English footballer
Oliver Ben Battersby (born 23 July 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Northern Premier League club FC United of Manchester.
Battersby spent time with Grimsby Town as a youngster before moving to Sheffield United's academy. He returned to Grimsby and signed professional terms in 2018, he has since spent time on loan in non-league with Lincoln United, Mickleover Sports, Gateshead, Belper Town, Hereford and Ilkeston Town.
Career
Grimsby Town
Battersby began his career with Grimsby Town at the age of nine-years old. In 2016 he signed for Sheffield United's academy but returned to Grimsby's youth team setup the following season and would eventually sign professional terms in 2018.[2]
In August 2019, Battersby signed a one-month loan deal for Lincoln United.[3][4] In 2020, he signed for Mickleover Sports on loan but suffered a broken hand on his debut and returned to Grimsby the following week.[5]
Grimsby manager Ian Holloway called in live on air to Talksport radio presenter and Billericay Town manager Jamie O'Hara to offer Battersby to the club on a loan following an injury crisis, however the player never ended up moving.[6]
On 10 November 2020, Battersby made his first team debut in a 3–1 defeat at home to Leicester City in the EFL Trophy.[7] On 24 December he signed a short-term loan deal with Gateshead,[8] although he was recalled five-days later following a positive COVID-19 result for first choice goalkeeper James McKeown.[9]
In October 2021, he signed with Belper Town on a three-month loan, impressing manager Grant Black following the end of his stay with Black saying "We would just like to say a massive thanks to Ollie for how he has performed and acquitted himself whilst in loan at Belper from Grimsby Town. He has played a huge part in where we are currently in the table and some saves he has made will live long in the memory. He has been a pleasure to work with and his attitude to improve and technical ability leaves me in no doubt he will go on and have a fantastic professional football career."[10]
In March 2022, Battersby signed for Hereford on an emergency loan deal following a Covid outbreak that had effected both the clubs goalkeepers, he played one game for the club before returning to Grimsby.[11]
Battersby would make his full league debut for Grimsby on 15 May 2022 in a 4–4 draw away at Eastleigh.[12] Grimsby secured promotion with victory in the play-off final, though Battersby was not in the matchday squad at London Stadium.[13]
In the summer of 2022, Battersby signed a new one-year contract.[14] On 27 September 2022, he joined Ilkeston Town on loan until January 2023.[15]
On 9 May 2023, it was announced that Battersby would not be retained for the 2023–24 season and would be leaving the club when his contract expires on 30 June.[16]
Non-League
On 26 August 2023, Battersby signed for Northern Premier League club Guiseley on a short-term deal to cover for first choice Brad Wade who was absent for personal reasons.[17] Following an impressive start to his Guiseley career during his first five games, Battersby signed an extended contract until the end of the 2023–24 season.[18]
In July 2024, Battersby joined Gainsborough Trinity.[19]
Honours
Grimsby Town
References
External links
