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Austin: let me stay
Story courtesy of Burton Mail
Brilliant keeper Karl Austin is ready to turn down a move to non-league giants Kettering and fight for a place in the plans of Gresley Rovers’ boss Frank Northwood.
Northwood revealed last night that Rovers were on the brink of accepting a £2,000 offer for Austin from Alan Buckley’s GM Vauxhall Conference side.But last-gasp talks with the 25 year-old Moat Ground star ended with a “don’t sell me” plea.
Speculation about Austin’s future was rife when he failed to report for training with teammates last month.
Northwood said: “We heard nothing from him, but as a contract player we were determined he would go only on our terms. Kettering came in with a substantial offer that Atherstone were also prepared to match.
“But Karl turned up at Gresley on Saturday and made it clear that he wanted to stay. He’s had a few problems this summer, but they’ve been sorted out now and he’s prepared to fight for his place. Obviously, I’m very pleased about that because he’s a class player.”
It means a straight fight between Austin – regarded as one of the best keepers in the Banks’s League – and newcomer Mark Deville for a place in the Gresley’s line-up when their league campaign gets underway on August 15th.
Deville, a former Stafford Rangers and Leek Town player, is also highly rated and seemed certain to win Northwood’s vote until Austin’s return to the Moat Ground.
Rovers face their toughest pre-season test so far tomorrow when they meet Beazer Homes League Premier Division side Shepshed Charterhouse at the Moat Ground (7.30 pm).
