New chairman elect is on a mission

Officials at the EVO-STIK League Premier Division club say local businesses and organisations can start expecting calls from Wedgwood after his appointment as the successor to Roger Booth is given the green light in the coming days by the Football Association. Once completed, Booth will return to his duties as club president.

Originally from Merseyside and now based in Radcliffe, the chairman elect is determined to build a real 'GTFC identity' over the course of the 2018-19 season after first getting involved at the Meres this summer when his son signed up for the club's new U14s side. New Grantham Town manager Ian Culverhouse also met with the 51-year-old businessman last week before signing two new players in the wake of their meeting, defender Ross Barrows from FC Halifax and Peterborough United striker Morgan Penfold on loan.

The Gingerbreads said: "Nigel's interest in the Gingerbreads came about some six weeks ago following conversations with board members regarding their vision for the club’s future, a vision in-which Nigel has signed-up to.

"Nigel's first plans include giving the ground and club a ‘GTFC identity’ ahead of the new season, as well as looking at commercial opportunities within the club. Along with the existing commercial operation he feels the club has a lot of scope to develop within the town and the local area, so expect a phone call or conversation in the near future to see how you can help.

"The new chairman-elect met with new manager Ian Culverhouse and was delighted to meet the new boss and feels the board made a great choice in appointing such a high-calibre manager over the summer and he looks forward to developing a great relationship with Ian.

"The club’s shared vision of building from youth through to academy and U21s is a view shared by both Nigel and Ian, and whilst not an overnight process, the groundwork for this project is most certainly underway."

Striker Penfold put pen-to-paper on a loan deal from Posh until January on Thursday before scoring in a 2-1 reverse for the Gingerbreads at Northern Premier League newcomers AFC Mansfield on Saturday. The 19-year-old has had loan spells with St Ives Town, Biggleswade Town and Boston United in recent seasons and is looking to establish himself in senior football. Full-back Barrows, 20, signed a one-year deal following his summer departure from the National League's Shaymen.

Images courtesy of @granthamtownfc/Twitter

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague