From South Derbyshire to Wembley in Eight Simple Steps

Welcome avid readers! To another instalment of Moat Matters with me your seasoned guide to all things Gresley...Elvis Gresley!
And so another campaign is dawning on the horizon, Promising euphoric highs and gut wrenching lows as always, but before we delve into the traditional pre-season conjecture and prophesying over what may transpire in the coming ten months, let's take a quick glance back at the past to remember the events which have lead us to this point in time...

June 2009 – After struggling with fiscal difficulties for several years, A decision is taken to liquidate Gresley Rovers FC, Bringing to an end 127 years of Rovers tradition. However it is soon announced that the club will reform under the moniker Gresley FC ahead of the 2009/10 campaign where they will compete in the East Midlands Counties League whilst still calling the 2,000 capacity Moat Ground home after agreeing a deal to rent the land back from a private contractor.

May 2011 – After coming a close second to Dunkirk FC in their inaugural season, Gresley go on to pip Borrowash Town to the EMCL title on the final day of the season under the guidence of former player Gary Norton, Scoring 109 goals over the course of the campaign.

May 2012 – The Moatmen secure back to back promotions by winning the Midlands Alliance crown by piping Herefordshire side Westfields to the title, replicating local rivals Coalville Town's success in the previous season and thus returning the club to the level at which Rovers last played before their demise. There is also a Coalville charity cup victory to celebrate following a 5-1 demolition of Ellistown.


June 2012 – After managing the club to two promotions in three years Gary Norton steps down from his position due to commitments to his scaffolding firm, Norton's assistant Martin Rowe decides to follow him out of the club.
Youth coach Rick Beale is promoted to the vacant managers position, In doing so becoming the youngest manager in the league at the tender age of just 25. Beale's first act as manager was to hire former Stoke City and Cardiff striker Peter Thorne as his assistant.

July 2012 – Beale introduces several new faces to his squad, midfielder Jamie Sheldon arrives from Sutton Coldfield, Goalkeeper Luke Owen is signed on free after failing to make the grade at Cambridge United as are young fullbacks Kallum O'Kane and Ben Carlisle who were trained at Barnsley and Sheffield United respectively.

September 2012 – Gresley get off to an excellent start in Evo-Stik division one South, beginning the campaign by constructing a nine game unbeaten run in all competitions which included an impressive 4-1 win over rivals Rocester in the FA cup.
The run eventually comes to an abrupt end at the hands of top of the table Stamford who ease to a 3-0 victory at the Daniels Stadium, Stamford would not relinquish their hold of first place until April.

October 2012 – Gresley cause an FA cup upset by scalping Blue Square North side Worcester City in a replay at City's St. Georges Lane, sixteen year old Graham Byers gave the visitors an unexpected lead before an 92nd minute Rob Elvins goal levelled for Worcester and sent the game to extra time where a 101st minute strike from top scorer Jordan Nadat clinched victory for the Moatmen. Their hopes of qualifying for the FA Cup proper were eventually dashed in the fourth round of qualification by nearby Nuneaton Town, The Conference side narrowly pipping Gresley 1-0 at the Moat to deny the home side a dream tie with Sheffield United.

January 2013 – A new years day clash with arch rivals Coalville ends in an anti-climactic 0-0 draw, The result does however take Gresley to seven games unbeaten as they climb to second in the table, trailing Stamford by five points, The top two would meet in the very next game, This time it was the Moatmen who emerged victorious thanks to a Nadat brace, taking Gresley within touching distance of Stamford. There was a further victory over Buxton in the Doodson Sports cup before defeats to Matlock and Witton Albion sent the South Derbyshire side crashing out of two knock-out competitions in a week (Doodson Sports cup and Derbyshire senior cup)

Febuary 2013 – James Jepson's injury time winner against third place Kings Lynn sends Gresley top of the table for two days, Stamford however use a game in hand to reclaim the top spot as it becomes clear that the competition for the championship is going to be a two horse race between the two.


March 2013 – Gresley's title hopes take a blow as they suffer successive league defeats for the first time all season, both to struggling sides as they go down to relegation battlers Romulus and then Brigg Town to cut them four points adrift of Stamford with six games to go. The Moatmen do bounce back however to prevent the gap from becoming insurmountable by beating Hucknall Twn and then hammering nearby Chasetown 4-0 thanks to a brace from loan striker Charisma Agbonlahor, (Gabby's brother) Jamie Barrett and a Jordan Nadat brace.

April 2013 – Wins over rivals Coalville Town, Birmingham based Sutton Coldfield and a draw with yet another neighbouring club in the guise of Loughborough Dynamo send us top as Stamford buckle under the pressure, Gresley go into their penultimate fixture at home to Kidsgrove Athletic knowing that a win would secure the title and third consecutive promotion to the Northern Premier League, a draw would also do providing Stamford lost away to Mickleover. The Moatmen were not to be denied, Charisma Agbonlahor fired them into the lead mid-way through the first half before midfielder Jamie Sheldon made sure of the result ten minutes from time, The result and subsequent victory over Rainworth Miners Welfare was made irrelevant as news tickled through that Mickleover were winning against Stamford and Gresley were champions!

Manager Richard Beale was rewarded with a new two year contract as well as picking up the manager of the year gong at the end of season awards, also collecting accolades was Jordan Nadat who now has the golden boot award on his mantel after scoring 24 league goals (27 in all) as well as being named in the divisional team of the year alongside team mates Jamie Barrett and goalkeeper Luke Owen.


And so that's us all caught up on the events that have conveyed us up the pyramid and into the Northern Premier League at step three of the non-league ladder, Next time in Moat Matters I shall try to fill you in on our current clutch of players, we shall look at their past, at their key moments in the red shirt and indeed speculating as to what the future holds for them. Until then I thank you for your patient reading and bid you a fond farewell!

As promised esteemed readers today we shall take put the current squad of Moatmen under the magnifying glass and supply you with facts and tidbits pertaining to their careers up to this point.

(Age / League Appearances for GFC / Goals)


Luke Owen (24/40/0)
Northern Division One's goalkeeper of the year in 2012/13, An excellent goalkeeper who is rarely caught out by a shot, Oppositions really do need to come up with something special to beat him. A Cambridge United trainee who also had a spell with Bristol Rovers.

Phil Connolly (17/2/0)
This Glasgow born youngster made his debut at just 16 last year in our FA cup qualifier against Rochester, He has gone on to make ten appearances so far for Gresley, mainly in cup competitions. It is worth noting that of the ten games Phil has started we have only lost a single match. A capable deputy for Owen even at such a tender age.



Kalum O'Kane (20/14/0)
Signed at the beginning of last season following his release from Sheffield United, He has rotated with fellow right back Matthew Roome well, meaning we always have a quality right back fit and ready.

Matthew Roome (23/27/0)
An Aston Villa trainee who has since moved from the West to East Midlands, having played for Mickleover Sports and Stapenhill. He completed the switch to Gresley last season and immediately became first choice for the right back position when fit. Unfortunately Matthew suffered a broken foot during a pre-season game with Lincoln and will be out for most of the coming campaign.

Ben Carlisle (20/16/0)
Another of manager Rick Beale's 2012/13 signings, Ben was signed to become first choice for the left back slot, However Adam Betteridge ended up establishing himself as our #3 whereas Ben has had to rotate when required. He will be hoping to displace Betteridge this term.

Sam Woods (22/40/0)
Hardly missed a minute of last season following his arrival from local side Ellistown, A rock at the back whoever happens to partner him in central defense. Has had spells all over Leicestershire and Derbyshire having played for Coalville, and Loughborough as well as ourselves and Ellistown.

Michael Nottingham (24/63/9)
Sam Woods's usual partner in central defense last season, Michael is a good ball winner but is unfortunately prone to lapses in concentration which can be costly. At 6'2 he is a threat from corners at the other end, hence his six goals last season.

Edward Impey (16/0/0)
The local born sixteen year old has not even made an appearance for the first team yet, but that hasn't stopped him being touted as a star in the making, Very solid defender for his age who could well go on to play professional football with the right guidance.

Sam Christensen (21/0/0)
Brand new signing at the Moat ground after being signed up from Leamington Spa this summer, By all accounts a good ball playing center back who could be a strong addition to the squad.

Adam Betteridge (27/79/4)
After twin brother Tom was released by the club last summer there was mutterings of Adam also being about to depart, However the left back stayed and wound up all the better for it, establishing himself at left back despite the arrival of Ben Carlisle and proving a useful crosser of the ball when getting forward.



Jordi Gough (23/132/7)
Despite still only being 23, Jordi has been at the club since 2005 following his release from Derby County, He has gon on to make over 130 appearances for the Moatmen in the subsequent eight years. Can play left back if required but much more convincing on the left wing.

Tom McCready (22/0/0)
A brand new addition to the squad on the left flank, charged with replacing Anthony Carney who disappointed last season after signing from rivals Coalville.
A product of Everton's youth academy who has since played for Hibs, Chester and most recently Romulus where he scored five goals in 33 appearances last season.

James Jepson (31/46/9)
Veteran midfielder who is equally adept at hanging back and defending or bombing forward through the middle of the park, Has had a storied career since starting out at Notts County, including a spell playing the Australian minor leagues.

Mickey Lyons (32/118/32)
Long time servant at the Moat having initially signed for Rovers in 2004 after time spent with Burton Albion, Hinckley, Shepshed and Loughborough University, He's gone on to make over 100 appearances in the red jersey and remains a poplar figure with supporters.

Jamie Barrett (30/175/11)
Another long time Rover who has played for the club since his release by Burton in 2002, intervening spells with Mickleover and Hednesford aside, Barrett has been a fiercely loyal employee for Gresley and there are few better ball winning midfielders outside the football league.

Rob Spencer (27/127/29)
Signed by Gary Norton in Gresley FC's inauguration season from Borrowash Town, Rob was at the time a striker but has since dropped back to midfield, capable of playing either on the right wing or through the center.

Kyle Bryant (26/42/3)
Originally joined the club in 2010 but was released after only making four appearances, He eventually rejoined mid way through the following campaign where he proved himself the second time around. A quick and tricky winger but is blighted by his tendency to squander chances with his poor finishing.

Marc Goodfellow (31/63/17)
Probably the most famous name in the squad having played regular first team football for Stoke, Swansea, Bristol City, Grimsby and Burton Albion. Now a fairly pedestrian left winger but is still capable of pin point crossing as well as the off goal from set pieces.

Jamie Sheldon (22/30/2)
Young attacking midfielder who started life at Birmingham City where he spent a season on loan to Slovenian side NK Interblock, since his release from the blues he has played with Solihull and Sutton Coldfield before joining us last summer.



Graham Buyers (17/18/3)
Looked a fantastic prospect in the first half of last season, Scoring the opening goal of the league season when he netted just a minute into his debut against Market Drayton at just 16, His star faded quickly though as he only managed a further five goals throughout the campaign, They did however include a late equiliser against Worcester to secure a FA cup replay and another injury time leveler against Belper which rescued a point. Perhaps he will re-emerge this season and prove he wasn't a flash in the pan.

Jordan Nadat (22/41/25)
A Rovers trainee who left the club in 2009 following the liquidation, since being away he has played all over the midlands but failed to settle at a club, a fist fight with Rochester manager Steve Bleasdale saw him sacked by the Romans, Jordan was handed a lifeline by Gary Norton who invited him back to the Moat where he has proved himself a deadly front man, scoring 27 times last season on his way to the golden boot.

Joseph McAuley (17/0/0)
Another product of the clubs successful youth system, Joseph has been promoted to the first team squad for the coming season amid much excitement over his future. Big and powerful as well as hardworking Joseph could well find himself competing for a starting place by the end of the season.

Neville Thompson (28/0/0)
A new boy at the Moat, Thompson was snapped up from Newcastle Town after he netted 15 times last season, Including one against us! Along with Nadat he could form a deadly partnership up front.

Joey Butlin (20/0/0)
Another proven forward who has come in this month, He scored nine times for Sutton Coldfield last term following his release from Walsall.

And we're off!
The 2013/14 is under way around Britain with some teams flying out the blocks like Hussain Bolt and others tripping over their laces. Here in South Derbyshire our hero's are off to a so-so start to life in the Northern Premier League, collecting five points from an available fifteen so far.

After taking a 14th minute lead Gresley look comfortable against the Gingerbreads throughout the first half, However things take a turn for the worse when the new captain Jamie Barrett picked up a second yellow card for a seemingly innocuous challenge on Grantham's Rhys Lewis. Things go from bad to worse for Rick Beale's men just five minutes later when full back Kallum O'Kane limps off, forcing the manager to re-shuffle his pack again, On came new boy Sam Christensen for his Gresley debut, albeit in the unfamiliar right back position. The makeshift defense holds up well to the visitors scrutiny but finally is undone when substitute Paul Ryan gives his marker the slip and finishes calmly to give the Gingerbreads a share of the points.

Frickley 1-1 Gresley

Gresley find themselves behind after just four minutes when the referee points to the penalty spot in what looked like a very harsh decision against Kyle Bryant, Bryant catching Frickley's Danny Walsh who didn't even go to ground. It was Walsh who took and converted the spot kick to put the Blue's ahead. The sense of injustice hovering over the away end of Westfield Lane was somewhat lifted when Jordan Nadat registered his first strike of the campaign on the half hour mark when he capped a nice team move with a powerful finish.

The Moatmen played second fiddle to the Spartans throughout this contest at Croft Park, The home side were ahead inside ten minutes when defender Wayne Buchanan powered home a header amid some sloppy marking. Callum Hassan was played through beautifully just after the half hour mark to lash the ball into Luke Owen's top corner to give the visitors a mountain to climb. Despite Jordan Nadat's 59th minute finish a comeback failed to materialize.

The league new boys finally picked up their first three points of the season in the all Derbyshire affair, It was the dwellers to the south of the county who seized the inititive, winger Kyle Bryant jinking his way into the area and smashing his initial effort against the post, Gladiators keeper Russell Sunders could do nothing as Bryant reacted quickest to slot home the rebound. 17 year old Joseph McAuley bagged his first senior goal in the 56th minute, the youngster was well placed to tap in Jordan Nadat's inviting low cross and make it 2-0. Matlock did pull one back in the 78th minute when a long throw caused havoc in the Moat defense, allowing striker Sean O'Connor to jab the ball home. Gresley however held out for a vital first win of the season.

Gresley will have been disappointed not to have come away from this game with anything following a entertaining battle between these two relegation tips. Jordan Slack gifted Gresley the lead with just five minutes elapsed by turning the ball past his own goalkeeper. Boro however battled back and before long had taken the lead through quickfire goals from Chris McDonagh and David Haggerty which gave the visitors the half time lead. Clearly fired up from their managers half time team talk Gresley immediately leveled from the restart, Jordan Nadat hooking home a long ball out of defense to make it 2-2. It was another own goal that was to prove the Moatmen's undoing though, Michael Nottingham (pictured) bearing the brunt of a close range shot, Unfortunately for the big defender the ball cannoned off his backside, taking it past Luke Owen and into the net to sink the home side.