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Nathan Tate moves on, new faces arrive
Emeka Ejiofor, Gary Norton, Karl Brown
Gresley Rovers manager Gary Norton has moved swiftly to replace defender Nathan Tate by adding another major signing to his ranks in the guise of former Derby County and Barry Town defender Karl Brown.
Liverpool based Brown, 23 is a central defender but is also comfortable at full back or in midfield. He becomes Rovers 7th summer signing. The former Welsh U18,U19 and 21 international has had experience in the Spanish league with Getafe and previous non league clubs include Stafford Rangers, Hednesford Town and Northwich Victoria.On his latest signing manager Norton said "With Jamie Hood a major doubt on the eve of the season we have been talking to a few central defenders with a view to bringing someone in if Hoody broke down. I had a few options but with Nathan leaving us to join Shepshed, Karl fitted the bill perfectly. He will give both Jamie Hood and Matt Smith good competition for places but can also play left back or left midfield covering the area left by Nathan."
Tate, 20, left Rovers this week to join neighbours Shepshed Dynamo, a move which disappointed the Moat boss. "Its very disappointing to lose a player of Nathan's potential especially as we were discussing with him a new contract. Nathan has been with me for 2-3 years coming through the Reserve team and I've got a real soft spot for him. He's had a very good pre-season featuring in most of our games and stood a realistic chance of featuring heavily this season. However Nathan wanted to have guaranteed regular 1st team football and that is something I cannot or will not guarantee anyone at this club. We even reluctantly held off signing an experienced player like Paul Campbell as I felt Nathan would feature heavily in our plans this season. That said, I wish Nathan all the best at his new club. We've acted swiftly to replace him and are lucky that a player of Karl's ability and experience was available.Striker Emeka Ejiofor has also joined Rovers after impressing during trials in pre-season. "Emeka will give us great options upfront" said Norton. "He's big strong and can hold the ball up although having missed a lot of pre-season; he is still a little short on fitness. That will come and when it does he will join Justin Rowe, Aaron O'Conner, and Liam Hebbard as the clubs forward options. Again we have great competition for places in that department which is something we sorely missed last season"
