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Shiels signs Moat deal
Story courtesy of Burton Mail
Rovers goalkeeper Mark Shiels has become the first contract player signed by the Moat Ground club since a Football Association ban was lifted.
In 1998, the FA imposed a ban on contract players after former players accused Gresley of failing to pay wages.But Rovers chairman Mark Evans satisfied Soho Square the Dr Martens Western Division outfit's finances were now back in order and persuaded the FA to lift its embargo.
Now Shiels has signed a one-year deal, in what the player manager John McGinlay described as "great news for the club."
Now the Moat chief is hoping others will follow suit and has confirmed five other players have also been offered contract deals.
But McGinlay's thoughts will be firmly focused on the pitch tomorrow when the Moatmen kick-off the first instalment of their second successive weekend double-header.
Top six side Redditch United are expected to give travelling Rovers a stern examination tomorrow (Sat 3pm) before they make the trip to struggling Cinderford Town (Sun 3pm) who boosted their hopes of survival with a 2-0 win over RC Warwick last night.
McGinlay's men will be desperate for points after last weekend's debacle when they lost firstly to Tiverton at home on Saturday and then at Weston-super-Mare on the Sunday.
Rovers from: Shiels, Roberts, Broadhurst, Woolley, Middleton, Wardle, Grant, Kitching, Tucker, Coates, McGinlay, Warren, Peters, Gardner.
Rovers reserves visit Willenhall Town tomorrow (2.45pm).
Reserves from: Wright, Lees, Norton, McHargh, Lewsley, Bradshaw, Pole, Kearns, Evans, Dennis, Allum, Wagstaff, Aston, Moran, Timms, Smith.
