The Bootiful Game Issue 2 The Bootiful Game Issue 2 | Page 46

Kieran Wells
The Max Branning of NCEL...
As any number of defenders
in the Northern Counties East
League Premier Division can
testify, Kieran Wells is
undoubtedly one of the
hottest properties around at
this level. Since arriving at
Handsworth Parramore in
March 2015 from Midland
League side Long Eaton
United, the 23 year old from
Nottinghamshire has been a
breath of fresh air around the
club, writes Ian Robinson.
" After a short debut
appearance from the bench
against Hallam in the League
Cup, Wells introduced himself to
The Ambers faithful two days
later when, in his first start, he
grabbed a devastating hat trick
in just three remarkable
minutes, and followed this up
with four further strikes in his
next five appearances. 
" The stage was now set for his
finest hour on 4th May 2015 and
the NCEL League Cup Final
against Cleethorpes Town in a
game that will be long
remembered by all who
attended. Despite fearful
barracking from The Owls
supporters throughout, Wells
kept plugging away and almost
single- handedly dragged The
Ambers back from the jaws of
defeat by way of two goals in
the last six minutes, paving the
way for an injury time winner
from Sam Smith. 
" Whether it was his
performance in the game or the
way he good naturedly took the
abuse from the Cleethorpes
fans who had christened him
“Max Branning”, it was the start
of an enduring relationship and
a grudging admiration towards
him that remains to this day. 
His record for his first season in
a Handsworth shirt read 7
appearances plus 1 from the
bench, scoring 9 goals. 
" The 2015 – 2016 season
began with a new strike partner
for Wells following the departure
of Smith to National League
North side Alfreton Town. In
came the experienced and
prolific Jon Froggatt, a former
team mate at Belper Town, and
he proved to be the perfect foil
for Kieran. 
Both extremely hardworking and
deadly in front of goal, the pair
were the scourge of opposing
defenders in the NCEL and
beyond as they plundered an
amazing 80 goals between them
to share the Premier Division’s
Golden Boot. Froggatt, as senior
partner led the way for most of
the season but Wells was never
that far behind, despite his team
mate having the advantage of
being the teams penalty taker
and free kick expert. 
" Wells hit the ground running
on the opening day of the
season by bagging a brace
against Pickering Town, and by
the end of the month he had
doubled his tally. September
brought about a four game
scoring sequence starting
against AFC Liverpool in the FA
Vase, a competition which Wells
took to with great aplomb.
Before The Ambers run was
Issue 01 @TheBootifulGame 46