FUNK PRAISES WRENS WORK ETHIC

RAINWORTH MW manager Rudy Funk attributed Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Blue Square Bet North neighbours Eastwood Town to the club’s work ethic.

Speaking after the match in an interview for the club’s web site, Funk declared himself happy with the result, but added that results in themselves are not the first priority in these games.

He said: “We played a very good Hucknall Town side on Saturday and lost 2-0, and tonight we played another very good side in Eastwood Town.

“Both games were massive tests for us against higher level opponents, so first of all I would like to say a big thank you to Tommy Brookbanks and Paul Cox, the respective managers, for providing us with two excellent matches.

“Overall Bill (assistant manager Billy Millar) and I must have something to smile about tonight, not so much because of the result, but because we have seen the hard work put in in training transfer itself to the game tonight.”

But the manager warned players and fans not to get carried away at beating a side from two leagues above, which had won all five previous pre-season games.

He said: “Just because we have scored two goals and won a game it does not mean we are the finished article. I must re-iterate my previous message that there is still a lot of work to be done between now and the big kick-off on 21st August.

“But what is pleasing is that everyone is accepting that the only way we will achieve results is through hard work.

“I’ve always said that with limited finances we are not in a position to attract ‘super’ players. But super players are not what we want anyway. We want people who will work their socks off for this club, put themselves about, and show lots of desire and commitment.”

NEW RESERVES MANAGER NAMED

Rainworth have revealed the identities of their new reserves management team as Doug Etches and Mickey Taylor, who together led Church Warsop MW to the Central Midlands Premier Division title and promotion to the Supreme Division last season.

Said Funk: “Both have an excellent pedigree in the game, and although some may see their appointment as our reserve managers as a step down for them, in reality that is far from the case.

“The Reserve Supreme Division is made up almost entirely of second strings of clubs from higher up the Pyramid so there will be no drop in standards for them.

“And to come to a set-up like Rainworth gives them the chance to work in a semi-professional environment at a club where success is demanded.

“They are both very keen to get started, and it’s great that we go on attracting good quality personnel to the club.”

Meanwhile the reserves begin their pre-season friendlies on Saturday with a visit to Kiveton Park. They visit Clipstone Reserves on Wednesday, 4th August and are at home to South Normanton Athletic Reserves on Saturday 7th, before wrapping up their pre-season programme on Tuesday 10th away to Harworth Reserves.

The reserves’ season begins on Saturday 14th August at home to Holbrook Sports.