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Gresley Rovers hope of lifting the Banks’s West Midlands League championship have been dealt a stunning body blow.
Skipper and player coach Brian Attley is joining the Moatmen’s Leicestershire Senior League neighbours Stapenhill.In a considerable coup for the Edge Hill club, manager Mick Allsopp has persuaded the former Derby County defender to leave Gresley.
One of Stapenhill’s sponsors has offered the un-employed Attley a full-time job. He will make his debut in Saturday’s game at Lutterworth Town instead of helping to spearhead Rovers’ push for honours.
Rovers’ manager Frank Northwood was philosophical about Attley’s decision.
“Brian has been made an offer he can’t turn down and I can’t blame him for accepting it. I’m very disappointed, but these things happen in football. He has done a very good job for Gresley Rovers and I would be happy for him to come back at any time,” added Northwood.
Attley was lured to the Moat Ground by previous manager Roger Davies in the summer of 1984.
His performances for the Moatmen were indifferent until Northwood arrived just over 12 months ago, but since then he has become the most consistently impressive player in Gresley’s successful side.
Now he rejoins Davies at Stapenhill to the undisguised delight of Swan’s chief Mick Allsop.
“It’s tremendous news for the club and obviously I’m delighted that we have managed to sign a player of such talent and experience.”
