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Search forNorton starting from scratch as exodus goes on at Gresley
Friday, November 21, 2008, 07:30
Rovers were plunged into turmoil last week when chairman Mark Harrison announced the club could no longer afford to pay the players.
The step, taken in a bid to pull the Moatmen out of financial crisis, has inevitably led to the break-up of the current squad.
Jamie Hood, Luke Edwards and Sam Wilson all left before last weekend's 1-1 draw with Spalding United.
They have been followed this week by Gavin Saunders, who has joined Willenhall Town, and Lee Evans, who has returned to Chasetown.
A host of other players have also found new clubs.
Top scorer David Blenkinsopp is considering offers from former club Nuneaton Borough, Hednesford Town and Shepshed Dynamo.
Louis Briscoe is on his way to Stafford Rangers, Micky Lyons is to join Shepshed Dynamo, Brian Woodhall and Nathan Morris are set for Rugby Town, with Miles Chamberlain weighing up a move to Spalding or Stamford.
Barry Woolley is joining Bromsgrove Rovers, who have also made a bid for Gresley captain Carl Slater.
Slater had pledged his future to the club and turned down an approach from Solihull Moors this week but has now received an offer that Norton admits he would be foolish to turn down.
This leaves Norton with a skeleton squad featuring the likes of Jamie Barrett, Tom Liversage, Oliver Hancock, Jordi Gough, Kevin Lock, Simon Baldwin and Tom Allan.
Meanwhile, Chris Mawbey has rejoined the club, along with Matt Smith and Paul Wardle.
"I am trying to rebuild the team almost from scratch," said Norton.
"From Saturday, our status changes from semi-professional to amateur.
"I will be looking for players who have dropped out of the semi-pro ranks for whatever reason, and talented players from parks football.
"I have put in seven days' notice for a number of players and I have also had a lot of phone calls from teams offering me players."
Norton, meanwhile, revealed he had turned down two offers to move clubs himself – reiterating his intention to stay at the Moat Ground..
"I have had two offers this week but the conversations lasted no more than 30 seconds," he said.
"As much as I am hating the situation, there is absolutely no way I'm walking away from this club."
Norton added: "I am totally 100 per cent behind the decision that has been made. It was a brave decision.
"Mark Harrison is a businessman first and foremost but this club has really got a hold of him and his primary objective is to make sure Gresley Rovers survive beyond the end of this season, in whatever form it may be."
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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: Gresley Rovers Carl Slater may be leaving the club.
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