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).
Runners-up Rovers pick up silver
Story courtesy of Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers received the Beazer Midland runners-up trophy on Saturday after Nuneaton Borough clinched the championship with a 5-1 win over Evesham.
Rovers’ slim hopes of overhauling Borough were dashed in the first half of an ill-tempered clash with Rushden & Diamonds at Nene Park.While Rovers trailed 2-0 at the interval, eventually losing 3-1, Borough had raced to a 3-0 half time lead and the retrospective trophies were winging their way to their destinations.
Defeat did not dampen Rovers’ celebrations, however, with more than 200 fans travelling down from South Derbyshire to salute their team.
Manager Steve Dolby was happy to see the final game of the season out of the way, saying simply: “We’d done all our hard work before today and the outcome didn’t really matter. I’m just glad we didn’t get any injuries.”
Contractors worked through the holiday weekend to bring the Moat Ground up to Beazer Premier standard.
Club officials awaiting a mandatory inspection by league officials plan to show off covered accommodation for 1,000 fans, a completely enclosed pitch, new emergency lighting and new press and communications centre, while further improvements to the playing surface are also underway.
Commercial director Frank McArdle said today: “The club has got to match the heights that the players have reached. The spectators with their attendance through the turnstiles and the contributions of our main sponsors, Bass and Hepworths plc, have meant that the players will get what they deserve, which is Beazer Premier football.”
