A QUICK WORD WITH.....DAVE ROBERTS

Edmonton Rangers formed an adult's Saturday team in time for the start of the 2013/14 campaign and joined the Middlesex County League Division One (Central and East) where their debut season was a little bit of a struggle/learning curve winning just three of their twenty-two league games played. This season in Division Two they have faired  a little better winning three of their seven league games played so far including an 11-2 victory last Saturday. Their first team manager is Dave Roberts who was named Coach of the Year by the Middlesex County in recognition of his efforts towards youth coaching and youth football. The Cold End had a quick word with Dave to get some background information on him and see how the season is going so far..

Your age and footballing history? How did you come about managing Edmonton Rangers?
I am 55 years old and have managed the first team since it was formed in January 2013. I am a Level 2 qualified coach along with youth models 1 and 2. I did play the game in the North of England many years ago but now concentrate on coaching. I also coach the Edmonton Rangers Youth Hawks on a Sunday morning. I formed the club along with Darren Gosnell (who is now Director of Football) and agreed to take charge of the team. I managed Hertford Town Reserves three years ago and also helped out with their first team. 

How is the season going for Edmonton Rangers?
The season is going very well at the moment. We have a good young side with an average age of around 23 years old

Best opponents since joining the league? 
FFC Haringey. We lost 14-0 to them in our debut season.
 
Best and worst results since joining the league?  See above for the worst result. The best would be our recent victory over Eagles United 11-2.
 
Edmonton Ranger's style of play? 
We like to play a passing style moving the ball from front to back quickly.

Any stand out players who may have a future playing higher up the pyramid? 
Kweku Ghansah [know to all has Etoo]. He played for me at Hertford town in their first team and scored. He can play any position even goalkeeper, he is the league top scorer so far, then there is Simon and Sampson Ibekwe who both play centre half and are learning the game well improving all the time as all the current squad. 
* cold end note - Ghansah has a current record of 12 goals in 7 games played
 
What things would you change to improve grass roots football?
We need cheaper training venues and better quality pitches - not ones covered with dog mess that you have to clear up before you can play your game.

Which Premier League manager would your players liken you to? Are you a Tea-Cup thrower or calm masterful tactician? 
My fellow coaches liken my style to that of Jose Mourinho

Edmonton Rangers play their games at The Tottenhall Recreation Ground just off of the A406 and A10 which is the former home of Southgate Athletic. A list of their forthcoming fixtures is below with a local derby game in December against Tottenham based Hale Rangers a game to look forward to for both sides. The club have an excellent website which you can find here

It's great to see the Edmonton area represented in Saturday football. The area was previously represented by Edmonton FC in the 1960s and 1970s who later went on to become Haringey Borough. 

The club also have an U21/reserve side formed this season who play in the Middlesex County League Combination Division. They are currently joint top of their division along with Best 72 and Speedy United.  
   
Forthcoming Fixtures for Edmonton Rangers
Saturday 8th November - FC North West London - Division Two & Combination Cup @ Mill Hill Park
Saturday 15th November - AMU - Division Two 
Saturday 22nd November - LANCASTER - Division Two 
Saturday 29th November - New Hanford Reserves - Middlex Junior Trophy Quarter Final @ unknown
Saturday 20th December - Hale Rangers  - Division Two @ Frederick Knight Sports Ground

Good Luck to Dave and all at Edmonton Rangers for the rest of the season.