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).
Just the Guy to lift the Moatmen
Story courtesy of Burton Mail
Three successive but unconvincing wins behind him, Gresley Rovers’ boss Frank Northwood is hoping his team will soon start reproducing the sparkle that made them such a delight to watch both at the end of last season and earlier in this one.
With this in mind, Northwood has carried out his promise to bolster the Moat Ground playing staff by bringing in two new faces this week.One, that of Guy Hall , is hardly unfamiliar to followers of local football. The Rolleston-based utility forward and midfielder has been on Burton Albion’s staff for three seasons without ever making a tremendous impact at first team level.
Northwood is hoping that won’t be the case at the Moat Ground. Hall comes highly recommended after his Eton Park walkout.
“I’ve gone on what people such as Steve Dolby and Clive Arthur have told me about Guy, because I must confess that whenever I’ve been down to Eton Park he’s not been given much of a chance – although that was when Neil Warnock was manager,” said Northwood last night.
“But he looked pretty sharp in training with us this week and he’ll go straight into the side in the centre of midfield for the visit of Brereton.”
Northwood is looking to Hall to give his side a bit of bite in the centre, where the talented duo of Rob Philpott and Jon Laws are talented but lightweight artisans.
“I want Hall to win the ball for us and put himself around in the way that Bobby Atkins did for Tamworth at the Moat ground last Saturday,” said Northwood.
“If he can get forward into the box I’m sure we can give him the service to score a few goals too. He’s got the right build for a West Midlands League player – and he’s another local lad and that’s a good thing for Gresley.”
Hall isn’t the only Moat Ground new boy this week. Defender Nick Sales this week put pen to paper for the Rovers after an unhappy spell with Tamworth.
Northwood was alerted to Sales’ availability by a contact at his former club Hinckley Athletic, and moved in quickly to sign the defender ahead of title rivals Atherstone.
The 26 year-old had two seasons with the Leicestershire club and played in the 4-0 win over Rovers earlier this season. But he was unhappy with the midfield role foisted upon him at Tamworth and has joined Gresley with the promise of a place in the back four.
