Former Notts County player Ryan Ebanks commits to Newark and Sherwood United, despite recent game for Grantham Town

When Newark and Sherwood United travel to Newark Town for their much-anticipated derby on Saturday, July 22, one player may have a slight advantage over the others.

The Highwaymen's Ryan Ebank took to the field in a recent game against Newark Town Blues as he wore the black and white strip of Grantham Town.

The Blues welcomed The Gingerbreads to the YMCA where they lost a close game 2-1.

Former Notts County player, Ebanks had a good game and backed it up days later when he turned out for The Highwayman's 5-0 win over West Bridgford.

It is yet to be determined whether his game against The Blues will provide observations that gain an inside advantage for his side.

Alternatively, it could have the opposite effect and the Newark Town management may have gained invaluable insight into the Highwaymen's supporters' player of the season.

Many of the players who will be on the pitch for the upcoming rivalry have played together or against each other but Ebanks is the only one who has played against the opposition recently.

The appearance for The Gingerbreads had fuelled some speculation about where he will play in his upcoming season.

Ebanks is a long-serving member of The Highwaymen since before they became a rebranded club.

He played under Grantham Town's manager Paul Rawden when Rawden was in charge at Newark FC.

"Following much speculation and social media interest, we are pleased to announce that last season’s supporters player of the season Ryan Ebanks will be staying on at The Highwaymen for the 2023-24 season," said a club spokesman.

The spokesman added that Ebanks had been getting some much-needed game minutes in his match for Grantham Town.