Brian Johnston refused to be downbeat after Armthorpe’s 10-0 defeat to Tadcaster
Brian Johnston could have been forgiven if he had jumped back on a plane back to Tenerife when he learnt of his Armthorpe Welfare side’s 10-0 defeat to Tadcaster Albion ten days ago.
Self-employed joiner Johnston had just stepped back into the country when he turned his phone on to read a text message with the news of their annihilation by the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division leaders.
Johnston had returned from a week-long holiday in Tenerife to celebrate his wife Karen receiving the all-clear from cancer.
So the Armthorpe chief wasn’t going to let the heavy defeat get to him and he told Non League Yorkshire: “I was just getting off the plane and I got a text to say we had lost 10-0 and I thought ‘what, couldn’t you have waited until the morning’?
“I came back and it was windy and raining and I thought ‘oh come on’.
“But if you put life in perspective and see what happens in the world, what’s more important? Someone getting cleared of cancer or a 10-0 defeat.
“It is only a game. The game has gone and we have moved on.
“It is not very nice when it happens to you, but credit to Tadcaster.”
Armthorpe are embroiled in a battle for survival in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division.
Last Saturday’s 2-1 win at fellow strugglers Nostell has opened up a five point cushion between them and the relegation zone.
Former Askern Villa manager Johnston has always admitted that he faces constant battles to recruit and keep players and he claims it has been the same story this season.
“It (the season) has been frustrating,” he said.
“There has been ups and downs. Because we’re down there we have had clubs chasing players and offering them bits of money.
“One lad (Joe Lumsden) went to Brigg, but didn’t like it and came back and we’re glad to have him back.
“I’ve tried to get to players in and the first question has been ‘how much am I getting’?”
Johnston is hopeful of steering Armthorpe to safety in the Premier Division – a Division they have graced since 1985.
He added: “There has been games which we have chucked away.
“There was a game where we got beat 2-1 and we should have been out of sight.
“There’s been a few games where we have been winning and then conceded late and lost.
“I think we could have a few more points.
“We have to be confident (of staying up) and we have to believe and keep at it.
“Who knows? If we can get a few back from injury, hopefully we can (stay up).
“We do need to strengthen in a few areas, but it is hard to attract.
“There’s a lot of teams spending money. Last year there was a few, now there seems to be more.
“Looking at that, it (staying up) would be a very good achievement.”
Armthorpe visit Athersley Recreation tomorrow and the referee is Adam Burgess.