Errington returns to RCA as club awaits news on next season’s start

Sunderland RCA manager Martin Swales has hailed Gary Errington’s return to his backroom staff.

Twelve months after stepping down as Swales’ assistant manager, Er ring ton confirmed that he would be returning to his former role last week.

He will work alongside the former Ryhope CW manager and coach Mark Cow an as they look to help R CA improve on an underwhelming performance last season.

After securing two consecutivetop-five finishes in Northern League Division One, the Sunderland LDV Park club were 12th when the coronavirus epidemic curtailed the season.

However, Swales believes that Errington’s return will boost confidence at the club.

He told The Echo :“Gary was very popular with the lads and he packed in last year to have some time out from the game.

“We have brought him back and the lads, the committee and me are all over the moon to have him back involved once again because he was a big part of the club.

“He will help myself and Mark Cowan, he’ll be in as assistant manager and the roles and responsibilities will be as they were before.

“It’s a big positive to have Gary back and we are looking forward to getting started once again.”

When Swales and his newly boosted backroom staff will be able to get back to work remains open to question.

It is just under three months since a Northern League fixture took place.

Although the Premier League, EFL and National League have been heavily involved in discussions over the completion of their own fixtures, the Northern League were one of a number of leagues in steps three to seven of the pyramid to have their seasons declared void.

At this point in time, there has been little indication as to when the 2020/21 campaign may commence - but Swales explained that the club’s players are keeping active during lockdown as they prepare for news on when preparations can officially get underway.

“The lads are keeping in touch on their W hats a pp group and they’re doing training sessions online,” explained the RCA boss.

“Hopefully, we can get back together again soon. I have missed it, I didn’ t think I would because I felt ready for a break, but I have missed it.

“It will be good to get the morale flowing once again and to get back hearing the craic amongst the lads too.”