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Story courtesy of Burton Mail
Brian Beresford bade a fond farewell to Gresley Rovers this week insisting: “I love the club – but I don’t want to spend my time sitting on the substitute’s bench.”
Despite adding 17 goals this season to a non-league career now nearing an astonishing 500, Beresford has been handed the number 12 shirt more often than not in recent weeks.He confessed last night: “I was seriously thinking of leaving Gresley weeks ago. Then out of the blue Stapenhill came in for me and I decided it was the right move to make.
“I weighed up the pros and cons of the move – there doesn’t seem any way that Gresley can miss out on the Banks’s League title this season and could even be on their way to Wembley – I sincerely hope they are.
“But I’m 36 now and nearing the end of my career and I want to keep playing. I’m feeling pretty fit and I’ve been playing well and scoring a lot of goals this season – doing the business as they say. But Frank Northwood has got his views and ideas and as the manager he’s entitled to them.
“There’s been no hassle whatsoever about the move – its all been very amicable. Everybody knows I love Gresley Rovers and the fans.
“But I’m happy to come back to Stapenhill because I think I can do a job for them. It might have been a step down for me last time I moved here but they’ve come on in leaps and bounds since they left the Leicestershire Senior League.
“In many ways the Combination is a more competitive league than the Banks’s – there are a lot more draws and the odd goal here and there can make all the difference.
“Stapenhill might not have the resources Gresley have but the club isn’t at a standstill – it’s moving forward steadily and I’m looking forward to playing my part.”
