An ex-Claret signs an ex-Claret

Last updated : 30 May 2004 By Tony Scholes

Stretch decided to move after Stanley made the decision to go full time. He chose to go part time last summer to concentrate on the family photography business and wasn’t keen to return to full time football.

He has joined the club probably more famous now because of the names of their President and Chairman – Bernard Manning Snr and Jnr – which means the club are always in the limelight.

Their manager is Kevin Glendon who signed for the Clarets after impressing against us in an FA Cup tie against Hyde United. Glendon is manager, commercial manager and director at the Unibond Club and is one of the longest serving managers in non-league football.

He said of the signing, “I’ve been looking to bring in an experienced defender for a long time now and players with Gordon’s experience and quality don’t become available very often.

“At 36 years of age and still fit enough for at least a couple of seasons at this level, he brings with him the know how which I hope will rub off on the younger players and I am sure he will have an enormous effect both on and off the pitch.

“Also, after speaking to Stanley boss John Coleman and indeed Stan Ternent, his former boss at Burnley, they both could not speak highly enough of him and thought it was an excellent acquisition for us.”

The move suits Armstrong and allows him to play part time football with a club close to both his home and to the family business.