Clachnacuddin scoop up goalkeeper who also runs gelato business in Inverness
No goalkeeper wants butter fingers… but what about a drizzling of butterscotch?
Michael Miele, one half of the brotherly double act that runs much-loved Miele’s Gelateria in Inverness, spent last season proving he had a safe, rather than slippery - or sticky - pair of hands.
But the 31-year-old has certainly heard all the wisecracks - hundreds and thousands of them - since joining Clachnacuddin.
Last February, Michael answered a Lilywhites’ SoS call, stepping in on a short-term basis during a goalkeeping crisis.
Now, after a summer dedicated to fitness and shedding the pounds, he has secured a permanent deal to revive a Highland League career he thought was long behind him.
He and sibling David are better known for the renowned family venture they set up in 2016, using techniques passed down from their great-grandad to bring finest Italian gelato to the north of Scotland.
The Elgin-born entrepreneur explained: “I’d been training with Clach, while playing for Loch Ness. Clach had some goalkeeping issues, so asked me to help.
“I’d been out of the Highland League years, having been a youth at Caley Thistle and Elgin, before playing for Lossiemouth.
“I felt like I was pretty much out of football, with business and family life taking over.”
Michael made the number one jersey his own from February through to the season’s end, but was uncertain whether Clach would take a chance on him..
He said: “When asked, I thought ‘why not?’ I decided to challenge myself one more time.
“I’ve loved what has been going on at Clach since Conor Gethins took over. I’ve noticed big changes and I wanted to be part of it, but I was out of shape.
“I wasn’t looking good or feeling good, but was still managing to produce performances.
“Conor said go away and get yourself fit. I spent the summer really hitting the gym hard, doing all the running, and I managed to shave off a few stones.”
As anyone entering their 30s with a young family and busy job will testify, it isn’t easy. Throw in the fact that Michael was working in an ice cream factory, and the challenge was clear.
The dad of one, soon to be two, admitted: “It’s difficult, especially with the taste-testing I need to do.
“But the good thing about the gelato is it has lower calories than ice cream, so there is a bonus there!
“Rorie MacLeod, one of the lads in our team, is an online fitness coach and I’ve worked very closely with him to change my nutrition and training - it has been brilliant.
“It is more about factoring the taste-testing into my diet, rather than stopping eating anything that I enjoy.
“Of course, there have been jokes and comments. There’s a wee nickname that’s been going around from the Clach faithful - two scoops!
“I don’t mind. You block it all out on the pitch. On the field, for 90 minutes, only football matters. It’s a great release, away from busy work hours and home life.”
Clach have no shortage of goalkeepers, with Joe Malin, Daniel Rae and Martin Mackinnon (now loaned to Caley Thistle) in place.
Michael added: “My job is to make the manager’s decision as difficult as possible on game day. Who gets the number one shirt?
“We’ve got Joe Malin, arguably one of the best ever in the Highland League, and that’s the standard I need to be at.
“Myself, Joe, Dan and Martin have a great relationship and all help each other and push each other to be better.
“We want to be at the standard Joe is and take his shirt. Joe knows that and understands it, and wants us to get there too.”
