Evo Stik Division One North
Goole joint bosses Derry Robson (centre) and David Taylor (right)
Two of the youngest managers in semi-professional football are determined to repay the directors who appointed them by guiding their club away from the relegation zone.
The appointment of Derry Robson, 22 and David Taylor, 23, as joint managers of Goole AFC two weeks ago surprised many, but the pair have enjoyed a whirlwind start after collecting seven points out of their opening three league games.
Even with the good form, many would still say the long-serving pair should be concentrating on playing rather managing at their age – especially at a club who is now onto its fourth management team of 2016.
“We were up for the challenge,” Taylor told Non League Yorkshire, when explaining why he and Robson pursued the vacancy when Dave Anderson was sacked.
“We have seen many managers come and go at Goole.
“Derry has been here longer than I have, but we have been here a while and we have seen chopping and changing, things not working.
“So we decided that since we had been here the longest, so why not apply and give it a go?
“We don’t believe age affects anything. When people say they have this coaching badge and this coaching badge, it doesn’t mean they know everything.
“We’ll let results do the talking. If we carry on as we are, we’ll be alright. The effort from the lads shows that they are on our side.
“We have a lot of passion for Goole. Myself and Derry have been here a long time and it is one of those clubs which grabs you and makes you want to stay.
“There has been times when we could have easily jumped ship, but we have stuck by the club. In some sense, they have rewarded us for staying put. Now we want to reward them and we thank the chairmen for the opportunity.”
Derry Robson in action for Goole AFC
David Taylor in action for Goole
Robson has played under nine managers at Goole, while Taylor has seen eight arrive and then depart since joining the club in 2012 when John Reed briefly held court in the manager’s office.
With such instability, it should not be a surprise that Goole find themselves rooted in serious relegation danger.
But there is hope for a brighter outlook for the rest of the season. The seven points collected in the draw at Kendal and the wins over Colwyn Bay and Ossett Albion has put Goole third-bottom on goal-difference.
The rookie pair suffered their first defeat on Monday in the West Riding County Cup defeat at Brighouse Town, but that reverse has not made Taylor downbeat.
“They did us proud again on Monday and they need to know that,” he said.
“Since we were appointed, the results show they have done us proud. They have shown some quality and they have been magnificent.
“The lads seem to have bought into what we have asked of them. We ask for 100% commitment. We have a talented bunch of lads. I know that it hasn’t been shown over the last couple of seasons.
“On Saturday (at Kendall) we had chances, we hit the post and we could have easily got our third win on the bounce in the league.
“If we carry on as we are, I’m sure we’ll be alright. We’re not showing any fear.”
Another side-effect of constant manager upheaval is the revolving door of playing coming and going.
Goole started the season with Lee Morris in charge and some players chose to leave when he departed to Frickley. It meant Anderson was forced to quickly rebuild the side.
But when Anderson was harshly sacked, a host of players, including Hull-based pair Louis Kirk and Connor Harman. refused to return.
So, combined with injuries and suspensions, Taylor and Robson have had to recruit sharply to make sure Goole got a side out.
Rob Constable, Thomas Beaurepaire, Sam Liversidge and Matt Semley are four players that have been hastily signed up.
That said, Taylor and Robson do not plan to make many more additions.
“The word stressful doesn’t match these last few weeks (in terms of the squad),” admits Taylor. “It has been hard, but it was always going to be.
“The players who have come in have been outstanding. I could not name you individuals because as a team they have been excellent and they have gelled in such a short space of time.
“We don’t want to bring players in game after game because we have seen it here season after season and it affects morale and the team.
“We’re trying to work on morale and I think you can see on-the-field the team spirit. It is something that has been missing. We have real togetherness and that is something we wanted to create.”
It does a bit harder tomorrow as seemingly unstoppable promotion-chasers Trafford visit the Victoria Pleasure Grounds.