Time was right to end RCA manager stint, admits Riley
Former Sunderland RCA manager Steve Riley has revealed it ‘felt like the right time’ to bring an end to his time with the club.
The former Bishop Auckland boss departed earlier this week in what RCA described as an ‘amicable’ parting of way as they confirmed their intention to withdraw their resignation from the Northern League.
Work to find volunteers and investment is ongoing as a youthful RCA side look to end the season and preserve their Division One status.
Riley reflected on a challenging period and stressed he hopes the club will be able to move forwards in their search for support.
He told The Echo: “I am disappointed to be leaving, but it felt like the right time with the players having to leave after the money was cut.
“They had been great in taking cuts before so I couldn’t really have asked any more of them.
“It’s disappointing because we were third are one stage and looked to be building a great team, but it wasn’t meant to be.
“I hope the club finds an investor or buyer as there are some lovely people there and it would be a huge shame if the club doesn’t survive.”
RCA will face a tough test as they begin life without Riley with a visit to Heaton
Stannington on Saturday.
Seaham Red Star will kick off the Division One weekend with a trip to Redcar Athletic tonight and manager Mark Collingwood will monitor the fitness of striker Adam Lennox before deciding whether to hand him his first start of the season.
There is one other Friday night fixture as Newcastle Benfield make the short trip to East Palmersville to take on West Allotment Celtic.
Elsewhere on Saturday, top of the table Newton Aycliffe face a home test against Pickering Town and second placed Bishop Auckland head to Ironworks Road
to take on Tow Law Town.
Whitley Bay could hand a home debut to former Sunderland RCA striker Mark Davison when they face Guisborough Town and Ashington are to hand fitness tests to Dan Maguire and Dean Briggs ahead of West Auckland Town’s visit to Woodhorn Lane.
Basement club Thornaby will travel to Cumbria as they face Carlisle City and fellow strugglers Penrith also hit the road for their game at Crook Town.
Whickham are without the suspended Kaleb Young and Jamie Dunn for their home game with Northallerton Town.