Why these three players stood out for Worksop Town last season

It has been ten weeks since Worksop Town last kicked a ball. Since then, the season’s results have been expunged, Kyle Jordan has departed as manager, and Worksop have announced the appointment of Craig Parry from Pontefract Collieries.
Steve McDonnell was a constant threat down the flanks. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill.Steve McDonnell was a constant threat down the flanks. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill.
Steve McDonnell was a constant threat down the flanks. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill.

Worksop had a respectable, but stagnant first year back in the NPL, placing ninth before the season came to a halt.

Tigers media man Devon Cash takes a look at three players who shone last season.

Ben Rhodes first joined the Tigers in June 2019 from Stocksbridge Park Steels as then-manager Craig Denton looked to strengthen his side after achieving promotion from the Northern Counties East League.

Rhodes celebrates with Max Pemberton after scoring against Market Drayton Town. Pic by Lewis PickersgillRhodes celebrates with Max Pemberton after scoring against Market Drayton Town. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill
Rhodes celebrates with Max Pemberton after scoring against Market Drayton Town. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill

Rhodes played well as an attacking full-back, but spent the last few months filling in at centre-half due to an injury to Matt Reay, and with Steven Wankiewicz picking up two suspensions in that period.

Rhodes added that bit of quality on the ball which Worksop lacked slightly in the previous campaign and was often a consistent member of the side.

Atherton clears the ball away against Sutton Coldfield Town. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill.Atherton clears the ball away against Sutton Coldfield Town. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill.
Atherton clears the ball away against Sutton Coldfield Town. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill.

Steven McDonnell was Kyle Jordan’s first addition as manager of Worksop and the midfielder was excitingly welcomed back by supporters, due to his heroics in the double-winning 2018/19 campaign.

Beginning the season at Belper Town, McDonnell started in all 25 games that he featured in due to his importance to the Tigers. His bullish runs made him a constant threat down the flanks, allowing the Tigers to attack with pace and intensity.

Many full-backs struggled to contain McDonnell’s power, with many failing to knock him off the ball.

McDonnell’s strength and style of play has been a rare sighting in this league, and supporters hope that McDonnell could remain a salient figure next season and build on the seven goals he registered this season.

At only 20-years of age, Deegan Atherton has become arguably the most important player to feature in a Tigers’ shirt this season. Atherton has been Worksop’s most consistent player all year and has built on the progress that he made in the 2018/19 season.

Despite his age, the centre-half has led the Worksop backline with confidence, captaining the Tigers several occasions after Daniel Patterson’s departure in February.

The trust and responsibility that Jordan put on Atherton’s young shoulders has seen him flourish once again, featuring 36 times this season, more than any other member of the squad.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you