Michael John Twiss (born 26 December 1977) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. He scored 95 goals in 458 competitive matches in a 15-year career.
He spent most of the 1998–99 season on loan with Sheffield United in the First Division. His first senior goal came on 28 December, scoring a late winner over Huddersfield Town in a 2–1 victory at Bramall Lane.[9] He returned to Manchester United in March 1999, having only started four games for the Blades, coming on as a substitute 13 times.
He joined Football Conference club Leigh RMI in time for the start of the 2001–02 season.[13] There, Twiss found himself at a more comfortable level and had a successful season at the club, scoring 15 goals in 34 games, becoming the club's top scorer.[14]
Chester City
He joined Conference rivals Chester City for the 2001–02 season.[15][16] He had a quiet season in 2002–03, but did make 36 appearances in all competitions. He did not play in either leg of the play-off semi-final defeat to Doncaster Rovers. The 2003–04 season saw Chester promoted as champions, Twiss scoring six goals in 31 games despite being absent from manager Mark Wright's first-team plans from October to January.[7] In January 2004 Morecambe offered Chester £5,000 for his services,[17] but the deal did not go through.[7]
Morecambe
Twiss remained in the Conference for the 2004–05 season, signing with Morecambe in May 2004,[18] after rejecting a new contract at Chester.[19] Performing well at Christie Park, Ian Rush, now manager of old club Chester, offered Morecambe £50,000 for his return, a bid which was rejected.[20] In March 2005 he was singled out for praise, due to his consistent scoring.[21] Again a solid performer in the 2005–06 season, Morecambe crept into the play-offs, only to be defeated by Hereford United. Twiss scored 11 goals in the 2006–07 season before damaging medial ligaments in February.[22][23] He did however, make it back in time for the play-offs,[24] and was part of the Morecambe side that won the Conference play-off final 2–1 over Exeter City at Wembley.[25] A long-term contract signed in December 2006 would keep him signed to Morecambe until June 2010.[26] He helped Morecambe to survive in their first season in League Two, as they finished 11th and reached the semi-final of the Football League Trophy. Bury aimed to achieve his signature in July 2008, but did not get far.[27]York City attempted to sign him in August 2008, but this ended as Twiss wanted to stay in the Lancashire area.[28] After gradually falling out of favour he was released by Morecambe in March 2010.[29]
Stalybridge Celtic
Twiss was immediately snapped up by Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic, managed by ex-Morecambe boss Jim Harvey.[30] Twiss made his debut for Stalybridge in a 1–0 defeat against Southport on 8 March.[31] He went on to make a total of ten appearances for the "Celts" in the remainder of the 2009–10 season, playing in three victories and seven defeats.[32]
Altrincham
In June 2010, Twiss signed a one-year deal with Conference club Altrincham.[33] After sixteen starts and sixteen substitute appearances in 2010–11, he signed a new contract the following summer, despite the club's relegation into the Conference North.[34] He was released at the end of the 2011–12 season by manager Lee Sinnott, after Altrincham failed to reach the play-offs.
^ abBostock, Adam (4 May 2010). "De Laet's delight". ManUtd.com. Manchester United Football Club. Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
^"Leigh sign Twiss". LeighRMI-Mad.co.uk. Leigh Railway Mechanics Institute Football Club. 26 September 2001. Archived from the original on 23 July 2002. Retrieved 3 April 2020.