Badgers boss Liam Kay is hoping Retford United’s Chairman’s Cup success will kick-start a promotion push next season.

In the first of two parts, the Nottingham Sport’s Senior Correspondent, Peter Mann, caught up with Retford United manager, Liam Kay, after his Badgers claimed the Central Midlands League Chairman’s Cup with a 3-1 win over Mickleover Reserves.

“If they perform, then we’ll put our trust in them….. hopefully, this cup will be the first of many successes here,” Retford United manager, Liam Kay, June 2021

In preparing for what will be his third ‘season’ at the helm of the 2021 Central Midlands League Chairman’s Cup winners, Retford United manager Liam Kay, his backroom staff, and players, are looking to complete what they all know is ‘unfinished business.

As both the 2019-20, and 2020-21 campaigns, Kay’s first two at the helm, were somewhat shortened due to the presence of an ongoing, global pandemic, everyone that is connected to the Badgers were, understandably so, ecstatic when the CML kick-started back into life, eventually, with the Chairman’s Cup competition, even if the club was dealt a tough draw.

Placed into the same group as rivals Dinnington Town, and Newark Town, Retford would reach the knockout stages courtesy of a win, and two draws, from their four matches, prior to seeing off Clay Cross in the final eight, Sam Foulds netting the winner there and setting up a final four clash with Crowle Colts.

It would be a run they all wanted over at Cannon Park, but maybe never expected, however, the goals would flow, throughout the side in fact, and, after a 1-0 home win over the Colts, a meeting with Mickleover Reserves beckoned in the final where, and in front of fans, Retford prevailed in what was actually a tight affair.

“They (Mickleover) were a really good, difficult side who moved the ball about really well and it could have been game over inside the opening 15-20 minutes but for (Tom) Crosby,” explained Badgers boss, Liam Kay, about that Chairman’s Cup success.

“We then grabbed a couple of goals, and it shook then (Igor Mlynarski and Dean Conway netted inside eight minutes shortly before the interval); they then did the same early in the second half, pulling a goal back very early, from a penalty, and it would take until the closing stages before we finished it off, and with a fantastic strike from (Jonathan) Fusco.”

The Badgers lined-up for the cup final, against Mickleover Reserves, as follows –

Tom Crosby, Jay Paling, Stuart Ludlum, Tom Brook (capt), Daniel Abdulla, Mason Barlow (Kosi Nwobi, 69), Igor Mlynarski (Aaron Austin, 75), Brandon Kane, Oliver Lawrence, Steven McDonnell, Dean Conway (Jonathan Fusco, 69)

Both the competition as a whole, and that welcome return of spectators, was to be a major boost for the Central Midlands Premier side.

Currently on a quest to pastures past, success in the Chairman’s Cup was to be the clubs first piece of major silverware in close to a decade; they won the Northern Counties East Premier Division championship in 2012, their fifth league title overall.

Starved of success in recent years, manager Liam Kay, Captain Tom Brook, et al, are hoping that the cup success opens the door to future glories.

“It was good to be able to end a barren spell at the club and we had to go out there and win it,” continued Liam.

“We wanted to do it right and win some silverware for the club which we hope will put us on the up again.

“League-wise, and it’s as you were here next season, and we’ve now got some unfinished business to take care of; pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down, and go again when the season starts in August.

“Yes, it’s been odd, frustrating for everyone really, but myself, and the coaches, we’re heading into what will be our third season here – we’re just hoping for a full season now where we can go, and hopefully gain that much-wanted, and sought after, promotion.”

Before all that happens however, and after a somewhat brief break, Kay has lined up seven, pre-season friendlies for the Badgers, ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.

Granted there may be a couple of new signings to come, but there’s also the club’s blossoming youth system paying dividends, a number of whom found themselves involved in cup final day.

Beginning on 3 July the Badgers will first travel to Dronfield Town, before hosting Stocksbridge Park Steels three days later; 10 July will see that of Sheffield FC visit Cannon Park, then it’s Mansfield Town at home on 13 July.

The second half of July will see trips to Swallownest (17^th), before Worksop Town (20^th) and finishing off away to Denaby Main at the end of the month (30^th).

“Planning has been a little odd as the lads usually have some time off,” admits Liam.

“But, they’ll manage a few weeks at best before heading back for pre-season where we’ve got seven friendlies lined up.

“I feel that’s enough when you consider the size of the squad we have here; but they’re a really good, close-knit group of players, and their mind-set alone is that they want to stick together, and to go out there next season and the job we started two seasons ago.”

Keep up-to-date with everything from Cannon Park via the Badgers on Twitter, Facebook and the clubs official website retfordunitedfc.co.uk

Keep an eye out for Part Two as the Nottingham Sport’s Senior Correspondent, Peter Mann, gets the thoughts from Retford United’s Captain. Tom Brook.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @jonmatthews28 the Badgers celebrate victory in the Chairman’s Cup final, at the home of Sheffield FC.