History 9 of 11

9. History 9


Once again the club were determined not to stand still during the closed season and entered in to a refurbishment of the facilities.

The toilet block was relocated nearer to the clubhouse (now re-named The Main Bar), the 2 cabins that stood unused in the corner of the ground for a few years were also relocated, one to the Allotment End becoming the new Hospitality Room for our guests throughout the season freeing up room to expand the Main Bar. The other cabin was moved to a more central position and a new camera gantry built on top of this allowing for great unobstructed views of the match. All the seats and walls in the Main Stand were painted along with the changing rooms.

As steady progress was being made on the work news came in that we had been chosen to host newly-promoted to the Championship Doncaster Rovers. This gave the bunch of volunteers added incentive to get the ground ready. A lot of unpaid hours went in from the committee members and other volunteers that gave up their time to ensure that the game went ahead in a ground to be proud of.

A 3-0 defeat to the professionals was a decent run out for the lads involved and but more importantly the revenue that it gained enabled us to start the season on a sound financial footing.

Steve Lodge again continued in the role of First team manager with George Spears his assistant. He was also aided in the coaching side by Dan Lodge and Andy Cowe working with the goalkeepers.

Keith Bell decided that he could not continue with the Reserves so that left Paul Colley to continue on his own.

19 games in to the 2013-14 season Manager Steve Lodge decided to call time on his tenure feeling that he had done the best he could and that he could take the team no further. The Committee thanked him for the three and half years’ service and set about the search for his replacement with Committeeman Dave Burley stepping in as Caretaker.

Interviews for the new manager took place in early November and former Scarborough Athletic Reserves manager Steve Brennan along with assistant Sean Chapman were chosen to take the club forward. Steve has put together a 3 year plan for Rossington Main FC, one he believes will sustain the club for the future & see talented players get an opportunity to showcase their talents at NCEL level.

Shortly after the start of his tenure Sean found that it wasn’t working for him and had to stand down leaving Steve alone for the first time in around 3 years working together. Up stepped Lee Holmes to take the role of Player/Assistant Manager. Lee has played for the club over several different periods and leapt at the chance to assist Steve.

It took three games for them to find their feet in what was a step up for many of the new players that Steve brought in but once they did they results turned around and an 9 game unbeaten run was enjoyed into February.

At the end of season Presentation (York Races) awards went to:-
Top Scorer Lee Holmes with 14 goals from 23 games that included 1 hat-trick (In this run he also scored his 100th League goal for The Main)
Managers' Player of the Season - Nathan Fraser.
Players' Player - Nathan Fraser.
Supporters Player - Adam Stevens.
Goal of the Season - Jordan Hatton.

The Main Issue won Best in NCEL Division One for a 4th time in consecutive seasons and 20th overall in the Non-League.