Note that this page is from our Gresley Rovers archive. It may not be related to the new Gresley Rovers (formerly Gresley FC until 2020).
Story courtesy of Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers were today poised to settle a ground-sharing scheme with promotion hunting Central Midlands League side Mickleover RBL.
Subject to an all clear being sounded by brewers Bass, from who Gresley lease their ground, Mickleover will be playing all their home ties next season at the Moat Ground.Mickleover manager Tony Shaw was waiting for the go-ahead from the FA today after the Central Midlands League gave their backing to the scheme.
The move would give the southern Derbyshire side their best bet for promotion after winning the Premier Division title for two seasons running but being denied Supreme Division soccer because of a lack of floodlights.
Rovers chairman Peter Hall said: “They came to us and were originally looking at playing eight matches at the Moat Ground but the Central Midlands League committee would not accept that.
“Mickleover were told they have to play all their home matches on one ground, which would be ours. It is now down to Bass as to whether we can loan the ground out because it does not belong to us.”
Hall said the scheme could provide a financial reward for Rovers but there was the problem of added wear to the Moat Ground pitch.
“That was one reason we would not have a reserve team this season but would keep the youth side. It costs a lot to run a football club and it would help us from a financial point of view but the scheme would involve extra work,” he added.
Gresley have added another match to their pre-season build up, against HFS Loans Leaguers Leek at the Moat Ground on Thursday (7.30pm).
