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).
Midland Floodlit Youth League
Gresley Rovers are to re-introduce a Youth team into the Midland Floodlit Youth League next season after an absence of two years. The club's Midweek Youth team will be managed by 1st team assistant manager Steve Hinks.
The shake-up will see the club's current youth team who have played in the Burton and District league for the last two seasons become the club's 'A' side. They will continue in the same competition under the guidance of Steve Gee who will look to build upon this year's cup success.Speaking about the changes to the clubs team structure manager Gary Norton said: "For various reasons the decision was made a couple of years ago to remove our Youth Team from the Midweek Floodlit League. Our new Chairman Mark Harrison is a big advocate of both community involvement and the development of youth players and we think that the new "structure will fully support both of these aspects.
"Collectively we agreed that it is in the best interests of the club to have a side in the Floodlit Youth League next season so that we can again attract the right quality of young player to the club.
"We sat down and discussed our thoughts a couple of weeks ago with Steve Gee and told him of our plans going forward and he is happy to continue the work he has been doing over the last two seasons. He is Gresley Rovers through and through and has done a fantastic job running his side culminating in last week's cup final success and we want him to continue in that over the coming seasons.
"Both sides will be hugely important components of our clubs infrastructure. Our 'A' Side will continue to keep us involved with the community side of things whilst the re-introduction of the Youth team into the floodlit league will again enable us to attract the right calibre of player to the club so that it has a chance of providing 1st team players of the future."
He added: "Our 'A' side will provide continued opportunity for those players who want to play for Gresley Rovers to do so. In addition, any of Steve Gee's 'A' squad who are both good enough and at the right age will have the opportunity to become part of the clubs Midweek Youth side whilst 'A' side players who are considered good enough but too old for the youth team could progress through to our Reserve side.
"The 'A' side will also continue to provide a strong link to our junior set up and offer players the opportunity to remain involved with the club should they wish to do so when they become too old for our juniors sides.
"Steve Hink's will continue in his role as my 1st team assistant manager as well as the Youth Team role and whilst we envisage that there may be occasional conflicts with his new role, they will be both minimal and manageable. Steve is an excellent coach and has so much to offer and as such we have increased his responsibilities accordingly.
"In addition, he has a fantastic network of quality young players at his disposal, many of whom will have the potential ability to push for 1st team places. You only have to look at the likes of Jordan Nadat and Andy Roberts who Steve recruited for the club recently.
"Both will be eligible for our Youth team next season but having finished the last season in the first team are very much considered part of our squad for next season."
Trials for the team are planned for Saturday 31st May and Saturday 14th June. Prospective players must be under 18 years of age before 31st August 2008.
Anyone wishing to book a place on the trial days are asked to ring Steve Hinks on 0797 275 7647 or Tony Kirkland on 07506 741 764