ROVERS RETURN COULD DRIVE PATSY IN-ZANE

Tandragee’s debutant 16-year-old gives Rowntree hope for club’s future

TANDRAGEE ROVERS intend to get the family feeling back after putting two of the club’s favourite sons in charge.

Neil “Patsy” Rowntree and Gary Magee are now at the helm at Madden Road, a venue they brought more than enough success to down the years.

Between them they have approaching 40 years of experience of playing for the club and it’s that affection which they hope inspires the next generation.

And it’s to that next generation which they intend to look to get Tandragee back on the march. On Saturday they fought it out with the best team in the league at present with half the team teenagers.

The season was four games old by the time Rowntree and Magee got control of things.

Since then it’s been a baptism of fire with Valley Rangers and, on Saturday, Crewe United to contend with.

But the performances in those defeats, as well as an encouraging Marshall Cup victory away at Sandy Hill, has the Rovers gaffer satisfied that the good times will return.

Rowntree told Match On Tuesday: “It’s definitely good to be home.

“When the club came to me I didn’t need to be asked twice.

“I’ve been a manager for five years since I left this club and I’ve learnt a hell of a lot in that time.

“I’ve built two sides in those five years and I’m prepared to build another one here to put Tandragee back where they should be.

“There are going to be plenty of hard times ahead but the future is very exciting.

“Something like 12 players left the club in the summer but maybe that was a blessing in disguise.

“We were always going to go down the road of putting our faith in young players and that opportunity has come round quickly for them.

“On Saturday we had five players under 19, including a 16-year-old in Zane Brown who was fantastic, and only two first team players from last season.

“We’re building for the future – there will be no talk of league titles for a couple of years but long-term Tandragee will be back where it was.

“I heard all this talk about Tandragee being in a bad place but that’s nonsense. Look at these young lads and you will see we’re in good shape for the long-term.

“When I was playing here we had a very successful period and then a lull and then success again and now we’re going through a lull but we will be successful again.”

Rowntree and Magee are being assisted by Paul Moody and Toby Clarke in a vastly-experienced managerial team with Dale Hobson steering the reserves.

That’s in contrast to the make-up of the side which is dominated by talented teenagers.

And the boss has called on the experienced heads to be the steering influence on the pitch over this season.

Rowntree added: “I made my Tandragee debut when I was 17 and I looked to the senior players to