CALLY - THE FUTURE'S BRIGHT

The Caledonian Roughriders bring the curtain down on their first season in the British College Gridiron League this Sunday when they head south for a match up with the Newcastle Raiders.

To say that that the 2004 BCAFL season has been a baptism of fire for the Glasgow side has been a bit of an understatement.

With seven games played so far, they are currently languishing at the foot of the table with no wins under their belts, having scored only thirty points this season and conceded 142 unanswered points during the last two weeks against their local rivals, the Glasgow Tigers

Aside from their on field difficulties, the Roughriders have had more than their fair share of off the field problems which led to the recent changes in their management structure with Robert ‘Manny’ Mann taking charge of the side during their final two games.

And despite all the adversity, Manny insists that there are still positive aspects to take from their first season.

He said: “For the club it has been a rollercoaster of a fortnight. On the field they have had 2 heavy defeats from Glasgow and then the management issue to deal with.”

“However this has brought the team together and everyone is feeling upbeat about next season. On a personal level everything hasn't really sunk in yet.”

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”The last game was tough. Glasgow started the game with twice as many players and we had many guys playing ironman football but that is no excuse. Glasgow deserved the win.”

Even though they have been in the receiving end of heavy defeats this year, Manny has no doubts about the team competing in the league as opposed to spending the year playing friendlies.

And he reckons that this season has been a good learning experience for his team.

He said: “I believe that entering BCAFL was the right thing to do. Scrimmage matches will never prepare you for the real deal and your first season will always be hard.”

“We have learnt many footballing lessons and with almost all the team returning next season then hopefully we will build on this year.”

”Our first season has been educational. We started the season believing that we could make the playoffs but many things never went our way and we are still looking for our first win, but that's football.”

He added: “When we started the season we were very inexperienced as a team. We had few players that had played kitted football, the coaches weren't well known and some of the backroom team had never been involved at this level.”

“Now, 7 games into the season, everyone in the team has experience. Every player has played, some in many position. The coaches have settled into there roles and the backroom team know what it takes to run a football team.”

Now there is some stability within the Roughriders organisation, they are now looking forward to Sunday’s game against Newcastle, who were beaten by Stirling Clansmen last week.

And even though Cally will come into the game as underdogs, Manny insists that his team are determined to end their season on a high.

He said: “Everyone is looking forward to the Raiders game, we will have a travelling squad of about 22 players and although that doesn't compare to many team we have several players that are too banged up to play.”

“We always look to win every game we play so obviously I think we can win this one.”

And as for the future, the Cally Coach reckons that with the new management structure in place he remains confident about the future.

”It is always hard to tell if new management will work, but the team believe that we are heading in the right direction and I don't see why not, “said Manny.

“Everyone in the management has 1 thing in common and that is to make the Roughriders a successful team.”

For more Caledonian Roughriders stories/reports visit the Roughriders Page

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