News

Gresley reached the final by beating Sussex team Littlehampton Town 2-1 on Saturday watched by a crowd of 1,800. The victory completed a 5-2 aggregate win.

Gresley manager Mr Frank Northwood said after the game: “It’s the best day of my life – it was superb.”

There was no repeat of the crowd violence that marred the two sides’ first meeting at Gresley on March 23rd. Police with video cameras scanned the crowd for troublemakers after studying photographs of a pitch invasion at Gresley in which a player was attacked. Two men were arrested before and after the game at Gresley for alleged assaults.

Club vice-chairman Mr Dennis Everitt said after his club’s victory: “I’m really proud and I hope everybody in the district will be proud too.”

South Derbyshire Council chairman Josiah Ford said: “I’m very pleased to see Gresley’s success. I hope to be at Wembley myself.”

Council leader Councillor Phil Richardson said: “I’m thrilled about it. I hope Gresley Rovers can continue to perform in such grand style and bring the trophy home to South Derbyshire.”

Thousands of Burton and South Derbyshire soccer fans are expected to go to Wembley for the final of a competition known until 1975 as the FA Amateur Cup.

Gresley have been allocated 5,000 tickets with a face value of £41,000 for the final. The tickets, priced £10, £8 and £5, are for the stadium’s West End stand and are expected to go on sale later this week. Rovers committee members are due to meet Wembley and Football Association officials on Friday to discuss arrangements.

Club treasurer Mr Peter Jenkinson said today: “I’m hoping supporters will buy their tickets in advance from Gresley Rovers because that means we will get an additional share of the proceeds.

“Interest has been very good – people have been ringing me since yesterday enquiring.”

Gresley’s success is likely to mean a bonanza for Burton and South Derbyshire tour operators, with demand certain to be high for coach and minibus hire.