Note that this page is from our archive during the time when the club was called Gresley FC. It may not be related to the old Gresley Rovers.
Burton Albion Pre-Match News
Gresley go into their penultimate pre -season game against a Burton Albion XI tonight with manager Gary Norton showing no concern over the fact that he is still without a number of his squad for tonight’s game.
With Kane Jellyman and Carl Slater all missing through holidays and Matt Roome, Martyn Smyth and Mark Branch away on business Norton will also be without Ryan King (knee) and Kieran O’Connell (foot). Despite time running out for Norton to get all of his squad together for a warm up game Norton remains upbeat about pre-season to date.“It’s part and parcel of football at this level and you just have to get on with it.“ said Norton. "I would be great to have everyone together to look at this and that in game situations but the reality is that is peak holiday time and so that will always impact this time of the year.
"Add that to work commitments and injuries limiting availability then yes it is frustrating but it’s part of the job at this level. Rather than focus on that, I can only play the lads who are available and I’m looking forward to tonight. Again we give a number of youngsters a chance in the squad which has been a theme of pre-season and I’m excited by it.”
He added, “Lads from last season’s reserve squad like Alby Lansdowne, Zaki Evans, Jake McIntosh, Kane Lee, Connor Ward, Josh Garland and Zack Hill have been prominent in our first team squad plans so far and when you add in the like of Harry Lansdowne, Mitchell White, Brad Payne, Byron Musgrove, Callum Jenkins, Ryan Clemson and James Hemmingway who have all been involved from reserves and u18s in pre-season then no one can say we haven’t given our young lads a chance to show what they can do. When you consider the other experienced/new players we have added to the squad ahead of the new season we are really pleased and looking forward to the season. We are big on numbers squad wise at the minute, probably 3 or 4 more heavier than I would prefer but competition for places will be great in all areas of the pitch and we will see how things pan out.”
Norton confirmed that midfielder Luke Morgan has this week agreed to sign for the club as has Cameron Steele and young keeper Ben Allsop who have all been with the club during pre-season.
Burton Albion goalkeeper Jack Livesey will also feature in Norton’s squad tonight and he will also take a look at local youngster Callum Riddell in the game after being given permission by Heanor town to do so.
Norton explained, “We spoke to Callum back in May and invited him to pre-season with us and he said he would come down. However, he later let us know that it wasn’t his intention to play Saturday football but then he appeared to have a change of heart signing for Heanor recently. He’s a local lad who we are keen to see if he has what it takes to do something at this level so I spoke to the Heanor manager last night who kindly agreed for us to include him tonight to take a look.”
Squad Allsop, Livesey, Allen, Morgan, A Lansdowne, H Lansdowne, Barrett, Harrison, Lee, McIntosh, Ward, Hill, Garland, Steele, Graves, Morris Clarke, Evans, Steadman, Ridell, White