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After a number of discussions with fellow board members in the hours that followed that meeting, I feel incredibly honoured and privileged to have been given the opportunity to try and carry on the great work that Mark has done in the last few years. I really do hope that I can do the job justice for everyone connected with the club and especially and most importantly for our supporters.

Having proudly joined Gresley Rovers as a fresh faced 24yr old in 1998 playing for our Reserve team I have absolutely loved my time at the club in all of the roles I have held, and I genuinely look forward to the next chapter and challenge ahead. The 2022/23 season will be my 25th with the club and what a season that milestone promises to be with promotion back to Step 4 on the pitch and off the pitch the final council approval and confirmation of our long-awaited move to a new ground development inching ever closer. (We are hoping to announce news on this very soon).

Mark Alflat has done a brilliant job in moving the club forward both on and off the pitch in recent seasons and proved himself to be a great leader as Chairman. I wish to publicly thank Mark on behalf of the board of directors and the wider club for a job well done. I'm sure I echo the thoughts of our supporters in that sentiment. For reasons of his own Mark has decided to take a well-earned step back and hand over the baton to someone else and we very much hope he will continue to being involved with the club in some capacity going forward and I know he is looking forward to watching our games without the pressures the job as Chairman of a football club like ours inevitably entails.

It’s a genuine honour and privilege to pick up the baton from Mark and get to work as Chairman alongside our incredible owner (Pete Robinson) who is working so hard to make our move to a new ground a reality, and our hugely committed board of directors. I thank them all for trusting and backing me in stepping forward to take on the role of Chairman. Before I close, I wanted to share a personal anecdote with you all I've often recalled over the years.

I occasionally over the years recall a conversation (around 2006, three years into my tenure as first team manager) with our then Chairman Mark Evans who following a successful fans forum meeting said to me "you are a future Chairman of this club". Over the years I've often recalled that memory, but not once did I remotely believe that this proclamation would ever become a reality, nor has it ever been a realistic aspiration of mine. 16 years down the line here we are and I am as proud today as the first day I joined this magnificent club back in 2008.

I really hope that I can do the job I've been entrusted with as Chairman and, just as you all are, I am looking forward to the coming season immensely. We will have ups and downs and I will make mistakes along the way as I learn the role but with the support of our owner, board of directors, volunteers and most importantly our supporters I'm convinced we will work together and continue to move our great club from strength to strength both on and off the pitch.

Finally, if you’re attending our presentation evening at Colliery lane lodges of Friday evening, I look forward to seeing you all and joining us in hopefully thanking Mark for his amazing service. I hope to see as many of you there as possible to celebrate our promotion and award winners for both our First and Reserve teams.

"Forza Gresley"
Gary

Note : End of season award evening is this coming Friday at Colliery Lane Lodges, Linton, DE12 GPH. Tickets £10 Adults, £2 children, Food and Live entertainment provided. Pay on the door or contact a board member to reserve your place