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).
Honoured Guest
Story courtesy of
Michael Guest breezed back into the Moat Ground this week and declared: “I can’t wait to get back into a Gresley shirt.”
The much-travelled utility man, who began his career with Halesowen Town, is poised to embark on his second spell with Rovers after stints with Halesowen Harriers and Beazer Premier outfit Bromsgrove Rovers.And while the 27-year-old has enjoyed his football elsewhere – getting back to full fitness in the meantime from a series of operations – he said: “There’s no match for this club in my experience. They’re such a fantastic set of people at Gresley – and another attraction is the fact that the manager always insists on his teams playing good football.”
Guest was hopeful of a look-in against his former club, Harriers, in tomorrow’s West Midlands League clash but competition for places has heightened with the simultaneous arrival of full back or midfielder Jason Darkes.
Darkes joins Rovers from Beazer Midland club Dudley Town after a spell with Worcester City in the premier division last season.
The 21-year-old learned his trade in a two-and-a-half-year stint with Everton, appearing at Wembley for the Goodison club’s youth side.
He moved on to West Midlands Leaguers Paget Rangers, making a string of appearances against Gresley, before joining Worcester for a £2,500 fee.
He was eventually released on a free transfer but Moat boss Frank Northwood said this week: “Worcester manager Ally Robertson went on record at the time that he was sorry to see Darkes go and felt it could turn out to be a big mistake. He’s a young lad with a lot of experience and we hoped he’ll do well for us.”
Saturday September 28th is a big day for Gresley – in more ways than one.
They entertain Beazer Premier leaders VS Rugby in a mouthwatering FA Cup second qualifying round tie, while on the same day the club opens its new shop and office, sponsored by Bass.
Available for the first on that day will be a new book officially recording the club’s FA Vase heroics of last season, written by programme editor Brian Spare.
At the same time, a second permanent record of the Wembley run, in the form of a montage of press cuttings and photographs donated by the Burton Mail, will be unveiled.
