News

Ambitious Gresley Rovers have already taken delivery of 500 wooden tip-up seats, which had to be ripped out of Old Trafford as a result of fire regulations brought into force in the wake of the Bradford City disaster.

Now Rovers are widening the scope of their ground improvement scheme earmarked for the summer to make full use of the seating, which cost them £200.

Gresley already had plans to build a small new seater stand opposite the main stand.

Work on the steel frame for the new structure is already underway and 100 of the seats should be in place in the new stand by the start of next season.

Rovers have also decided to extend the seating capacity of the stand in the dressing room block, which currently houses benches, which spent most of their life as pews in a local Methodist Church.

Gresley plan to extend the roof to the touchline and install as many of the remaining Old Trafford seats as possible at pitch level.

Gresley have to thank eagle-eyed committeeman Rod Summers for picking up the seating so cheaply.

They had originally been bought by Lancaster City for their quaintly-named Giant Axe ground.

But the North West Counties League side decided to part with the seats, still lying unused, when vandals damaged the stand for which they were intended.

Mr Summers spotted them being advertised in a non-league football magazine and Gresley swiftly put in a bid which the Lancastrian side accepted.

The development of the ground is further proof of Gresley’s determination to improve facilities as part of their long-term aim of gaining promotion to the Southern League.

That, of course, could come earlier than they had hoped for if Halesowen Town now within sight of their fourth successive West Midlands League title, are again rejected by the Southern League grading committee.

In that event, Gresley could be invited to step up, though they will probably have to finish ahead of Atherstone United to achieve such a distinction – and probably means they will have to secure runners-up spot.

Gresley did their chances no harm at all at The Dell Sports Stadium on Wednesday night when they crushed Oldswinford 6-0.

Brian Beresford snatched four goals to take his tally for the season to 36 as Gresley gave a further demonstration of their huge potential.

In an ordinary season Rovers might well have emerged as champions. But, of course, Halesowen, are no ordinary side and it will still be a considerable achievement for Northwood if he can pilot his side to second place in his first full season in charge at the Moat Ground.