‘I hope I’ve done enough’
Magpies’ longest serving player wants to be at York Road for at least another season
As he emerges from a testing season of football, Maidenhead United midfielder Ryan Upward is hopeful he’s done enough to convince manager Alan Devonshire to offer him a contract for next year.
Having joined from Burnham in the summer of 2014, Upward is the Magpies’ current longest serving player and wants to extend his tenure with the club despite a mixed campaign.
The 30-year-old has made a healthy 25 appearances this season, but also recently went a lengthy period of time either not in the squad or being an unused substitute.
On Friday, he featured against Solihull Moors, replacing winger Reece Smith in the 85th minute as the Magpies drew 1-1 at Damson Park. While on Monday, he played the full 90, offering himself well in attack and defence in a 3-1 home loss to Torquay United.
Speaking to the Advertiser after the Magpies’ defeat to the Gulls at York Road, Upward said: “You’re always going to be biased of your own performance but I feel like I done well today.
“I didn’t stand out in a bad way so hopefully the gaffer has seen that and I can get some minutes against Oldham aswell.
“I just need to be playing consistently again and earn a contract for next season. If not, it is what it is, and I will have to weigh up my options from there.
“I had a few niggly injuries pile up and then my son wasn’t well so I had a fair bit of time out. I think Bromley (February 4) was the last game I played, I came off the bench. After that, I think I had six weeks off before finding myself on the bench again.”
In an honest assessment, Upward added: “I played a good amount of minutes on Friday and today I was given my first start in a while. I am getting back into the swing of things. I feel like I am fit, it’s just a bit of match sharpness I need to get back.
“I’ve been out for a long time and the rust started to show a little bit in the last 20 minutes today. There were a few mistakes I wouldn’t usually make.
“The time out hasn’t done me any favours but, at the same time, it couldn’t be helped.”
In the Magpies’ battle against Torquay, Kane Ferdinand picked up an injury in the first half and had to be replaced by Adam Leathers – a significant blow for boss Devonshire who also lost key midfielder Charlee
Adams to injury at Solihull.
It remains to be seen how serious both knocks are, but should Ferdinand and Adams be unavailable for the rest of the season, Upward is prepared to show Devonshire his worth in the middle of the park.
“I will just take each day as it comes and try to play well in the remaining games of the season,” he said.
“I’ve got to make myself known [in the absence of others] and show the gaffer why he should sign me for next season.
“You do get a bit of anxiety towards the end of the season if you feel like the manager or the club don’t want you anymore. I have been at York
Road for nine years now and shown great loyalty to the club.
“I am at an age now too where I have a family, financial commitments, and all of that sort of stuff but I have learnt, from years of experience, that you shouldn’t let it get you down if you are not offered a contract.”
Next up for Maidenhead United is a trip to a 15th-placed Oldham Athletic who were victorious in their last outing.
Goals from Devarn Green and Bassala Sambou delivered Latics a 2-0 win and confirmed the Iron’s relegation to the National League North.
Saturday’s kickoff time at Boundary Park is 3pm.