AFC Cleveland is proud to announce the return of four players. Midfielders TJ Welch, Mikey McGlaughlin, and Tom Granot join forward Ryan Minick on the team’s 2014 NPSL squad.
Welch joins the Royals after a successful playing career at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, OH.
“TJ started last season as one of our better players and was unfortunate to have his season ended early through injury,” AFC Cleveland head coach Andy Hoggarth commented. “I think we will benefit from a good year of rehab and be a better team with TJ’s tenacity in the midfield.”
McGlaughlin, a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, is a native of Nottingham, England.
“After breaking his ankle in the 2012 preseason and then spending last season with Zanesville, Mikey will bring a tenacity and work rate to the squad that we lacked at times last year. He is also a very versatile player who will fight for time in a couple of different roles.”
Granot returns to the Royals after a successful season at Fordham University, where he started all 17 games for the Rams as a sophomore. He was a two-time selection to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
“Tom will be a welcome returning player to the squad after showing the potential he has to bring players into the game last season. After a solid season at Fordham I expect Tom to increase the attacking output in our team this season.”
Minick, a three-year letterwinner at Hiram College, is a native of North Royalton, OH. He led the Terriers in goals (11), points (28), shots (67), and shots on goal (32) during the 2011 season.
“Ryan has a lot of potential to both create and score goals and finds seams between the opposition’s defense and midfield consistently. Ryan will once again compete with what will be a strong attacking group.”
