Gee - "Only way is up for Wrens."

THE only way is up for Evo-Stik NPL club Rainworth MW after they hit the bottom of the Division One South table on Tuesday night without kicking a ball.

New Wrens’ boss Kevin Gee has only been able to watch helpless as, on the day of the announcement of his appointment last Saturday, Market Drayton’s draw at Hucknall dumped his new club into the relegation places.

Then basement club Shepshed’s shock 2-1 win at Kidsgrove on Tuesday night also lifted them above Rainworth who fell to rock bottom, having topped the table after the first two matches of the season.

Gee could hardly have a tougher start to his new job than to be facing league leaders Ilkeston on Saturday in a bottom v top showdown and then following that up with a home game against much-improved Leek Town on Tuesday night.

Following his appointment, Gee warned Rainworth fans that he has no magic wand that will turn things around straight away, saying: “It’s all about hard work and application, and remaining together as a group both on and off the field.

“We (that is Gee and assistant Lee Wilkinson who has stepped down from the top job) met the current squad on Monday to discuss a few things and outline what we hope to achieve, and we will set goals during different parts of the season.
“But our first aim is to ensure that we keep the team spirit going in the dressing room through this transitional period and start to try and climb the table, although our main objective for this season must be to retain our Evo-Stik League membership come April.

“We have a limited budget to work to and all parties have to respect that, but hard work and discipline costs nothing so we all roll up our sleeves and look forward to welcoming the league leaders Ilkeston next weekend.”

Gee has called on the fans to play their part in turning around the club’s fortunes, adding: “The fans are going to play a huge part over the next 26 weeks, so I hope that everyone gets behind the club, especially when we don’t win games because that’s when it’s especially important – I’m sure everyone who watched the Loughborough game will appreciate the effort all the squad put in to try to achieve a positive result.

“This is a hard division, but Rainworth is no different to any other club. However, when games are close you’ve got to turn those close games into points, so at the end of April, if we are above two other clubs in the division, I’ll be delighted.

“There are a few ex-Glapwell players here who already know what I am about, that I am a winner, and the others will also learn that quite quickly.”

With neighbours Mansfield Town having no game, Rainworth are expecting a bumper gate for the local derby, which they have identified as a family charity day, during which they will be looking also to raise funds for their adopted charity, the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

A cheque for £120 will be presented to the charity at Saturday’s game, being funds raised at a recent friendly against Worksop Town.

The Wrens announced a deal in pre-season whereby Mansfield season-ticket holders would be admitted to Kirklington Road at the concessionary rate on days when the Stags are either away or have not game.

On Tuesday the Wrens will hope to continue the ‘Indian sign’ they hold over Leek, having completed a league double against the Blues last season.