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Mark Evans (ME): Welcome to tonight's fans forum. This event is to become a regular feature hopefully every two months throughout the season. We are going to confirm the dates as soon as we can so that you can put the dates in your diaries.

Before we start to answer questions I'd like to make a statement. A week or so ago it was reported in the local press that we'd begun negotiations with a view to purchasing the Moat Ground. I tried to make it clear at the time that this wasn't the forerunner of some announcement of a new ground, but that it was the first stage in buying the present ground. Once an agreement had been reached we would then look to raise the money to do so. And having purchased the ground to look around for a new site and then arranging to sell the Moat Ground. That process could take years.

Allowing for a few queries that our landlords have on our proposal, I'm hoping to have a definite answer in the next couple of weeks as to whether they've accepted our offer price. In which case, once that is done and agreed I would like to think, subject to us acquiring the funds, that we could hopefully exchange contracts September-October time. We would then go about the business of looking to identify a site that Gresley Rovers could move to provide a permanent brand new home.

Q. Do you know where that site will be?

ME: No. There is a site already earmarked but I don't want to initiate controversy by saying we are not going there and that remains an option. As far as this club is concerned all options should remain open. That particular site, so I'm told, is a 12 acre site but we would prefer to move to a 20 acre minimum site because when Gresley move I want us to move and for it to be the end of the matter. I would want us to move to a site that will be able to generate all the funding from the Football Association, the Football Foundation and Lottery grants. To obtain those grants we would need to be a community club, which I strongly believe we are with the Soccer School, Junior sides, Youth Team and Reserves along with the First Team. But we need to put all that in bricks and mortar and we can't do that unless we have a site that's big enough. We would want the new site to have the actual ground, clubhouse, offices and a floodlit training pitch along with other pitches for the Juniors. So when we move we would look to bring every single element of this football club together on one site. And for there to be significant additional facilities for social functions etc. I don't know what the optimum size is for that but I'm told 20 acres would be minimum.

Q. Gary what do you think will be a successful for you?

Gary Norton (GN): I have reported that I have my aims written down in a sealed envelope and I'm not going to reveal them.

In light of what we achieved over the past two seasons and the budget I have to work with the club would consider that if we finish around or above where we finished last season as a successful season. I'd be disappointed with that myself baring in mind the squad of players we've managed to keep together.

Just a word about these forums - we attempted them under John McGinlay and Jon Newsome and they where considered a success. I was a little disappointed that we didn't have more of them because I thought it was a chance for those of you pay every week to have your say. This one was arranged a little late because of the appointment of the new manager but we wanted to arrange one before the season started. I wanted those who supported my appointment and indeed those who didn't or are sitting on the fence, to share their views. One of my targets this season is to prove my critics wrong.

I've been informed that I'm the youngest manager in Gresley's history and one of the youngest in Dr Martens football at the moment. I'm relishing the challenge and along with Alan Titterton who is my assistant we are going to work hard to try and take Gresley Rovers forward on the pitch and along with the Chairman and others in the club to take this club forward off the pitch.

I want these forums every two months to allow us to discuss general things and the playing side of things whether that be at the end of a winning run or a losing run. I'm prepared to sit here and take the criticism and the praise. If we are doing well, then come along and ask if we could do better. If we are not doing so well come along and say so. I'm prepared to face the music because it's my responsibility.

Q. Will you be signing any new players and where do you think the team needs strengthening, if at all?

GN: Yes the side does need strengthening. I heard a statement before my appointment was announced that if I got the job half the current side would leave. I haven't got to justify my appointment but the fact is that every single squad member that we wanted to keep has signed. For example, Andy Cheetham signed last night. There were a lot of clubs interested in him but we sat down with him and agreed a deal and he's more than happy to stay. Andy will remain as captain.

In defence, the addition of Matt Smith to the squad will more than compensate for the loss of Stuart Evans. He will play more games that Stuart, who was a very good player but was prone to injury.

In Andy and Matt I believe we have two of the best centre halves in the league. New signing John Williams has come with pedigree although he is still recovering from a foot injury. He will provide competition for those slots.

We also have the best full back in my opinion in the league in Gary White and Nathan Tate, who is still only 18, is a very good cover for Gary. With Ian Bluck and Richard Wardle I think we are sorted at the back.

In midfield we have a lot of options with a lot of competition. We have Craig Hopkins, Carl Slater, Carl Timms and Jamie Barrett in the centre of midfield. We did have Jamie Blastland on trial but we have released him because he recognises that we have massive competition in the squad. But I still think in midfield we need a strong ball winner who can put his foot in. I've watched many games at our level and many of the sides are physical and I think Carl Slater could be that sort of player but he's not there yet. We've lost Mark Peters, who I wish all the very best, but his leaving, I believe, is not any detriment to the squad.

This midfield area is one we are looking to bring a big ball winner into. On the flanks we have more than enough cover on both sides. Earl Alexander has shown well in pre-season and this is going to be a big season for him. Against Hucknall last Saturday he was awesome. He along with Slater, Timms and Matt Moran cannot be considered as just reserve players and have got to prove themselves this season.

We have Chris Gray on the left who can also play in midfield and on the right. We have Micky Lonergan who's just signed for us, although not back to the form he showed last time he was at the club, could be a useful acquisition to the squad. Richard Wardle is another option for central midfield as well as right full back. Matt Moran is facing a big season. When he's on song he's one of the best young prospects in the league in that position. We've also got Andy Bourne on the right side.

Where we are thin on the ground is up top. We've got Neil Kitching and Ian Pitt. Pitt has done very well in pre-season. He has his sceptics and to be honest I was one of those. I used to watch Ian when he was here in the past. He's a good friend of mine off the pitch and I think a lot of him, but I'm well aware that on and sometimes off the pitch he can be a handful but we sat down and discussed that and to his credit he's worked really hard in pre-season. He knows he still got to get a little bit fitter but he's showed some good touches and has scored and made a couple of goals.

Neil Kitching looks a different player to me in pre-season. He's worked very hard in training to get his fitness and he's starting to look the type of player I know he can be.

The problem we have is that if either of those players get injured we have no recognised strikers in the team. Obviously we have Chris Gray who was our top scorer last season as an option along with Andy Bourne and Jamie Barrett. But I don't want to rely on the existing squad and will have to try and bring people in. We don't have the depth in the reserves and they need to get their season underway to bring on players such as Mykey Pryce and Carl Eagling and to show us what they can do.

To summarise we are happy with defence and midfield but we need to bring in a forward and maybe a ball winner in the middle of the park.