Parkgate FC relishing big night against Rotherham United
PARKGATE manager Scott Mason says his team are relishing the chance to lock horns with a full-strength Rotherham United squad in tomorrow’s annual pre-season curtain-raiser.
The fixture at Roundwood not only gives the Steelmen a financial shot in the arm, it offers a chance to pit their wits against full-time pros that many of their counterparts in the Northern Counties East League never get.
Mason wasn’t around when ’Gate gave the Millers a good run for their money before losing last year’s fixture 4-2 but knows all about occasion’s importance in the calendar.
“I have never been involved in it and it’s quite exciting,” he said. “We’ve started pre-season pretty well and we’ve a few training sessions under our belt so we should be in decent shape to play them.
“We’re taking on a Championship side and you don’t get many opportunities to do that in your life.
“It’s great for the players and the club because Rotherham do fetch the first team whereas in the past when I’ve been involved with pro clubs they usually bring their youngsters.
“We’ll have a squad of 20 or 21. There will be some new faces and some old faces and we’ve a new management team in Keelan Hall and Jimmy Gaichem as player-coach.
“As for Rotherham, they started pre-season only last week but they’ll still be the strongest team we’ll come up against fitness-wise.
“They will want to impress their manager, Matt Taylor, so I’m sure they will be firing on all cylinders as well.”
Scott’s son, Luca, will be playing in a half-time match for Wickersley Under-7s and there’s no doubt where his allegiances lie.
“I asked my lad ‘Who’s your favourite player?’ and he came out with two of ours, Ross Duggan and Josh Nodder,” smiled Scott. “He doesn’t really know any Rotherham players.
“The kids will be walking out with the senior players and some of the lads watch Rotherham, so they’re quite excited as well.”
The 1,000 tickets for the fixture were snapped up in two hours.
“I wish we could get a few more in but with Rotherham United’s players’ families etc, there will more people there,” Scott added.
“It’s massive for the club. I’ve learnt a lot about it these last few months and what it means. If a Rotherham fan comes down and watches, it would be good to for them come down to Roundwood and spend a few quid and watch us when the Millers are away on a Saturday during the season.”
Parkgate wish to thank new and existing sponsors, including JBM, for their continued support.
Kick-off is 7pm.