TEN MINUTES WITH THE GAFFERS

Rothbury have secured the Team Valley Carpets Northern Football Alliance Second Division title with three games to go. It has been an emotional rollercoaster of a season both on and off the pitch at Armstrong Park and The Northern caught up with manager Dan Herron and captain (player/coach) Tom Macpherson to get their reflection on what has been a monumental first term at the higher level ahead of their tricky Wednesday night trip to Coundon & Leeholme (kick-off 6.30pm).

Dan, you suffered a horrendous leg break while playing for the club a few years back. Do you find it frustrating on the sidelines, or do you find management as satisfying as playing?

DH: It’s frustrating to not play on a Saturday, because just like everyone in grassroots football, I absolutely love it. It was hard to come back from such an injury but I can play still, just not with the intensity I used to, and with added agony after! Mind, even if I didn’t have that injury I wouldn’t get a game in-front of our midfield with the quality we have! The management does give you the same buzz at different times, mostly it’s like looking after 20 oversized babies, but days like Saturday, make it all completely worth it!

Are you pleased to have secured the Championship ahead of three very challenging looking fixtures against Coundon, Whitburn & Cleedon and Stobswood?

DH: I’m absolutely over the moon to have won it early. There are certainly no easy games in the Alliance and back to back Wednesday/Saturday games aren’t simple! Obviously heading to Coundon on a Wednesday is a big travel for us so it’s nice to have the security of the title in the bag. Not that we’ll be slowing down because we always aim for the highest level of consistency, hence 26 games unbeaten in the league!

What has been the highlight of the season for you so far?

DH: The highlight of the season for me has to be the celebrations in the changing rooms on Saturday. That’s what you dedicate so many countless hours for, to see 25 lads absolutely buzzing at their achievements, with not a care in the world spraying drink all over, that’s what it’s all about. If you mean performance wise, it would have to be Whitley Bay at home in the league. It was a 1st v 2nd clash and we were absolutely rampant. We could have had 5/6 in the first half we were that good. It was because it was such a big game, and the lads raised their level so much, just showing the character we’ve got. The other obvious special one was the win away at Willington Quay given the tragic events before it. The minutes silence and team talk before was emotional for the lads, and I was so proud we got the 3 points that day despite how hard it was! So some very pleasing moments this season!

Any disappointments?

DH: It was disappointing to lose the first game to be honest! We played so well against Blyth that day but didn’t take our chances at the right time. It would have been nice to have a chance at going unbeaten in the league for the full term! Also going out in the Amateur Cup was disappointing too, we were poor in the second half of that tie and gifted Jesmond the game when leading. But we can’t expect to win them all!

It’s been a busy year of weddings and babies at the club. Is it difficult for amateur players to juggle home commitments with the game?

DH: I guess it is for some lads. We’ve just been so lucky with our squad this year, such strength in depth has meant we could bring quality replacements in when players were missing for other commitments.

Just how proud are you of the team that you have assembled at Rothbury?

DH: I’m immensely proud of the team we’ve assembled here. And I only want to keep adding the right characters to it. It’s very pleasing to hear the supporters talk about the quality and how good it is to watch, this means we’re doing the right things. We try to play football the right way as well, passing out from the back and playing attractive stuff is all part of the philosophy we set out.

A lot of work goes on behind the scenes and you rely on committed volunteers. Just how important are they to the club?

DH: We literally wouldn’t be able to function without the people who volunteer their time to the club. Especially the likes of Eric Cummings (highly-regarded groundsman.) It’s amazing to have such dedicated and passionate individuals to help out. We could always use more help though, so if you’re interested in getting involved with the committee or anything else to do with the club, please get in touch!

Tom, you told me a couple of weeks back that a narrow 1-0 pre-season defeat by Premier Division neighbours Wallington gave you a lot of confidence going into the season. Do you look at Oakford Park and think that’s a model that the club can emulate going forward?

TM: Wallington are a great club, both on and off the pitch so I think it makes sense to look at some of the things they do and try to emulate it. What they have achieved in Cups and the Premier Division is something we as a club want to strive towards.

Defensively, you have the best record in the Division. How much have you enjoyed marshalling that backline?

TM: Yeah we’ve been excellent defensively this year, not just the defenders but the whole team. We ask a lot of our players out of possession, pressing teams high. I have enjoyed talking some of the younger lads through games, I’ve noticed players like Sam and Greg improve their tactical understanding massively this season.

A number of teams will be looking at the squad and may try to tempt players away over the summer. Will the togetherness that the lads have shown keep them together?

TM: I wouldn’t be surprised if teams were looking at our players but I think the squad are happy and really enjoying their football so would be surprised if we lose many players. One of our strengths this season has been our togetherness and team spirit, highlighted by the number of points (I think it’s 27) we’ve won from losing positions and also our social side.

DH: I feel the lads have a very strong bond here. We’ve assembled a group of lads who all get on and socialise together really well. It’s a massive part of local football, to have that on and off the field bond. That’s why we feel players will stay here, and the ones that we attract want to stay too, it’s a close knit group of competitive lads!

What is the motivation for the final three games now that promotion and the championship are secured? Is it a case of try to maintain the unbeaten run?

TM: To be honest I hate losing so we will be aiming to win all three and it’s up to Dan and I to motivate the lads. Going 29 games unbeaten in the league would be an amazing achievement. We might experiment a little or give the lads who have knocks a rest but I believe our squad is strong enough.

DH: The motivation is definitely to extend that unbeaten run. It’s something we’re immensely proud of and must be close, if not a club record! We’ve always demanded such a high standard from the lads, and the last 3 games won’t be any different!

The crowds at Armstrong Park have been fantastic this season. How much do the players appreciate the support?

TM: They’ve been absolutely amazing, consistently getting 60-80 people at home games and even getting decent numbers away too. The players have all talked about it and appreciate it, a number who have played Northern League in front of 30-40 people. I think the people who come to watch have been pleasantly surprised by our quality but also our endeavour.

DH: It’s amazing to see all the supporters there. We can’t express how great it is to have people there watching and enjoying it, it’s really brought the community back together. We want to see more and more coming and being interested in grassroots football, hopefully this is just the start of a great project for Rothbury FC.

Rothbury FC has a big history going back 143 years. Many of your relations have played and been on the club committee. How big an influence does that history have on the future?

TM: When I started playing for Rothbury when I was 15 it was because my two uncles (Gordon and Stu) had played for them and Gordon was manager. I learnt a lot from senior players at that time, Kevin Coe, Paul Appleby and Darren Arkle in particular. I think myself and Dan have tried to continue that, where senior players in our squad (me, Michael, Tony and Mins) try to pass on our experiences. Dan deserves a lot of credit, he took over as manager when nobody was prepared to do it, saving the club from not having a team.

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THE REDS have two home fixtures remaining at Armstrong Park after Wednesday night’s game. They take on promotion-chasing Whitburn & Cleadon on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm) and fellow former North Northumberland League side Stobswood Welfare on Wednesday 8^th May (kick-off 6.30 pm). The silverware should be presented by League Officials at one of those games. Confirmation will follow when the club have it. All promotion and relegation matters are sorted at the Northern Football Alliance Annual General Meeting at Blue Flames, when the League Constitution for 2019/20 is resolved.

With the Alliance exploring the possibility of a fourth (Development) Division, which looks likely to be comprised mainly of teams from the former Tyneside Amateur League, there are exciting times ahead in the local game.