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Rovers axe star pair
Story courtesy of
Gresley Rovers boss Frank Northwood has carried out his threat of a Moat Ground shake-up by parting company with goalkeeper Bob Aston and striker Carl Rathbone.
Aston, a mainstay of Rovers’ rise to prominence under Northwood, is the principal casualty of Saturday’s FA Vase defeat at Newcastle.But Northwood denied the Potteries-based player was being made the scapegoat for Rovers’ failure to repeat last season’s epic journey to Wembley.
He said: “It isn’t just because of our Vase KO that I’ve decided it’s time for Bob to go. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for some time.
“Bob’s 37 now and he’s dropped a few clangers this season. It’s the right time to make a change.”
The veteran Gresley manager admitted: “It’s one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make since I came to the club. Bob is a super guy and over the years he’s done a great job. I feel he’ll find another club quickly and try to prove me wrong.”
Aston joined Rovers from Eastwood Hanley in 1987 and made 233 first team appearances. His place goes to Tony Moore, who has been recalled from his long-term loan spell with Barlestone St Giles and goes straight into Rovers’ team for Saturday’s West Midlands League game at home to Rocester.
Rathbone’s departure is less of a surprise because he has struggled to recapture last season’s form.
Northwood said: “Carl’s a good footballer, but he’s not been doing the business for us. He doesn’t want to leave and he’s asked me to give him another chance when he’s had a month off. I’ll have to give some thought to that proposition when the time arrives.”
The former Tamworth and Bromsgrove player scored 19 times in 64 appearances for Gresley.
