Family affair for teenager Tempest

Ilkeston FC loanee Greg Tempest will be treading in his famous grandfather’s footsteps when he steps out at Marine this weekend.

The 18-year-old midfielder, pictured, is the descendent of Bill Corkhill, who made 250 appearances for Notts County either side of World War Two. But it was with the Liverpool-based Evo-Stik Northern Premier League club that the left-half began his career before being lured south to Nottingham to play League football.

It means there will be added significance for Tempest as the Robins travel to the Arriva Stadium for Saturday’s Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division clash – an occasion he hopes will be memorable.

Tempest, who is on the books at Meadow Lane and in the middle of a month-long loan spell at the New Manor Ground, said: "I never met my granddad but I’ve obviously heard what a good player he was in his time and how well he served Notts County. But it was with Marine that he first came through and at the age of 14 Notts came in for him and put him up in digs while he got himself established.

"There’s obviously a little bit of pressure to go on and play for Notts with that history, but it’s a nice pressure to have. It would be great to think it is in the blood and I can go on and have as successful a career as him. It will be nice to see where it all started for him at Marine but once the whistle blows, the focus will be entirely on getting the three points."

Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at Hednesford was a setback for the Robins but Tempest points to the recent 1-1 draw at North Ferriby and 3-0 win at Ashton United as evidence that they can go to promotion-chasing Marine with confidence.

He insisted: "We certainly have nothing to be afraid of and we have given some well-fancied teams plenty to think about, showing them we are not to be taken lightly.

"In some ways the pressure is off you a little bit more when you are not at home because you aren’t necessarily expected to win every time. Sometimes a draw can be a good result, but if we could get a win to push us up the table that would be ideal."

Tempest picture courtesy of Robbie Stephenson.