Sullivan Delighted - Despite Defeat

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North club Cammell Lairds were beaten 3-0 by a strong Tranmere.....

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Published 25th July 2012

Tony Sullivan

.....Rovers side at Kirklands on Monday night but manager Tony Sullivan had nothing but praise for both clubs.

Sullivan praised both clubs and the supporters who came along to make it a fantastic event. The difference in overall quality in the squads perhaps showed as Rovers broke down a dogged and determined Lairds team who just were unable to put the ball in the net.

Speaking after the event, Sullivan was quick to thank Rovers for their part in a great evening at the club and to also assess their pre-season progress so far: “The game on Monday night was a fantastic event all round and it was good to see fans of both sides come out was well as members of the local community who we haven’t seen at Kirklands for a while, but its testament of what we’re trying to do at Lairds to develop ourselves as a community club.

“I would like to publicly thank Tranmere Rovers Football Club for bringing down such a strong squad and giving us a great test ahead of the new campaign and I`m hoping that Rovers feel that they’ve had a good run out as well. They brought the likes of ex-Everton and Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers, Andy Robinson and James Wallace with them amongst others and in an era where some clubs send out Youth Teams or barely recognisable XI sides it was great for the bumper crowd who turned out to see the calibre of players who played and we appreciate that.

“The game for us was a good test in a pre-season where we are developing as a team and a squad, we face another good side in the form of Southport at Kirklands on Thursday and our supporters will see some new faces and maybe not see some that have featured previously for us in one or two of the games.

“Airbus UK Broughton away was a tough challenge for us against a side that I expect to do well in the Welsh Premier, as well as us being rusty. You sometimes have to admit that opposition can be stronger but conceding four goals at the Wingmakers wasn’t nice.

“With all due respect to Wigan Robin Park last weekend it was very much a game of two halves and some players whom had had a good opportunity with us did not want to take it so it was in the aftermath of this I did what I, as a manager have to do and make straight decisions about the squad. The players who we have let go I genuinely hope will prove me wrong. However, for us we gave them a chance and for whatever reason right now at Lairds isn’t the right place for them to make their mark.

“We have confirmed three new signings. Mike Grogan, the former Prescot Cables centre half, has come on board. He is a strong and brave player, pacey and with a good attitude and he will team up with Shaun Richards, who has joined us. Shaun, an ex-AFC Liverpool player, is a young right-back with bags of potential and we’ll be looking to bring him on and develop him in our back line.

“Also hooking up to the Lairds squad is Enzo Benn, already nicknamed `the Ferrari` as he has some engine on him.

“Enzo is a player who has joined us from Vauxhall Motors and is a utility player in defence and we are hoping all three of these players represent the intent we are looking to show this coming season.

“I`m hoping that the hard work put in by us all, including Barry Ellison and Paul McNally my first-team coaches, will show. When we do get the new season started we are hoping to hit the ground running.”

[Source: SW]