Oli Grant has been tipped to fire Hyde Park Rovers to MJSL glory this season after making a sensational return to the club.
Last year’s top-scorer quit the Leeds University side during the summer after growing frustrated with the team’s disciplinary and off-field problems.
Grant, who still has one year of his degree to complete, had been expected to line up for Manchester Maccabi 1st in the Tameside League.
But Rovers boss David Domb says he’s thrilled to have the 25-goal striker back and says his side is now fully capable of challenging for the league title.
“Having Oli back is brilliant because he’s such a fantastic goal-scorer,” said Domb.
“He left at the end of last season and I think there were a few things which annoyed him and helped convince him to leave.
“But he came to us recently and said he wanted to come back and we’re delighted to have him.
"With him back it’s a huge boost and our forward line looks fantastic.”
Grant managed to score on his return as Rovers demolished Crumpsall 8-1 in their opening league game of the season.
But it was four-goal hero David Herman who stole the show alongside fellow new signing Ryan Silvester.
“David is a fantastic player and I’ve no idea how we managed to find him,” added Domb.
“He is going to be great for us and with David Cohen and Oli also here, we’ve got a real chance of doing well.
“Ryan Silvester’s another one who has really impressed too. He set up four goals against Crumpsall and looks absolutely quality.”
With Rovers having suffered with off-field problems last year, Domb is fully aware that he must ensure his players remain focused if they are to sample any form of success.
"I know what happened last season and the players are aware of it,” he added.
“If we can just concentrate on the football then we have a real chance of winning something this year.
“Against Crumpsall, we were awful in the first-half and I told them that at the break.
“They turned it around and were superb in the second half and that’s how we need to play if we’re going to do anything this year.”
