City Sign Paul Groves

[footyfan]

FORMER Grimsby Town boss Paul Groves has become York City's third summer signing.

Midfielder Groves, who will turn 38 next February, has agreed a one-year deal, joining fellow experienced campaigners Steve Davis and Kevin Donovan as summer additions to the Minstermen's squad.

City assistant manager Lee Nogan shared a dressing-room with Groves at Blundell Park and is pleased to have him back as a team-mate.

"He's agreed a deal and it's done and dusted," Nogan said. "We tried to get him before last season's transfer deadline until the end of the season before he went to Scunthorpe.

"It worked out easier for him at that time to go on loan while he sorted out his differences with Grimsby but we've finally got him."

Groves (pictured above) scored his 100th League goal at Bootham Crescent when he bagged a brace for Scunthorpe during the Minstermen's crushing 3-0 home defeat in March.

He can also play in defence but Nogan sees the ex-Leicester, Blackpool and West Brom player, who has made 740 League and cup appearances, as a natural successor to the departing Lee Bullock.

He said: "Paul can get into the box and score goals. People will point at his age but he's a very fit lad and was the fittest lad at Grimsby when I was there.

"He's like Lee Bullock but I think he's better in the air. He can also play at the back but, first and foremost, we will be using him as a midfield player.

"He's got a lot of experience and that will help the young lads."

Nogan also admitted that Groves' managerial experience with the Mariners in the First and Second Divisions could also be useful at Bootham Crescent.

Player-boss Chris Brass complained about the contributions of senior players last season but Davis, Donovan and Groves are all former team-mates of City's managerial duo and will, no doubt, pull in the same direction.

Nogan said: "He will also help us in the managerial department because he had a difficult time at Grimsby where they had no finances and, like ourselves, he had to cut the wage bill drastically. I think he had a squad of about 15 or 16.

"He knows what he wants now though and I think that's just to get back to concentrating on playing after the last few years."

Groves has commanded more than £1million in transfer fees during 16 years as a professional, including a £600,000 move from Grimsby to West Brom in 1996.

He returned to Blundell Park a year later for £250,000.
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