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Mitch Hancox

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Mitch Hancox
Hancox playing for York City in 2022
Personal information
Full name Mitchell John Hancox[1]
Date of birth (1993-11-09) 9 November 1993 (age 30)[2]
Place of birth Solihull, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Position(s) Left-back, central midfielder[4]
Team information
Current team
 Chester
Youth career
2001–2011 Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2016 Birmingham City 33 (0)
2015–2016 → Crawley Town (loan) 15 (2)
2016–2018 Macclesfield Town 77 (13)
2018–2019 Milton Keynes Dons 1 (0)
2019–2021 Solihull Moors 39 (1)
2019–2020 → Harrogate Town (loan) 5 (0)
2021–2022 Hereford 7 (0)
2021–2022 → York City (loan) 28 (8)
2022–2024 York City 40 (2)
2023–2024 → Hartlepool United (loan) 7 (1)
2024 Altrincham 7 (0)
2024– Chester 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:05, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

Mitchell John Hancox (born 9 November 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back or central midfielder for National League North club Chester. He has played in the Football League for Birmingham City, Crawley Town and Milton Keynes Dons.

Hancox began his career with hometown club Birmingham City, for whom he made his Football League debut in October 2012. In the 2015–16 season, he spent three months on loan to League Two club Crawley Town. Released by Birmingham at the end of that season, Hancox signed for National League club Macclesfield Town in August 2016. After two years, during which he helped Macclesfield win the 2017–18 National League title, he moved on to Milton Keynes Dons. Hancox joined his Solihull Moors in May 2019, spent time on loan to another National League club, Harrogate Town at the end of that year, and was released in 2021. He then signed for Hereford, and joined York City on loan later that year, helping them to promotion to the National League. York signed him permanently in June 2022, loaned him to Hartlepool United in 2023–24, and released him in March 2024. Hancox finished the season with Altrincham, and signed for Chester in June 2024.

Early life

[edit]

Hancox was born in Solihull, West Midlands.[5] He has three older brothers; the eldest, Matthew, was seriously wounded in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan with the Royal Marines.[6] Hancox was recruited into Birmingham City's youth system at the age of eight after being noticed playing in a six-a-side competition.[7] As a youngster, he was a Birmingham City supporter, and particularly admired full-backs Jeff Kenna and Martin Grainger and wing-back Stan Lazaridis.[7]

While still a 15-year-old Lyndon School student, he played for Birmingham's reserve team. He was picked out as "one of the bright spots of the evening from a home perspective" in a heavy defeat to Arsenal in the 2009–10 Premier Reserve League,[6][8] and described by then Academy manager Terry Westley as "one of the few players to come out with any credit" from a defeat to Leamington in the Birmingham Senior Cup.[9] On leaving school, he began a two-year scholarship with Birmingham City in July 2010.[1]

Career

[edit]

Birmingham City

[edit]
Hancox with Birmingham City in 2012

His first competitive involvement with Birmingham City's first team came when he was an unused substitute for the 2011–12 Europa League play-off round second leg against Nacional.[10] Hancox signed his first professional contract, of six months, in May 2012,[11] and was given a first-team squad number in August of that year.[5]

Hancox made his competitive debut in the 1–0 home defeat by Huddersfield Town in the Championship on 6 October, as an 80th-minute substitute for the injured Curtis Davies.[12] He played at left-back, allowing Paul Robinson to move to centre-back, and according to the Birmingham Mail, "can be pleased with his urgent and determined contribution in the last 10 minutes. He's only on a six-month contract but would sweat blood for his boyhood club."[13] A few days later, he was given a six-month extension to his contract.[14] When Robinson took over from Steven Caldwell as first-choice centre-back, Hancox was able to establish himself at left-back.[15] He ended the season with 20 appearances, including 14 starts,[16] and signed a new three-year contract.[17]

With David Murphy still recovering from injury, Hancox hoped to establish himself as first choice at left-back,[18] but a bruised testicle sustained in training and the loan signing of Shane Ferguson obstructed his progress.[19] His first appearance of the season was in mid-September, as a substitute with Birmingham already 3–0 down at Burnley, followed by two League Cup ties, the second of which, at home to Stoke City, was 4–4 after extra time. Hancox volunteered to take the first penalty in the shootout, but his powerful kick struck the top of the crossbar and went over; Birmingham went on to lose the shootout.[20][21] A run of games in November was halted by a knee injury,[22] and ankle damage put an end to another run in the new year.[23] He returned for the last few matches of the season, with Birmingham in danger of relegation. Needing at least a point from the final fixture, away to Bolton Wanderers and for other results to go in their favour, Hancox came on at half-time, and two minutes after Bolton took a two-goal lead, he crossed for Nikola Žigić to score with a header. Well into stoppage time, Paul Caddis scored the equaliser that kept Birmingham in the second tier.[24]

In the 2014 close season, Lee Clark signed left-back Jonathan Grounds, who was almost ever-present under the management both of Clark and his successor Gary Rowett.[25] Hancox played only one first-team match in 2014–15, in the FA Cup against Blyth Spartans,[26] but he was a member of the 2015 Birmingham Senior Cup-winning team, consisting mainly of reserve-team players but also including first-teamers Matt Green and Žigić, who was making his last appearance for the club.[27]

Crawley Town (loan)

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After just one League Cup appearance in 2015–16, Hancox joined League Two club Crawley Town on a month's loan on 2 October 2015.[28] He went straight into the starting eleven for the next day's visit to Plymouth Argyle, which Crawley lost 2–1 to a very late goal.[29] In his second League Two match, at home to Leyton Orient, he scored his first senior goal. The score was 1–1 when Orient's goalkeeper Alex Cisak put the ball behind from Hancox's cross. Hancox himself took the corner, and when it was cleared he hit the loose ball past Cisak at his near post. He then made the pass that put Rhys Murphy through on goal, Murphy was fouled for a penalty that put Crawley two goals ahead, and the team held on for a 3–2 win.[30] After he started all seven of Crawley's matches during his first month with the club, his loan was extended for a second month,[31] and then a third.[32] He finished his loan spell with two goals from sixteen appearances in all competitions.[33]

Hancox played no more first-team football after returning to Birmingham. His last appearance for the club was as captain of the reserve team in the 2016 Birmingham Senior Cup final defeat to National League North champions Solihull Moors.[34] Anxious for regular football, he was released when his contract expired at the end of the season; he had been with the club for fourteen years,[35] and made 40 first-team appearances without scoring.[33]

Macclesfield Town

[edit]

Hancox signed for National League club Macclesfield Town on 4 August 2016.[36] He made his debut two days later in the opening match of the season, a 2–1 win against Torquay United, but in his third match, a 3–1 defeat of Braintree Town, he conceded a penalty and was sent off for two yellow cards.[37][38] In December 2016, Hancox signed a new deal with Macclesfield to run until the end of the 2017–18 season.[39] As well as at left-back, he also featured as a holding midfielder for Macclesfield.[39] He finished his first season with 38 National League appearances and 6 goals,[40] which included a hat-trick against Boreham Wood in March 2017,[41] and helped his team reach the 2017 FA Trophy final against York City. He was fouled for the free kick that led to Rhys Browne making the score 1–1, but Macclesfield finished on the losing side.[42]

Hancox scored his second hat-trick for Macclesfield on 1 January 2018 in a 4–1 win away to FC Halifax Town.[43] He finished the 2017–18 season with 7 goals in 39 appearances as Macclesfield were promoted to League Two as National League champions.[40][44]

Milton Keynes Dons

[edit]

Hancox rejected Macclesfield's offer of a new contract, and signed for newly-relegated League Two club Milton Keynes Dons on 21 June 2018 on a one-year contract.[45] However, following limited first team opportunities, Hancox was one of ten players released by the club at the end of the 2018–19 season.[46]

Solihull Moors

[edit]

Hancox signed for National League club Solihull Moors on 24 May 2019 on a two-year contract.[47] He made nine league appearances in the first few weeks of the season, but only two were starts.[40] After two months during which his only appearance was in the Scottish Challenge Cup[40] – Solihull Moors were one of eight non-Scottish participants[48] – he joined another National League team, Harrogate Town on loan until 5 January 2020; striker Sam Jones made a similar move in the opposite direction.[49] He made five National League appearances for Harrogate and a further ten for Solihull Moors before the season was curtailed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[40] In 2020–21 he was a regular in the matchday squad, and made 20 league appearances of which nine were as a starter,[40] before being released when his contract expired at the end of the season.[50]

Hereford and York City

[edit]
Hancox playing for York City in 2022

Hancox signed for National League North club Hereford on 18 June 2021.[51] Having begun the season as a regular in the side, his appearances became intermittent,[40] and in late October Hancox went on a month's loan at another National North club, York City, managed by Steve Watson, with whom he had worked at Birmingham and Macclesfield.[52] His loan was extended initially until January 2022[53] and then for the rest of the season. Hereford manager Josh Gowling said his club had intended to bring Hancox back into the squad in January 2022 but could not do so for financial reasons.[54] He was part of the York team that earned promotion to the National League, playing in their 2–0 win over Boston United on 21 May in the National League North play-off final.[55] Hancox was released by Hereford at the end of the season before signing for York permanently on 23 June on a one-year contract.[56][4] He was a regular in the side during the 2022–23 season, and his contract was extended for two years in January 2023,[57][58] but he fell out of favour in 2023–24.[57]

Hancox joined York City's divisional rivals, Hartlepool United on 7 November on loan until January 2024.[59][60] He made seven National League appearances, scoring once, before returning to York City, who cancelled his contract by mutual consent on 15 March 2024.[57]

Altrincham

[edit]

Later that day, Hancox joined another National League club, Altrincham.[61]

Chester

[edit]

In June 2024, Hancox signed a one-year deal with National League North club Chester.[62]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 2 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Birmingham City 2011–12[63] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012–13[16] Championship 19 0 1 0 0 0 — 20 0
2013–14[20] Championship 14 0 2 0 2 0 — 18 0
2014–15[26] Championship 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
2015–16[33] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 — 1 0
Total 33 0 4 0 3 0 0 0 40 0
Crawley Town (loan) 2015–16[33] League Two 15 2 0 0 — 1[a] 0 16 2
Macclesfield Town 2016–17[40] National League 38 6 3 0 — 8[b] 0 49 6
2017–18[40] National League 39 7 1 0 — 1[b] 0 41 7
Total 77 13 4 0 — 9 0 90 13
Milton Keynes Dons 2018–19[64] League Two 1 0 0 0 1 0 3[c] 1 5 1
Solihull Moors 2019–20[40] National League 19 1 0 0 — 2[d] 0 21 1
2020–21[40] National League 20 0 3 0 — 2[b] 1 25 1
Total 39 1 3 0 — 4 1 46 2
Harrogate Town (loan) 2019–20[40] National League 5 0 — — 1[b] 0 6 0
Hereford 2021–22[40][65] National League North 7 0 2 0 — 0 0 9 0
York City (loan) 2021–22[40] National League North 28 8 — — 9[e] 3 37 11
York City 2022–23[40] National League 37 2 2 1 — 4[b] 0 43 3
2023–24[40] National League 3 0 0 0 — 0 0 3 0
Total 40 2 2 1 — 4 0 46 3
Hartlepool United (loan) 2023–24[40] National League 7 1 — — 0 0 7 1
Altrincham 2023–24[40] National League 7 0 — — 1[f] 0 8 0
Chester 2024–25[40][66] National League North 8 0 1 0 — 0 0 9 0
Career total 267 27 16 1 4 0 32 5 319 33
  1. ^ Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup
  5. ^ Six appearances and two goals in FA Trophy, three appearances and one goal in National League North play-offs
  6. ^ Appearance in National League play-offs

Honours

[edit]

Macclesfield Town

York City

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "List of Players Registered as Scholars in Accordance with Rule C.3 Between 01/07/2010 and 31/07/2010" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  2. ^ "Mitch Hancox". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Mitch Hancox". Macclesfield Town F.C. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  4. ^ a b O'Reilly, James (23 June 2022). "Mitch Hancox signs one-year contract with York City". The Press. York. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Hancox handed squad number". Birmingham City F.C. 8 August 2012. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  6. ^ a b Evans, Gregg (30 May 2013). "The Big Interview: Mitch Hancox now living the dream after family nightmare". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  7. ^ a b Tattum, Colin (26 July 2012). "I want to be a Blues first-teamer for a long time to come – Mitch Hancox". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  8. ^ "Westley: It was a tough night". Birmingham City F.C. 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009.
  9. ^ "Westley on Senior Cup exit". Birmingham City F.C. 17 November 2009. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  10. ^ "UEFA Europa League 2012: Birmingham–Nacional". UEFA. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  11. ^ "Mitch signs-up". Birmingham City F.C. 26 May 2012. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Blues 0 Huddersfield 1". Birmingham City F.C. 6 October 2012. Archived from the original on 18 December 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  13. ^ Tattum, Colin (8 October 2012). "Birmingham City 0 Huddersfield Town 1". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  14. ^ Walker, Andy (9 October 2012). "Young pair pen extensions". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  15. ^ Tattum, Colin (25 April 2013). "Blues secure future of youngsters". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  16. ^ a b "Games played by Mitch Hancox in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  17. ^ "Mitch signs up". Birmingham City F.C. 14 May 2013. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  18. ^ Evans, Gregg (20 June 2013). "Mitch Hancox aims to play regularly for Birmingham City". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  19. ^ Tattum, Colin (15 August 2013). "Mitchell Hancox: 'I want to try and play 40 games in the season.'". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  20. ^ a b "Games played by Mitch Hancox in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  21. ^ Tattum, Colin (1 November 2013). "Mitch Hancox admits spot-kick agony will haunt him for some time". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  22. ^ Tattum, Colin (8 December 2013). "Mitch Hancox to have scan on injured knee". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  23. ^ Tattum, Colin (6 March 2014). "Birmingham City's Mitch Hancox out for a minimum of six weeks". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  24. ^ Hart, Simon (3 May 2014). "Bolton 2 Birmingham 2 match report: Paul Caddis gets Birmingham out of jail". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  25. ^ Dick, Brian (18 May 2015). "Latest Blues player heads for the exit door". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  26. ^ a b "Games played by Mitch Hancox in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  27. ^ Lewis, Peter (20 April 2015). "Blues win the Senior Cup". Birmingham City F.C. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  28. ^ Talbot, Bruce (2 October 2015). "Reds sign a Blue". Crawley Town F.C. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  29. ^ Talbot, Bruce (3 October 2015). "Report: Plymouth 2 Reds 1". Crawley Town F.C. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  30. ^ Sessions, George (10 October 2015). "10-man Orient on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller at Crawley". Docklands & East London Advertiser. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  31. ^ "Mitch Hancox: Crawley Town extend defender's loan". BBC Sport. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  32. ^ "Mitch Hancox extends Crawley stay". Birmingham City F.C. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  33. ^ a b c d "Games played by Mitch Hancox in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  34. ^ Dick, Brian (5 May 2016). "Birmingham Senior Cup final: Birmingham City U21s 1 Solihull Moors 2". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  35. ^ "Blues bid farewell to Mitch Hancox". Birmingham City F.C. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  36. ^ "Silkmen complete deal to sign Mitch Hancox". Macclesfield Town F.C. 4 August 2016. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  37. ^ "Games played by Mitch Hancox in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  38. ^ "Braintree 1–3 Macclesfield Town". Macclesfield Town F.C. 14 August 2016. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  39. ^ a b "New Silkmen deal for Hancox". Pitchero Non-League. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "M. Hancox: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  41. ^ "Boreham Wood 2–4 Macclesfield Town". BBC Sport. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  42. ^ Flett, Dave (21 May 2017). "York City lift FA Trophy to win at Wembley for a fourth time in their history". The Press. York. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  43. ^ "FC Halifax Town 1–4 Macclesfield Town". BBC Sport. Press Association. 1 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  44. ^ "National League: 2017/18". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  45. ^ "Mitch Hancox: MK Dons sign Macclesfield Town left-back on one-year deal". BBC Sport. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  46. ^ "MK Dons retained list". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  47. ^ Turner, Luke (24 May 2019). "Hancox becomes first summer signing". Solihull Moors F.C. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  48. ^ "Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Cup 2019/20". Scottish Professional Football League. 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  49. ^ Howell, Rhys (22 November 2019). "Harrogate Town add ex-Birmingham City man to their ranks". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  50. ^ "Moors announce retained and released lists". Solihull Moors F.C. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  51. ^ Goddard, Ben (18 June 2021). "Hereford FC make first summer signing". Hereford Times. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  52. ^ Kilbride, Jacob (29 October 2021). "York City loan in left-back Mitch Hancox from Hereford". The Press. York. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  53. ^ Richardson, Joe (26 November 2021). "John Askey looking to improve York City's play through intensity". The Press. York. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  54. ^ "News: Mitch Hancox to stay on loan at York City". Hereford F.C. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  55. ^ a b Kilbride, Jacob (21 May 2022). "York City secure promotion with 2–0 play-off final win". The Press. York. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  56. ^ Goddard, Ben (10 May 2022). "Hereford FC release senior players and offer six new deals". Hereford Times. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  57. ^ a b c Ramsey, Gabriel (15 March 2023). "Mitch Hancox makes York City exit by mutual consent". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  58. ^ Kennedy, Emma (17 January 2023). "Mitch Hancox extends York City stay with new two-year deal". The Press. York. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  59. ^ "Mitch Hancox joins Hartlepool United". Hartlepool United F.C. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  60. ^ Ramage, Joe (7 November 2023). "Hartlepool United agree short-term deal with York City for versatile ex-Birmingham City and MK Dons man". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  61. ^ Edwards, John (15 March 2024). "Mitch the man for Alty as midfielder signs in to bolster Robins' options". Altrincham F.C. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  62. ^ "Welcome to Chester, Mitch Hancox". Chester F.C. 22 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  63. ^ "Games played by Mitch Hancox in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  64. ^ "Games played by Mitch Hancox in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  65. ^ For FA Cup second qualifying round: Goddard, Ben (18 September 2021). "Lymington Town FC v Hereford FC – FA Cup live updates". Hereford Times. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
    For FA Cup second qualifying round replay: Goddard, Ben (22 September 2021). "Hereford FC v Lymington Town – FA Cup replay live updates". Hereford Times. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
    For FA Cup third qualifying round: Goddard, Ben (2 October 2021). "Merstham FC v Hereford FC – FA Cup - minute by minute". Hereford Times. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  66. ^ For FA Cup 3rd qualifying round: "Report: Stockton Town 1–1 Chester". Chester F.C. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
    "Report: Chester 1–0 Stockton Town". Chester F.C. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  67. ^ Anderson, John, ed. (2018). Football Yearbook 2018–2019. London: Headline. pp. 642–643. ISBN 978-1-4722-6106-9.
  68. ^ "Macclesfield Town 2–3 York City". BBC Sport. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
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