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).
Third time lucky
Story courtesy of Matthew Birt
Gresley Rovers’ long-running battle to join the Beazer Homes League Midland Division has ended in triumph after league officials were satisfied the Moat Ground was fit to stage a higher standard of football.
Reactions of joy and relief from the club greeted the news that the long wait was finally over after being rejected on their previous two applications.Delighted chairman Peter Hall said: “I’m over the moon, this club, the players and supporters deserve the promotion and now it has finally happened it is fantastic.
“We have done a lot of work recently and I would like to thank all the volunteers and everybody associated with the club who made this happen.”
The news followed weeks of anxiety for the club who had twice suffered the anguish of being rejected because the Moat Ground did not comply with league regulations.
But re-development work has transformed the ground and already, on-field matters are taking pride of place as manager Steve Dolby seeks to build a side capable of doing well in the Midland Division.
“I will be looking to bring in three new players during the close season who will benefit Gresley Rovers,” he said. “The lads here now will get their chance in the team to show what they can do because they deserve it, one or two have been here for years and will not be discarded.”
He added: “I know the Midland Division quite well and I believe we can finish in the top six in our first season. It is obviously a tougher league but we can do well. I’m delighted for the players. If we had been rejected again I think many would have left the club.”
Rovers, who have won the West Midlands League Premier Division title two years in succession and visited the famous twin towers of Wembley in the FA Vase final, but could still not win promotion were congratulated by Dennis Strudwick, secretary of the Beazer league.
He said: “Gresley Rovers have overcome their ground problems and we are delighted to see them in our league. We have always said that we want the best clubs to be a part of the Midlands league and Gresley are one of those clubs.”
Ex-manager Frank Northwood also wished the side well saying: “I am pleased for the lads and Steve and hope they do well next season. If I had been manager I would have wanted five new players because I believe in winning and not just consolidating your position and with that number of changes Gresley could do well.”
