‘The Showman’ Ryan Poskitt is enjoying his management role at Nostell, but admits he wants to prolong his playing career
The curtain is not yet down on Ryan Poskitt’s playing career, despite his transition from the pitch to the technical area, but the stage-hands are waiting in the wings ready to lower it.
Considering that he was told at the age of four he would “never play competitive sport”, it is not surprising that ‘The Showman’ wants to finish on his own terms.
Journey’s end was meant to be at the end of the season, ending a playing career that has taken in stints with Worsbrough Bridge, Pontefract Collieries and Glasshoughton Welfare.
Poskitt moved to resurgent Nostell Miners Welfare in December to become player/assistant manager to Simon Houghton and Jason Dodsworth to play a final starring role on-the-field, alongside the management position.
However, since January the Barnsley-based striker has hardly featured – hence why he is considering going back on his vow to retire.
But, the very fact the 33-year-old is still wanting to play is remarkable, considering the kind of adversity he has to overcome since the age of four.
“I had a lot of trouble with my legs when I was younger,” Poskitt tells Non League Yorkshire.
“I got told by the doctors when I was four that I’d never play competitive sport, never mind football. I had Perthes disease and I had a brace strapped onto my legs, I was like Forest Gump.
“It is unbelievable that I have been able to play football at this level for 15 years.
“It wasn’t until I was 13 that I started playing football. I played New Lodge on a Sunday and Barnsley West End on a Saturday, just with the lads I went to School with.
“I just thought I’d go down and give it a go. It went well and I’ve played ever since.”
Whilst Perthes disease has not caused him problems, it has not been all plain-sailing in those 15 years. 2012 was his footballing ‘annus horribilis’. Playing for Pontefract Collieries in November of that year at Worsbrough, he damaged his ACL and spent 18 months on the side-lines. When he returned to action, he broke his ankle in his first game back.
“I thought that was it (after damaging my ACL), especially because of my job as I’m self-employed and if I don’t work, I don’t earn anything,” he says.
“It hasn’t played on my mind because when I’m on the pitch I’m wanting to win. People have told me to give up, including my girlfriend and my parents.
“I’ve kept going because of the love I’ve got for the game, that’s all it is. The original plan to retire at the end of this season, but I don’t know yet because I have missed half of the season so I’m going to take pre-season as it comes and if I can play, I will.”
Ryan Poskitt strikes for goal for Pontefract in a match at Worsbrough in March 2012. Picture: White Rose Photos
Poskitt with then-Pontefract chairman Guy Nottingham and then-manager Brendan Ormsby, the former Leeds United captain
Poskitt chasing Farsley left-back Ryan Serrant in a friendly at Pontefract in July 2011
Ryan Poskitt upfront for Worsbrough with his close friend Lee Garside during the famous win at Shaw Lane in March 2014. Picture: White Rose Photos
Ryan Poskitt scored a lot of spectacular goals during his time with Glasshoughton
Time on the pitch for Nostell has been limited for Poskitt
Poskitt in action for Nostell at Glasshoughton
Although he wants time on the field, it doesn’t mean that is not liking his role in the dugout.
“I’m enjoying it, it is a bit different to what I’m used to because I’m on the management too,” he says.
“I would like to be playing, but circumstances mean I aren’t. I’ve enjoyed the management side of it. Jason and Sime have helped me a lot and they’re good lads to look up to.
“I’ve learnt a lot from them. It is a perfect introduction to management for me because they are easing me in.
“Management is something I’ve always wanted to get into. I’ve played in the league for 15 years so the obvious next step is management. I know this league inside out so management for me should be a good thing.
“I managed Cawthorne on a Sunday for a few years, we’ve folded now. That gave me experience in terms of how to talk to the lads differently as a manager and not a player.”
Poskitt is enjoying working with his old Pontefract manager Simon Houghton, and Jason Dodsworth (pictured below)
Throughout his career, Poskitt has developed a reputation for having a penchant for the spectacular goal. His final touch for Glasshoughton was a 35-yard screamer against Eccleshill United.
He has also played for a number of top managers – including Houghton and Stocksbridge Park Steels boss Chris Hilton at Worsbrough.
Looking back and forward at his career, he says: “I’ve definitely not won as many trophies as I’ve wanted to.
“Back in the day at Pontefract when we had a good squad under Simon, we should have done a lot better with the side we had.
“I’m hoping Glasshoughton will push on this year and get in the play-offs. I’ve been part of that squad this year and I’m hoping my goals will have helped them.
“But, for me, Nostell is the future. I’m in it together with Sime, Jason and Wayne (Ball) and we’re in it for next year and hopefully we’ll be contenders.”
The annual Shane Jackson Memorial Day is also a major part of his future. Poskitt and his friends organised several events, including a football tournament, in October, to keep Shane’s memory alive after his sad passing in September. More are planned.
“We raised £12 grand, £6k to Weston Park Cancer Charity and £6k to The Brain Tumour Charity,” he says.
“It is definitely something we’re going to do again, we want it to be a yearly event.
“We raised £12k in the first year so hopefully there is more to come. It is a tall order, but we’ve had promises and things for the next one so we’re hopeful.”
As we end the interview, there’s one lingering question, what does he think of his ‘The Showman’ nickname?
“I was quite surprised, probably as much as you, when it caught on,” ‘The Showman chuckles.
“When I see people now, that’s what they call me. Everybody seems to know about it.
“When I signed for Nostell, the lads were like ‘oh we’ve signed the Showman’. I was like ‘no lads, let’s relax, I’m not as good as what’s been made out’.
“I don’t mind it to be honest.”
The Showman headlines have been hold on recently, but with Poskitt’s track record of defying the odds, don’t rule out some in the future.