.^[16][17] He did however make it back in time for the play-offs,^[18] and was part of the Morecambe side that won the Conference play-off Final 2–1 over Exeter City at Wembley. A long-term contract signed in December 2006 would keep him signed to Morecambe until June 2010.^[19] He helped Morecambe to survive in their first season in League Two, as they finished 11th and reached the semi-final of the Football League Trophy. Bury aimed to achieve his signature in July 2008, but did not get far.^[20] York City attempted to sign him in August 2008, but this ended as Twiss wanted to stay in the Lancashire area.^[21] After gradually falling out of favour he was released by Morecambe in March 2010.^[22]

Stalybridge Celtic

Twiss was immediately snapped up by Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic, managed by ex-Morecambe boss Jim Harvey.^[23] Twiss made his debut for Stalybridge in a 1–0 defeat against Southport.^[24]

Altrincham

In June 2010, Twiss signed a one-year deal with Conference club Altrincham.^[25] After sixteen starts and sixteen substitute appearances in 2010–11, he signed a new contract the following summer, despite the club's relegation into the Conference North.^[26] He was released at the end of the 2011–12 season by manager Lee Sinnott, after "Alty" failed to reach the play-offs.

Statistics

Season	Club	Division	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Other[27]		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1997–98[28]	Manchester United	Premier League	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
1998–99[29]			0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1998–99[29]	Sheffield United (loan)	First Division	12	1	5	0	0	0	0	0	17	1
1999–2000[30]	Manchester United	Premier League	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
Total			0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
2000–01[31]	Port Vale	Second Division	18	2	2	0	2	0	2	0	24	2
Total			18	2	2	0	2	0	2	0	24	2
2001–02[32]	Leigh RMI	Conference National	33	15	0	0	0	0	1	0	34	15
Total			33	15	0	0	0	0	1	0	34	15
2002–03[33]	Chester City	Conference National	35	5	0	0	0	0	1	0	36	5
2003–04[34]			29	6	1	0	0	0	1	0	31	6
Total			64	11	1	0	0	0	2	0	67	11
2004–05[35]	Morecambe	Conference National	40	22	1	1	0	0	3	0	44	23
2005–06[36]			42	11	1	0	0	0	3	1	46	12
2006–07[37]			33	10	2	1	0	0	2	0	37	11
2007–08[38]		League Two	36	6	0	0	3	0	6	0	45	6
2008–09[39]			28	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	29	3
2009–10[40]			26	1	2	0	1	1	1	0	30	2
Total			205	53	6	2	4	1	16	1	231	57
2009–10	Stalybridge Celtic	Conference North	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Total			2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
2010–11[41]	Altrincham	Conference National	32	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	32	4
2011–12		Conference North	36	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	36	5
Total			68	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	68	9
Career total			402	91	15	2	7	1	21	1	445	95

Honours

with Port Vale

• Football League Trophy winner: 2001^[42]

with Chester City

• Football Conference champion: 2003–04

with Morecambe

• Football Conference play-off winner: 2007

References

1. Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946-2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 623. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
2. "United shattered by Jones double". Independent.co.uk (The Independent). 25 February 1998. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
3. "Villa make merry with United's fledglings". Independent.co.uk (The Independent). 13 October 1999. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
4. "Sheffield United 2 Huddersfield 1". Sporting Life. 28 December 1998. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
5. "Horton takes Twiss". BBC Sport. 25 July 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
6. "Trialist at Vale Park". BBC Sport. 25 July 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
7. "Five up for sale at Vale". BBC Sport. 4 December 2000. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
8. Oliver, Pete (29 April 2002). "Kielty boost for Leigh". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
9. Oliver, Pete (21 May 2002). "Waywell aiming high". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
10. Fletcher, Paul (4 December 2002). "Life after Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
11. "Morecambe bid for Twiss". BBC Sport. 11 January 2004. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
12. "Twiss makes Chester exit". BBC Sport. 29 April 2004. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
13. "Shrimps net Twiss and Kelly". BBC Sport. 4 May 2004. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
14. "Shrimps reject Chester Twiss bid". BBC Sport. 8 February 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
15. "Harvey praises Twiss contribution". BBC Sport. 23 March 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
16. "Morecambe rocked by Twiss injury". BBC Sport. 13 February 2007. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
17. Oliver, Pete (4 April 2007). "Twiss targets return". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
18. "Twiss ready for Morecombe return". BBC Sport. 16 April 2007. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
19. "Twiss signs new Shrimps contract". BBC Sport. 19 December 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
20. "Shakers play down Twiss reports". BBC Sport. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
21. Carroll, Steve (22 August 2008). "Twiss miss as Walker gives chase". The Press. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
22. "Midfielder Michael Twiss leaves Morecambe". BBC Sport. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
23. "Twissy thanks fans for their support". Morecambe F.C. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
24. "Southport take the three points in the replay". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. official website. 9 March 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
25. "Alty boss Heathcote focuses on a recruitment drive". Trafford Sport. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
26. "Altrincham sign Simon Richman and Chris Lynch". BBC Sport. 3 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
27. Includes other competitive competitions, including the Football League Trophy.
28. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
29. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
30. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
31. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
32. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
33. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
34. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
35. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
36. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
37. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
38. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
39. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
40. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
41. "Games played by Michael Twiss in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
42. "Vale vault Brentford to lift Vans trophy". BBC Sport. 22 April 2001. Retrieved 19 January 2016.

External links

• Michael Twiss career statistics at Soccerbase