SOUTH ARE LOOKING NORTH FOR SUCCESS
MARTIN RYMAN says he can’t wait to continue South Liverpool’s Isuzu FA Vase adventure this weekend.
Step 6 South have enjoyed a groundbreaking season in North West Counties League Division One North so far and, sitting pretty in second behind leaders FC St Helens going into the weekend.
But league matters will be put to one side when Ryman’s men host United Counties Premier North high-fliers Lincoln United on Saturday – and the boss is hoping his side can keep up their dream run and reach the last 16.
“I’m immensely looking forward to it,” Ryman said. “We’ve had a tough journey to the last 32 – we’ve had to beat two sides who are the level above us. And we beat Ashville which was a Merseyside derby. “You don’t expect any easy passages but it’s nice to have a home draw, albeit once again Lincoln United play the level above us.” Ryman has been with South since the age of 10 and now, over 40 years later, is hoping to fire them to promotion from Step 6 as manager following their promotion in 2021.
“South Liverpool under-11’s was the first team I ever played for and I won Player of the Year in my first and there’s been a connection ever since,” Ryman reflected.
“I was then fortunate enough to play for the club for many years and then fortunate – or unfortunate – enough to take over as manager when I was 30.
“Here I am 23 years later and these sort of milestones seem to pop up all the time.
“One minute it’s 800 games as manager and the next someone said, ‘well if you add your player appearances to your managerial stint
it’s 1,000 games altogether!’”
This famous NonLeague institution have enjoyed a revival in recent seasons having been forced to fold in 1991 after their clubhouse burnt down.
They reformed in the Liverpool County Combination and began their climb back up the Pyramid, winning the West Cheshire League Third Division in 2011 and followed it up with the Second Division title and the First Division.
Now, 10 years later, Ryman admits he would love add more trophies to the Merseyside outfit’s cabinet.
“This season I set our stall out to try and and keep in contention with the play-off spots,” Ryman added.
“If you look at the league table it’s immensely tight. A couple of defeats and you’re out of the play-offs but a couple of wins and you’re back in.
“There’s no real expectations on us other than to improve on last season and stay around the positions we are now.” Ryman doesn’t have his sights set on any more major milestones personally, but would love to bring add one more chunk of success to his already illustrious career before he leaves the game behind. “I would love to bow out having won a trophy in the semi-pro circuit at Step 6.
“I always say I’m still enjoying it. I still get too high with the wins and too low with the defeats and when that stops, I think it’s time to pack it in.”