Marine FC boss: Liam Rushton a shining example

Nov 26 2009 by Philip Kirkbride, Crosby Herald

Marine FC boss: Liam Rushton a shining example

MARINE boss Kevin Lynch believes starlet Liam Rushton is setting a perfect example to the rest of the club’s budding players.

Rushton, 17, has risen through the Mariners’ ranks to force his way into the first team and was on the scoresheet in the Whites’ abandoned game against Whitby Town on Saturday.

Manager Lynch says the progress of the young striker from youth and reserve team member to senior squad star is testament to the work rate and attitude Rushton has shown.

The Arriva Stadium boss says the frontman is one of a number of ‘home grown’ talents the club are looking to nurture as Marine’s season of transition takes shape.

But, Lynch admits he is reluctant to place too much stress on players like Rushton too soon, despite recent goals against Boston United and Whitby, and so continues to scour the transfer market to find balance to his side.

Talks with Burscough striker Thomas Moore are on-going with Lynch also in dialogue with a second player.

Lynch said: “We had been watching the progress of Liam for some time as he came through the youth ranks at the club. When I wasn’t the manager here I saw Liam in a couple of games and when I was in temporary charge I made sure to keep an eye on him. He is still eligible to play for the youth team and we have had a chat with him and his parents about what Marine are looking to do by supporting his development.

“That is the message to everyone at the club. It is not about me going out and buying players who have already done it but we want to be bringing players like Liam through. Other youngsters at the club can take a leaf out of his book in how he conducts himself. He is a very quiet lad and is starting to come out of his shell now but has always a pleasure to work with and does what is asked of him. He has just shown that with the right attitude and commitment, you can progress into the first team. On Saturday he took his goal with maturity but again we can’t expect him to play week in, week out.

“Thomas Moore had to go and speak to Burscough last night and so we should know by the end of the week if we have got him or not.

“We are speaking to a couple of players because there are a couple of positions I think we need an element of experience, so fingers crossed there will be a positive outcome. But we are doing everything above board, there are no underhand tactics because we have a lot of respect for Andy Gray and Burscough. We do feel for the Burscough situation but at the same time we have got to try and improve our situation.”