News

Jepson's recent managerial experience includes a spell at Step 3 with Basford United last season and assistant manager and coaching roles at Ilkeston Town prior to that. He took charge at Basford last season when they were winless rock bottom of the league and facing relegation but successfully guided them to a position of safety before his departure in February this year. His managerial experience also includes a successful stint at Eastwood CFC, where he earned promotion from Step 6, as well as brief periods as player-manager at AFC Hinckley and Rugby Town.

Jepson has named former Rovers teammate Marc Goodfellow as his assistant. Goodfellow, like Jepson, was part of the club's Alliance title-winning side in the 2011/12 season and previously made 105 appearances for Gresley Rovers. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having enjoyed an extensive professional playing career with clubs such as Stoke City, Bristol City, Swansea City, Grimsby Town, Bury, Burton Albion, and Port Vale.

Jepson will take the reins from interim management team of Paul Tomlinson and Gary Norton following Carl Abbott's decision to step away from football, announced on October 26th.

Commenting on the appointment, Chairman Gary Norton said, "We are really pleased to welcome James to the club as our manager. He is someone we have previously considered approaching when the manager's position had been available in the past. He's recently been working abroad but having found he had returned to the UK permanently, discussions started earlier this week and things developed quickly from there. Paul Tomlinson and I had committed to covering the role on an interim basis for as long as needed following Carl Abbott's departure. This meant that, as a club, we didn't feel it was necessary to advertise the position this time around. Our aim was to provide stability for the squad after Carl left, and Paul kindly agreed to remain with us for as long as he was needed, with my support. As things panned out, we were both fully prepared to continue in the role for an extended period, knowing it might last 3 weeks, 3 months, or even until the end of the season.

"That said, when we, as a club, learned that James was back in the UK permanently from a work assignment, we wanted to take the opportunity to speak with him about the job. Things developed quickly from there."

He added, "James and I have spoken at length over the last 48 hours about the role and our expectations of him within it, and we are fully aligned on where we want to be moving forwards. The last couple of years, for a number of reasons, have not gone as we would have liked on the pitch, and James has a big job on his hands in turning things around to get us back on an upward trajectory. That's the least our supporters deserve moving forwards. His immediate priorities include rebuilding our respectability by improving our current league position and laying foundations for long-term success beyond that."

Norton concluded, "I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to Paul and the rest of the interim management team for their invaluable support over the past few weeks. James will undoubtedly be speaking with them as he finalises his backroom staff, and while the outcomes of those discussions remain to be seen, I cannot thank those individuals enough for their efforts in maintaining stability for the squad during this transitional period."

Jepson himself shared his excitement about re-joining Gresley Rovers, saying, "It's a special feeling to return to Gresley Rovers as manager. This club has always held a special place in my heart, and I'm honoured to take on this role. I'm committed to building on the club's rich history and working hard to make our passionate fan base proud. My focus will be on developing a strong, disciplined squad that plays attractive, winning football."