Management Announcement
Gary Norton is to step down from his role of joint manager of Gresley Rovers FC with immediate effect to focus more on his role as director of football. The news comes after it was confirmed this week that the current Midland League season is going to be cut short due to the ongoing impact of the COVID 19 pandemic. More....
The news leaves Carl Abbott in sole charge going forwards and Norton revealed that both Carl and assistant Manager Paul Tomlinson had reached agreement with the club that will see them both remain with the club for at least the next 2 seasons. Speaking to the club’s website about the news Norton commented: “My latest spell as part of the management team at the club came after a period of time we needed a bit of stability after a difficult couple of seasons on the pitch. The board asked me to get involved again towards the end of last season initially in a caretaker capacity and then jointly with Carl Abbott at the start of this season. The plan was always for Carl to take sole charge at some point if everything went well and both the board of directors and I are delighted at what both Carl and Paul have brought to the club since arriving.”
He added: “Having turned down a couple of offers to go elsewhere during the short time they have been with us earlier in the season they made it clear that they were both really invested in the club which we were delighted with and reinforced our thoughts that these were the guys to take us forward.
“As a board, we have a lot going on behind the scenes at the club and so more of my time will be spent in that area as well as supporting Carl and his management team in my director of football role. With what we are trying to achieve off the pitch stability on it is key for us over the coming seasons or two and so with that in mind we want to give Carl the time to continue to build a team we can be proud of once more and so are delighted to announce that both he and Paul have agreed to remain with us for at least the next two seasons.”
Chairman Mark Alflat commented on the announcement, " The Gresley Board are delighted with today's announcement and the stability it gives. Fans have been delighted by the stye of play brought to the club and the results that has brought. We want to thank Gary Norton for helping the new management team bed into the Club despite a demanding job and his Director of football duties. We look forward to next season with confidence.”
