Pitchero Non League

Gary Norton

Norton informed the board of his decision after considering his future over the last couple of weeks due to increased responsibilities off the pitch.

Norton had indicated to the club in early March his intention to step down from his position at the end of this season mainly due to a promotion at work but he has been persuaded to remain in the Moat Ground hot seat for another campaign.

Norton said: "It's been a tough couple of weeks agonising over the decision. My head was telling me one thing and my heart was telling me the other but now the decision is made I'm delighted and can't wait to get started on the exciting challenge of a new league.

"In a nutshell I received an unexpected promotion into a senior management position at work at the end of February and this made an already hectic work life balance vastly more challenging. I was worried how I would be able to balance the vastly increased demands of my job with not only my football but also my family which is very, very important to me.

"As such, I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to give Gresley the 110% focus it needs and so I had decided to step down at the end of the season and had informed the club of my intention at the time. When the season had finished Barry North and I had a couple of meetings in which he asked that I reconsider so that's what I agreed to do.

"Having spoken to a number of people over the last fortnight including my assistant Martin Rowe, a number of players and also my family I've decided to stay on. The concerns I had have been mostly resolved thanks to Martin agreeing to take on a lot more of the day to day aspects of the job that since March I had found more difficult to keep on top of due to the nature of my day job.

"He's been a brilliant assistant over the last two seasons and is always looking to do more to help but the extra support he has agreed will ensure that between us all aspects of the job are covered. Due to my work, I may need to miss the occasional midweek game or a few training sessions here and there but this won't impact on the team or our performance levels.

"Work now starts on getting the rest of the squad to commit to stay at the club next season and a big part of me staying is that I'm confident that most of the lads we want to keep at the club from last season will also remain. We have the nucleus of a very good squad and with a few additions here and there we will be in good shape for the new challenge ahead.

"I also have a great assistant in Martin Rowe and an excellent coach in Martin Rowntree on my backroom team so I'm confident that between us we are more than well equipped to go into whichever league we end up in and do ourselves and the club and its supporters justice."

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