A sit down with... Paul Rockley Manager of Eastwood CFC
A sit down with
Paul
Rockley Manager of Eastwood CFC
Firstly
Paul. Thank you for being my 1st guest on “a sit down with”.
Let’s
take it to the start of you taking over at the Halbrook stadium. I know you’re
an Eastwood lad and taking the reins with Zander in November of last year after
Stephan Kirkham left. Firstly, how did it feel to take over?
It
was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. Given the size and scope of the club
long term. For both of us it was very exciting given mine and Zanders local
roots to the club and being from Eastwood. But I personally was under no
illusions the challenges that would lay ahead for that season and taking over
from a very successful Manager who had steered the club away from the
relegation zone to mid table in no time at all. Getting a squad up to scratch
was of the highest priority to avoid being pulled back into a relegation battle
which on day 1 starting point was a serious possibility. So, survival was the
only priority on my aims and objectives.
How
do you feel last season went after you took over in what looked like tough
circumstances with a good number of the squad following Kirkham back to Newark?
We
lost majority of the squad that had won a lot of games under Stephen Kirkham,
which meant a being in a similar situation to when I started under Paul
McFarland in terms of low numbers of squad and looking to get a team/squad to
be competitive as quickly as possible. I felt we got the balance right in
January when we went the month unbeaten and started to gain momentum and being
competitive against all teams and were making good ground. But after that we
lost Louis Czerwak Richard Dearle, Nathan Kelly, Lavell White, Jahren Barrow
and Kyle Dixon pretty quickly after that to injuries, Loans ending and
suspension. Which undid the hard work and ground we had made back up. But gave me an idea of what would be needed
in this league.
More
about you personally now. You must be one of the youngest managers at step 5
with plenty of coaching badges already to your name. What made you want to get
into coaching?
It
started working alongside a good friend of mine Ben Marvin current First team
coach at Boston United in Mansfield town's youth academy and since then we have
both gone into men’s first team football. Coaching is something I’ve always
enjoyed. Developing players and challenging them to improve as players and as
people. I have coached in grassroots, academy and men’s senior football and all
have provided challenges but aiding player development has been at the
forefront of my approach the only thing over the years that has changed is how
that is delivered and going from developing an individual all round to
developing individuals / units how to win games.
With
various stints as Coach/Assistant manager at clubs such as Eastwood, Rainworth,
Coalville & Carlton. What did you learn working under some well known non
league personalities such as Paul McFarland, Craig Denton & Tommy
Brookbanks? And how has this helped you now your in sole charge of the Eastwood
team?
Every
manager I have worked with I have taken parts of how they operate and adapted
to my own vision and values. I have positive memories and hold all that have
been mentioned in the highest regard and respect their work. Naturally I have
my own philosophy of how I see the game and worked under a variety of Managers
with different philosophies, so I am comfortable coaching and playing both
styles and mixing it up. On the playing field all those managers during their
successes built solid foundations down the spine of their teams and that has
been the key focus of my recruitment for this season. Building the spine of the
side. Lastly, support from their backroom staff. With Luke, James and Steve who
were with me from last season and strengthened with Ethan and Dan joining us in
their roles. I have the support from people on my team that I trust and respect
and that is the key.
Looking
to this season. A mixed bag in preseason. 2 wins, 2 draws & 2 defeats. With
a good win against Loughborough Dynamo. How have you found preseason?
Overall Positive, and some good lessons learned we have had some unavailability for certain games with holidays, which I sort of write off. I know my best 11 and the style that suits the players and look forward to seeing how we shape up in the season. I tend not to get too carried away with preseason. At Carlton and Clipstone we won every game in preseason and lost in the fa cup first up. Under Denton and McFarland we had mixed pre seasons similar to this and went on to have successful seasons.
Do
you feel ready for the coming season in what looks a competitive United
Counties League Premier North?
Do
you feel ready for the coming season in what looks a really competitive United
Counties League Premier North Yes, we have put the preparation work in preseason
and ready for the upcoming campaign.
The
Eastwood squad looks refreshed with some new names in preseason. Is there
anyone the “Red Badgers” fans should be excited about?
I am
sure there will be some brilliant individual performance/moment coming up
during the season that will singlehandedly win us a game(s) this season. But if
we are serious about having an improved season. We will have to do this
together as a team.
 |
| Rockley with new signing Tyler Johal |
Football
dinner party. You & 4 guests. Dead or alive. Who are you inviting?
As a
Manager it would be Sir Alex Ferguson Brian Clough Jose Mourinho Pep Guardiola
Il just sit back and listen to their stories learn about their backgrounds and
how they motivated their teams and themselves to success
And
your 5-a-side team of players you have worked with?
Richard Dearle (Goalkeeper)
Chris
Salt (Centre Back)
Richard
Patterson (Midfielder)
Josh
Nodder
Aaron
Opoku (Forward)
Without
putting pressure on you Paul, come April. Where do you see your Eastwood side?
Top 8
would be a significant improvement from last season. But we will assess in
blocks where we are and at Christmas, we will have a rough idea where our
season will be going. But I do like an underdog story......
If
you could give the “Red Badgers” fans one message for the upcoming season?
A new
season brings new vibes, new energy and a positive opportunity for a bright
future you have a key role to play and your support, the atmosphere you create
home and away will go a long way towards us achieving our goals We are in this
together. up the red badgers
