It’s a club I love and there’s nothing more than I want than getting this team promoted, says loyal Bridon Ropes player-manager James Doherty

BRIDON ROPES player-manager James Doherty says he wants nothing more than to guide the amateur club towards promotion from the Southern Counties East Football League First Division.

 

The Charlton-based outfit are in sixth-place in the table with 16 points from nine games – six points behind big-spending leaders Welling Town but with a game in hand.

Doherty, 34, who took over the reins in the summer after Mark Murison moved to Wales, scored the goal that earnt a 1-1 draw away to struggling Kent Football United yesterday.

“With the SCEFL Division One, I think anyone can really win it this year and that’s shown with your Welling Town’s, your Greenways, your Kennington’s, there all there or there abouts,” said Doherty.

“There’s a few teams throwing a bit of money about and we’re not! People seen to can’t judge how Bridon have done it and how we are competing.

“We’re lucky, we’ve got a good bunch of lads that are loyal. We’ve had people come in for Richard Jimoh and he’s stuck with us and fair play to him.

“If someone comes in and offers you a bit of money it’s down to the individual. What I say to them is at the end of the day is that money going to change your life? Is it important that you’re going to play football week-in-week-out and enjoy it with your mates.

“At the minute we’re quite lucky because they’ve all seemed to buy into what we want to do and I think if you win the league with your friends I think that makes it more enjoyable.

“Bridon are quite reluctant to throw money about because I think that can open up a can of worms and you attract the wrong players that are just chasing a pound note.

“At the moment I’ve got 18 players signed that love Bridon Ropes and put everyone on the line for them so that’s how we do it really.

“Our committee members work non-stop.  Clive Smith works five nights a week, doing stuff for Bridon, Bridon youth and we’ve got a great under 18 team with juniors that are doing great things and I’ve got players knocking on my door from the under 18s so it’s a good time to be involved with Bridon.

“I’ve been here a long time, my first ever game for the first team was when I was 15 so I’m 34 now.

“It’s a club I love and there’s nothing more than I want than getting this team promoted. It’s a hard season and I just hope we keep doing what we’re doing and we should be there or there abouts.”

Bridon Ropes entertain thirteenth-placed side Stansfeld next Saturday.

Bridon Ropes  v  Stansfeld
Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 29 September 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Meridian Sports & Social Club, Charlton Park Lane, Charlton, London SE7 8QS