Latest / The PCR Sports Show / The PCR Sports Show - Friday 20th March 2026 - with Hope Elkins from City of Peterborough Hockey Club Women's 1st team and Michael Gash, Manager of Peterborough Sports

Transcript

The PCR Sports Show - Friday 20th March 2026 - with Hope Elkins from City of Peterborough Hockey Club Women's 1st team and Michael Gash, Manager of Peterborough Sports · The PCR Sports Show

0:16
Welcome to PCR Sports. Good evening and welcome to the
0:20
PCR Sports Show with myself, Dipam and Nilesh this week.
0:24
Thanks for joining us. Hope you've had a fantastic
0:26
week, sporting wise or otherwise.
0:28
And you're tuned into the PCR Sports Show here every Friday,
0:31
six to seven from our studios here in the heart of
0:35
Peterborough. And I've got a cracking show
0:36
lined up for you this evening. We're talking to two different
0:41
personalities from two different sports in the city, starting
0:44
with Hope Elkins from the City of Peterborough Hockey Club
0:47
women's first team, who've just clinched a title and are on
0:51
their way back to the top division in the in the city or
0:55
in the country. And we'll be speaking to her
0:56
about this season. And then followed by Michael
0:59
Gash, the returning manager at Peter Sports FC.
1:02
We'll be speaking to him about his early thoughts back in the
1:05
hot seat and talking about the rest of the season and how that
1:08
is lined up for the club and himself.
1:10
So stay tuned and you're in for an exciting show.
1:14
But before all that, So let's catch all the headlines and Nesh
1:17
has them for him this week. Hi Nesh, how are you all?
1:19
Right, thank you, right. And let's start with a little
1:21
bit of pity for Sports News before we speak to Michael Gash
1:24
just a little bit later in the show.
1:25
And he's refused to get too downhearted after the nil nil
1:29
home draw with Marine at Pyms Park in the National League N on
1:33
Tuesday evening. The City side are stuck in the
1:35
relegation zone and need wins to have any chance of staying up
1:39
this season. They have a tough assignment on
1:40
Saturday when 5th place Darlington are in town in a
1:44
three PM kick off, but Gash, while not ignoring his side's
1:48
shortcomings, still spoke positively after the Marine
1:51
draw. It was a second game and beaten
1:53
courtesy of back-to-back clean sheets from a side that remained
1:56
unchanged. For the first time this season.
1:59
The City side are two points and two places from safety.
2:02
But that picture doesn't tell the whole story as fellow drop
2:06
zone residents Hereford United in Alfredton Town have multiple
2:10
games in hand in athletics, Peterborough and Neen Valley AC
2:15
speedster Alex Gibb won his race at the Podium 5K on Saturday,
2:20
running a blistering time of 14 minutes and 28 seconds to earn
2:25
him a new personal best. The event, held Leicester Cycle
2:29
Circuit on the outskirts of the city, compromised 5-6 separate
2:33
5K races, including an elite men's and elite women's races.
2:39
Gibb went on went in the fastest of the non elite races and won
2:44
it by half a second. He was actually quicker than 1/4
2:48
of the men in the elite field. All eyes will be on the Thorny
2:53
this Sunday morning with the running of the Keith Hall
2:56
Memorial 10K. The race, which gets underway at
2:59
10:30 AM, serves as a qualifying event for the England Masters
3:03
team and top veterans from across the country will be
3:06
flocking to Thorny to race on the fast and flat course.
3:10
That also includes Pan Vax Alex Gibb who lives in the village
3:13
and is now a 35 year old veteran who will be amongst the
3:16
favourites to win in a little bit of BMX Cycling News and
3:22
youth. Sorry.
3:23
Young Peterborough BMX club racer Logan Acito travelled to
3:28
Verona, Italy to take part in a European Cup event and he
3:32
completed strongly on the his European debut in the Male 8
3:36
category. On day one, acetone powered
3:39
through the heats recording 2 second places and a first place
3:43
before crashing out in the semifinal stage.
3:46
And on day two he again raced through the heats and the
3:50
quarterfinal before a fourth place semifinal finish earned
3:53
him a place in the final where he finished 7th.
3:57
The City Club star raced smartly over the whole weekend and the
4:01
East Anglian Regional summer kicks off next Sunday with
4:05
Braintree Bullets hosting the first round when several
4:08
Peterborough BMX riders will take part in Ice Hockey News and
4:14
Cam Hose. A spectacular season for
4:17
Peterborough Phantoms continued as the Canadian broke the
4:22
National League goal scoring record during an 8 three Sunday
4:26
smashing of local rivals MK Lightning at Planet Ice.
4:30
After a rare goalless game in a four one defeat at league
4:34
champions Swindon Wildcats the night before, HO started the MK
4:39
match requiring one goal to pass Leeds night's player Kieran
4:43
Brown's scoring record. It took a while incoming before
4:47
Ho took a pass from Luke Ferreira in the final minute of
4:50
the second period and slammed home from close range for his
4:54
62nd goal of an outstanding campaign.
4:57
Ho added another goal in the first minute of the third period
5:02
and he still has two games of the regular season to go to set
5:05
a mark that might stand for some time. 5th place Phantoms host
5:11
second placed hole Seahawks at Planis Ice on Saturday in a 7:00
5:15
PM face off before travelling to 3rd place Leeds nights on
5:19
Sunday. It's then on to the playoffs in
5:22
Coventry where Romford Raiders completed the eight team
5:25
playoffs line up over the weekend and a little bit of
5:31
field hockey. The City of Peterborough Hockey
5:33
Club's men's first 11 have powered to their biggest win of
5:37
the National League season. City thrashed already already
5:41
relegated Stourport 8 nil at Bretton Gate, two years after
5:46
the same team had confirmed City's relegation from the same
5:49
division. City took a while to get going
5:52
against visitors who travelled light in numbers but from 2 nil
5:56
at the break the hosts ran all over the tiring visitors to
5:59
record a handsome success. City are fourth in the table
6:03
with two matches to go. They are at Barford Tigers on
6:07
Sunday which is March the 22nd before a final day clash with
6:11
next to bottom University Birmingham Seconds on March the
6:15
29th. And from the City of
6:18
Peterborough Ladies. They reached a hundred goals in
6:22
East Division One, sorry East Division One for the season
6:26
during A5 nil home success over Sudbury, the only team to beat
6:30
the Champions this season. The Ladies have conceded just
6:33
eight goals in their 21 matches and complete their season at
6:37
runners up Norwich Dragons on Saturday and will be speaking to
6:41
Hope Elkins from the club very shortly after the ad break.
6:46
In a few minutes. And those are your messages this
6:50
week. Gloria, thanks Dinesh, loads
6:52
going on in the city as always, crack and sea, you know, success
6:56
and great activity in and around city at sporting sport at all
7:01
levels. Yeah, indeed.
7:02
Yeah, you got PMX cycling. Logan doing very well there when
7:05
he went across to Verona to take part in the European Cup event
7:08
athletics. Alex Gibbs certainly setting
7:11
that personal best of 1428 and he'll be well geared for the
7:16
Thorny 10K which is a very flat, fast course and as long as the
7:21
the wind is not to be felt on Sunday, that should be another
7:25
speedy race for him. And the Phantom's certainly
7:28
flying now as well into the playoff weekend in Coventry, and
7:33
they'll have their hopes high that they can reach that final
7:36
once again and bring home a trophy.
7:37
Absolutely. We'll talk in more detail about
7:39
some of that later in the show. Thank you, Nilesh.
7:42
Right, let's take a short break now and we'll be back afterwards
7:45
speaking to Hope Elkins, who's a member of the first team women's
7:49
team, the hockey team in in the city of Peterborough.
7:52
And we'll be speaking to her about their promotion back to
7:54
the top division and looking ahead to next season and how
7:57
they achieved it this season. So stay tuned, it's PCR FM.
8:01
You're listening to PCR sports. Good evening and welcome back to
8:15
the PCR Sports Show with myself, Dipam and Nilesh this week.
8:19
Just a reminder that you can listen to us in many, many ways.
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So you can listen to us anywhere in the world and no reason to
8:42
miss a moment of this show or any other in future.
8:45
Right. Let's get back on track for this
8:47
evening and excuse me, we have Hope Elkins on the line, who's
8:52
first team member, first team member of the women's team of
8:54
the city and Peterborough Hockey Club.
8:56
Hope good evening. Hiya.
8:58
How are you? Yes, fine.
9:00
Thank you. How are you?
9:01
Yeah, right. Very well.
9:02
Thank you. Thank you for joining us this
9:03
evening and first and foremost, congratulations on winning the
9:07
title and promotion back into the top division.
9:10
How's that feel? Thank you very much.
9:12
Yeah, it feels great. So we were we were unfortunate
9:15
last year in that we got relegated out of East Prem for
9:19
the first time in quite a few seasons.
9:21
So it was a it was a big job and and everybody's everybody's sort
9:26
of object objective was was straight back up.
9:31
And it's it has been a real we method.
9:34
We've had a new coach come in who has really put the time and
9:39
effort in and got to know us as players and and we've all we've
9:44
all fully got behind him and and trusted him and it's and it's
9:47
worked. So yeah, we have new coaching,
9:50
new captain and vice captain and yeah, everyone we've had a few
9:56
new players into the club as well, which always helps.
9:59
And then we've had, I think across the five women's teams
10:04
we've had pretty much full squads all season every game,
10:08
which makes a huge difference when we can, you know, the first
10:12
team can take their best 16 players and we haven't got to
10:15
worry about everyone else being able to fill teams because the
10:18
amount of women we've we've had in the club this year has been
10:21
fantastic. So yeah, so it's great to be
10:24
going back up and I'm confident we can do well next season.
10:29
I hope it's Neela Shear. So congratulations once again on
10:32
the success. And yeah, having that, you
10:34
talked about the squad depth there, that must make a huge
10:37
difference in terms of selection and that consistency of
10:39
selection during the season. Absolutely, yeah.
10:42
We've had, I think we have a squad of 17 pretty much
10:47
available every week. So it's, it's allowed, it's
10:51
allowed there to be one or two unavailable going off, you know,
10:54
on a holiday in this area. But during the season, are they
10:57
allowed to do that? But yeah, it's it's been
11:01
brilliant because we do pick up an injury or two.
11:04
So it's given us that that solid 15, even if we have a couple out
11:10
and it builds that, it builds that, you know, that cohesion in
11:14
the team and you know how everyone's playing and everybody
11:20
understands depressed everyone and you know, yeah.
11:24
It's the game, isn't it? The partnerships that you form
11:25
across the team effectively. I think that's what we probably
11:29
missed last year, so yeah. Shout out to your coach.
11:34
Paul Hilson, yeah. Still playing himself as well I
11:38
believe. He I don't think he's played
11:41
much this season. He played last week and came
11:45
back in and scored a hat trick. Yes, so I noticed.
11:48
Still got it then. Yeah, we I think to quote the
11:52
the Instagram account we are learning from the best.
11:56
Yeah, I mean what? You know what Influence has said
11:59
Paul has had on the squad? I guess, you know, you've guys
12:01
have still got to turn up and play, but having a coach of
12:05
Paul's repertoire must make a huge difference as well.
12:09
Yeah, absolutely. He's, you know, he's been at the
12:11
club for. A long time.
12:14
Yeah and you know we we some of us have who have also been at
12:19
the club for quite a long time now.
12:20
I've known him for years so we trust him and his knowledge is
12:23
fantastic. And the time he's put in behind
12:27
the scenes, the video analysis and player feedback and bits
12:32
like that is brilliant. But he's really helped us build
12:37
such a good feeling within the team.
12:39
And obviously when you are winning, it is easy to feel
12:42
good. But but yeah, we, we, we
12:46
definitely could have done it without him.
12:47
And yeah, big love to him, bless him.
12:50
Brilliant. Sounds good.
12:52
I mean, I say if you had to suffer the disappointment of
12:55
relegation, which unfortunately did, what better way to then to
12:58
bounce back the following season and then get back on track.
13:00
Really isn't in that And you know, you've done that
13:03
obviously. But was there, you know, was
13:04
that the plan from day one or was there like a turning point
13:07
in the season? We thought, hold on, we can
13:08
actually do this. I think once we done preseason
13:12
and seen the players that come in, because we've had as you do
13:16
in women's sport, we've had quite a few that have now had
13:19
babies so that were pregnant during the season.
13:22
So we were a little bit worried I think at the end of last
13:24
season thinking not sure where it's going to go, but we've had
13:28
some absolute superstar talent coming in this this year.
13:33
So I think after preseason we were all pretty confident that
13:36
that we would do well. And yeah, promotion was was
13:40
always the main name this year because being in these premit,
13:47
it gives you so much more visibility as a club and and
13:50
attracts players further down the teams as well.
13:53
So yeah, it was. It was always the plan.
13:57
It's that pathway, isn't it? They say because you've got five
14:00
teams in in the women's section. It, it gives an incentive for
14:03
those that want to make it towards the first team and
14:05
especially if that first team is in the Premier Division or the
14:08
top division. It's just that it gives that
14:10
extra bit of edge to the incentive, doesn't it?
14:12
Yeah, absolutely. I think we are back as the
14:15
highest playing team in in this sort of area.
14:20
So we played with Beach this year in our league and they're
14:24
probably the the two close ones and Spalding.
14:27
So you know, they're not far to travel.
14:29
So, you know, getting promoted again puts us puts us back on
14:33
top, which which is very nice. And in terms of looking ahead to
14:37
next season, then how do you kind of take that next step?
14:41
Obviously there'll be a different challenges now back in
14:44
the top division, teams will be stronger, presumably.
14:47
How do you plan and tackle that now?
14:49
And I guess obviously close season will give you the chance
14:52
to and pre season will give you a chance to to put all that
14:54
together with with the coach and that.
14:56
But any sort of from your perspective, because you're an
14:59
experienced player, how do you kind of make that step up now?
15:03
I think and to be to be fair to to Hilton, every game has been
15:08
one game at a time. Even this season I dropped in a
15:13
few games before the end of the season that we were eighteen
15:17
goals. I think it was four games.
15:19
We were eighteen goals from hitting 100 scored and eighteen
15:23
goals over four games is quite a target, especially when you're
15:26
playing second in the league and you know, there's some pretty
15:29
high up teams that we had to play, but we absolutely nailed
15:32
it and reached a hundred goals last week and we've got one game
15:35
to go tomorrow. So but you know, as soon as I
15:40
sort of put that in the group chat, it was very much let's
15:42
just get the three points, let's just get it done.
15:44
So I think that is the way to do it.
15:47
Focus on each game in hand and if you win that game and then
15:52
you win the next one and the points, the point is mount up.
15:56
But actually you find yourself in a very good position, you
16:00
know, after the after a few games in.
16:02
So yeah, it will definitely be the case of one game at a time.
16:10
And I think we've built a really strong foundation to go off next
16:14
year. And I think, yeah, we'll, we'll
16:17
be a force to force, to be reckoned with next year.
16:20
And do you find that this season has been a bit of a reset?
16:22
Obviously, naturally probably was because of of of of dropping
16:25
down to that division. But then now going back up, do
16:27
you feel that there's a backbone and a spine in the squad that's
16:30
going to stand true for many seasons to come now?
16:33
Yeah, absolutely. That we've had probably 66
16:38
players in this season new into the first team and we'll have a
16:43
couple back next year. But but yeah, we've we've built
16:47
a way of playing and we've been scoring lots of goals, which is
16:51
always helpful. So, yeah, I think if we can keep
16:56
working over the summer, super, you know, keep working on the
17:01
fitness over the summer and then back in for a good preseason,
17:05
then yeah, I think the backbone that when the foundation that we
17:09
have built will will set us up for a good start.
17:12
And it's carrying some of that momentum, that winning
17:14
mentality, that momentum that you've built up this season.
17:16
You know, that would have been in contrast to how perhaps
17:18
members the squad were felt last season and then continuing that
17:21
into next season and and, you know, moving that into the into
17:25
the high division. Yeah, the, the support amongst
17:28
the team has been incredible and also the the support from the
17:32
club. It's been a real team effort.
17:36
You know, everyone coming down to watch games and, and
17:40
supporting, you know, we've, we do a chairman's team this week
17:42
and you know, we've won it a few times and it's always a well
17:44
done, you know, women's ones or whoever's win it, won it.
17:47
But I think, yeah, we've got a really, really strong club set
17:53
up and and so many women playing now which is brilliant that
17:57
there are talks of of a six team which would be a development
18:01
team, which means that some of our under thirteens can play in
18:06
that and it gives them a feel for the game which in turn the
18:09
year after when they are fully fledged and can play at any
18:13
standard, it only strengthens it.
18:15
So to be we were only talking about adding a fifth team three
18:20
or four years ago and we added it.
18:21
So to be adding a six team is incredible.
18:23
So yeah, the support, support from the club's been fantastic
18:28
and the the friendships that have been built, even with new
18:33
players coming in this year has been amazing and yeah, probably
18:36
probably one of my favourite seasons in a long time.
18:38
Brilliant. I was going to ask you actually,
18:40
on a personal level then, how does it feel?
18:42
Because you've played hockey for many years, You're an
18:44
experienced player, you know, how does it feel that you know?
18:47
Yes, yes, there was a bit of a deep blush season, but you've
18:49
come back, bounced back and and then like I say, it's it's going
18:53
to be a memorable, memorable season for you personally.
18:56
Yeah, yes, because I didn't play last year because I myself had a
18:59
baby. So I was actually out and on the
19:01
sidelines and and getting stressed on the sidelines trying
19:05
to manage. But so yeah, this year was was
19:07
the personal highlight just because I was back in and and
19:10
playing and to be playing in the first team was an amazing
19:12
personal achievement. So, but I couldn't have done
19:14
that without the sport, the girls and and the push and the
19:17
encouragement to get, you know, get your fitness back And and
19:21
yeah, and I've I've managed to score a few.
19:23
I'm nowhere near Lily, our top goal scorers numbers, but but
19:27
I'm in second. So I'm happy with that.
19:29
Sounds good. And yeah, like I said, we've
19:32
we've built some really strong friendships with with a few of
19:35
the players that have come in and and they are staying in the
19:37
area because of that. So yeah, really happy.
19:41
And and sort of you mentioned this, the potential introduction
19:44
of the six team that and you mentioned about the supporting
19:46
club, but that that's a testament on many levels, isn't
19:49
it? A for the club itself, the how
19:51
it's run, how it attracts, you know, hockey players and the
19:54
fact that you need to expand because of the demand and the
19:57
number of players you've got registered in the club.
19:59
But also for hockey as a sport in the area as well.
20:02
The people players have chosen to come to the city of
20:04
Peterborough, but also the sport itself in general, the
20:07
popularity or people want to play it more.
20:10
Yeah, I think across the country hockey teams are struggling
20:13
because the pictures that are being built now are very much
20:17
favored. But for football when they're 3G
20:19
with and and it's nothing, it's not something you can play
20:22
hockey on. So there is a wider issue with
20:26
hockey and finding facilities. And we are very lucky in that we
20:29
have our own pitch in our own clubhouse and we we don't have
20:32
to hire it off of school or anything.
20:34
So yeah, we are in a fantastic position and if we can get a six
20:39
team in next year would be absolutely fantastic because
20:44
also having our our other teams taking 16 players when they've
20:48
not got a coach on the sideline and doing all those rotations is
20:52
quite hard work. So I think even having a six
20:55
team would, would strengthen the other teams just because you've
20:58
got a bit more consistency and less, less substitutions
21:02
happening. So I'm I'm in favor of it and we
21:05
just need to work out the numbers and make sure it's
21:06
reliable. Fantastic.
21:08
And just before we let you go final match tomorrow, you said
21:11
of of the current season, where and when if people want to come
21:14
and watch and kind of join in with the celebrations.
21:17
Well, it's it's a bit of a far one.
21:19
We are. All the way over in Norwich,
21:21
Yeah, we are actually playing second in the league who secured
21:25
themselves promotion last week. So we are hoping for a good
21:30
friendly but strong game. But yeah, and I must, I must
21:34
shut out because I'll get told off if I don't.
21:36
I must shut out our men's sixth team to also secure promotion
21:41
last week. So we're not the only ones this
21:44
year that have done very well. They are, yeah.
21:46
They're also promoted. So I think tomorrow for them
21:50
we'll decide I think whether they are champions or or come
21:54
second, but but they are promoted either way.
21:56
Fantastic, congratulations as well.
21:58
So thanks for joining us Hope this evening and we I know
22:01
you're coming back on the show in a in a few weeks time.
22:04
So be great to sort of see you in person and maybe one or two
22:06
year colleagues as well and hear in more detail about this season
22:10
and maybe plans for next season. And obviously by then, maybe
22:13
more news about the sixth team as well.
22:15
Yeah, absolutely. Thank you so much for having me.
22:17
No worries, take care, have a good evening, take care.
22:21
Bye. That was Hope Elkins from the
22:23
City of Peterborough Hockey Club Women's First, who just clinched
22:26
promotion back to the Premier Division after winning the title
22:29
and bouncing back the season after they were relegated, which
22:33
is fantastic news. So great chat there with Hope
22:36
Nilesh. I think she's obviously excited
22:39
and passionate about her sport and, and rightly so, the
22:41
seasons. Yeah, it also shows the
22:43
testaments of the club and the volunteers within the club in
22:45
the way that that the whole setup is there.
22:48
You know, if they're looking to get a sixth team in, that's
22:50
going to take volunteers once again, that's going to take a
22:52
network of players and having that consistency and squad depth
22:56
across all their teams, as Hope mentioned there, which just
22:59
makes for a successful recipe and fingers crossed they'll
23:03
compete well when the new season starts again next.
23:07
Next. Autumn, absolutely, and we'll be
23:08
following it on this show by no doubt at all.
23:12
So right, let's take a short break and we're back speaking to
23:16
the new and returning Peterborough sports manager
23:18
Michael Gash and taking his thoughts about the early days of
23:22
his return back into the hot seat and what's in store for the
23:25
challenge for the rest of the season.
23:27
Stay tuned, it's PCR. You're listening to PCR sports.
23:47
Welcome back to the PCR Sports Show, myself, Dipam and Nilesh.
23:50
This week just before the break we were speaking to Hope Elkins
23:53
from the City of Peterborough Hockey Club, the women's first
23:56
team, and they've just gained promotion back to the top
23:59
division by winning the title and it was great to hear the
24:02
update from Hope. Now with us though is Michael
24:06
Gash, the returning manager at Peterborough Sports just a few
24:10
weeks ago and we've got him on the line at the moment.
24:12
Michael, how are you? I'm good, thank you.
24:14
I'm good. How are you?
24:15
Yeah. Very well, thank you.
24:16
Thanks for joining us this evening.
24:17
And firstly, I was congratulations on on getting
24:20
back into the hot seats at Peter Sports.
24:22
It's a club that obviously you're very, very familiar with.
24:25
And how did you feel when you got the call to to be invited
24:28
back to to be the manager? No, listen, it's, it's, it's a
24:34
tough job at the moment, but it's something that was, you
24:37
know, brought to my attention and, and something that I, I
24:39
wouldn't turn down. I want to do everything that I
24:41
can to help this club. And you know, Tim and and Phil
24:45
obviously had a conversation and and they believed the the best
24:49
thing for the football club was for me to take over at the end
24:53
of the season. So that's something that, you
24:56
know, I've grabbed with with both hands and putting
24:58
everything into it. But the most important thing is
25:02
to try and get results and that's what we're trying to do.
25:05
The first two weren't great and then the second two have have
25:08
been, you know, a good win and then, you know, a draw that will
25:12
take on Tuesday. But knowing that we could have
25:15
got more from the game if we if our quality was just a little
25:18
bit better. But the lads are putting, you
25:20
know, 100% effort in which you know, I can't knock and that's
25:25
all I want from every single player until the end of the
25:28
season and then we'll just see where that puts us.
25:31
Yeah. I mean, you just mentioned there
25:32
about the running now, seven games to go.
25:35
We're just looking at the fixtures here in the studio,
25:37
three at home, 4 away, but the away fixture seems to be the
25:40
more key ones. You've got teams in and around
25:42
you, Oxford, Leamington, Hereford, Worksop, all to play
25:45
away and King's Lynn at home. So you know, you're playing kind
25:49
of cup finals and six pointers really pretty much now until the
25:51
end of the season. Exactly that and obviously just
25:54
starting with a tough one tomorrow, Darlington at home, we
25:58
know Darlington are up there trying to fight their way into
26:01
the play offs. So it's going to be a real tough
26:03
game. But yeah, we have to look at
26:06
every game and and try and take something from every game.
26:09
And really when I'm saying trying to take something, it's
26:12
three points. That's what we want out of every
26:13
game, to give ourselves the best chance we can of staying in this
26:17
in this league. It's going to be.
26:19
It's a real tough ask. It's a real challenge, but I
26:22
know that with myself and and the staff and then the players,
26:27
you know, we can, you know, we can really try and, and do it.
26:31
And yes, it it would probably from the outside look like a
26:34
miracle. But like I say, I've got the
26:38
players in in that changing room that I really believe in and
26:41
believe that we can get results. And I say the last two have have
26:44
probably given the lads confidence and that bit more
26:47
self belief that was lacking obviously with not winning any
26:49
games. And, and it's something I've
26:52
I've got to try and install in them.
26:53
And hopefully they'll take on the last two games and, and, and
26:57
take that into Saturday and take that, like you just said, take
26:59
that into the other games where it's all teams around us and we
27:03
have to take, you know, maximum points off them.
27:06
Gashi, it's Neil Ash here. Welcome back into the fold.
27:08
Effectively you've obviously out injured as well for a period of
27:13
time. You've played the first couple
27:16
of games and then you've not played, certainly not on Tuesday
27:18
evening. But how are you going to manage
27:21
that, You know, in terms of the, I suppose, the itch and then the
27:24
desire to play again after being injured for a period of time?
27:27
Yeah, No, it's difficult. It really, it really is
27:30
difficult because you know, I came back and then, you know,
27:35
thanks to Philly, he threw me straight in 20 minutes against
27:39
Bedford, which you know, I think I did, I did OK.
27:42
And then South Shields game where I think as a team we were,
27:46
we were brilliant for 45 minutes and then and 3 or 4 minutes just
27:50
just killed us really. So I'm looking at it and I, I
27:52
feel yes, I can help the team, but we've now got more players
27:57
coming back. So we've got, we've got a big
28:01
squad again and people have to miss out, which is the hardest
28:03
part of being a manager of, you know, letting them lads down.
28:08
But it's, I have to choose A-Team, I have to choose a squad
28:11
which I believe will go, will go and win the game.
28:13
But with myself, you know, I'm probably in this moment just
28:18
putting myself as a player to the side and just concentrating
28:21
on how I can get the best out of these lads.
28:23
Because I know that there's lads that in the position that I
28:27
play, whether that would be at the back or up front, I know
28:30
that there's lads there that can do the job just as well as me,
28:34
if not better. So right now I'm probably
28:37
looking more from from the sideline and, and thinking how
28:40
can I help my team as a manager? And you know, that's what I've
28:44
been brought in to to do. But I really feel I can help
28:47
them on the pitch. Then I'll have no qualms and,
28:50
and put myself in the squad or, or in the start at 11.
28:53
But right now I really do believe we've got the players
28:56
that can get the results. Now it's.
28:58
The seven games to go, starting with Darlington tomorrow, teams
29:03
around you seem to have games in hand looking at the table as
29:06
well. Those away games that Dipa
29:09
mentioned, they're going to be key in this relegation fight.
29:12
Yeah, of course. And it is, it's the ones that
29:16
that are all around us, we have to take, we have to take maximum
29:19
points of them. And if we want any chance of
29:23
staying in this league, you know, you look at the league
29:25
table and it's it's every week, it looks like, OK, it's going to
29:29
be, you know, a record points for who goes down, you know,
29:35
because it's been in the late 40s or or to 50 in, in the last
29:39
few years. But this year you're probably
29:41
looking, you know, it would, it's definitely going to be in
29:44
the 50s probably. So it's tough, a real tough
29:49
challenge. But like I say, something that I
29:52
won't shy away from. I I want to help this football
29:54
club as as much as I can. It's, you know, it's part of me
29:58
now, you know, came in under Jimmy Dean, under Rizzo, you
30:04
know, they gave me this opportunity to manage the
30:06
football club. And then Tim came in, did the
30:10
same with, with with me and Luke.
30:14
So. And, and now, yeah, I'm, I'm
30:15
back here as a manager again. Unfortunately, you know, when
30:20
when Phil did come in, I was injured so I couldn't play.
30:24
But yeah, I I want to do everything I can to help this
30:27
football club and I'll do everything I can and we'll just
30:31
see how that goes. But there, like I said, there
30:33
won't be a lack of effort or dedication for myself or the
30:36
staff or the players. We just have to really believe
30:39
in ourselves and go out there every game knowing that we can.
30:44
We can get three points from every game.
30:45
Yeah, I think that's one thing that can't be said of your
30:47
teams, that's for sure, is the effort and desire to go in and
30:51
earn a victory effectively. Because you know, you can be the
30:54
best footballing side in the world.
30:56
But if you don't put that commitment and effort in and put
30:58
those tackles in and then the right to play, then you're
31:01
nothing effectively, aren't you? Exactly, exactly in.
31:05
Come in the changing room if you want.
31:08
It's exactly that everybody knows.
31:10
It's the old cliche that you know talent can only get you so
31:13
far. It's the hard work.
31:15
It's the dedication, it's the the spirit that you, you have as
31:19
a team, as an individual, the motivation that you that you
31:23
give yourself and you give others around you that you know
31:26
that make good teams and and really make good individual
31:30
players as well. Because the the talent is, is,
31:32
is just not enough. And especially the level that we
31:34
play at. You've got to put you know your
31:37
your heart and soul into it and have that mentality of I've got
31:41
a battle every single game. But I know if I match whoever
31:45
I'm playing against, if I match their their work rate and their
31:48
battle or even go above them, I then know I've got the talent as
31:53
well to hurt them. So which every single player in
31:56
that squad has got. And that's why it's so hard
31:59
sometimes leaving lads out because they're all good
32:02
players. I suppose that's a manager's job
32:04
though, isn't it? The side that people don't like
32:07
necessarily. You've got to pick a squad that
32:08
you believe will get the job done with each game, and you can
32:13
only take each game at a time. Exactly.
32:17
And as hard as it is, that's my job.
32:19
That, that, that is at the end of the day, that's my job.
32:21
And that's what I've got to do. And you know, Tim's put the, the
32:24
faith in me to, to make them decisions as hard as they are.
32:30
Just before this phone call, me and Charlie Tongue, the
32:33
assistant back and forth. Yeah, we're, we're sorting out
32:38
the, the start of 11 in the squad.
32:41
And it is, it's so hard. And you look at the names, you
32:43
look at the names that are on the bench, then you look at the
32:45
names that are not involved, unfortunately.
32:47
And it's, it's a real tough task, but you, you're not going
32:51
to be successful as a manager if you can't make them hard
32:53
decisions. And it's something that I've got
32:56
to do and it's something that I've got to believe in myself
32:59
that I'm putting the right team out there, the right squad out
33:02
there to go and win that game. And ultimately you only know
33:06
that after the game, unfortunately.
33:09
So, But you know, it's like I say, every single player can can
33:15
fight for their place. And we make sure that everybody
33:18
does. And that that's all you want
33:20
from from a team fighting against each other, but also
33:23
encouraging and cheering each other on if if they're not on
33:26
that, not on that pitch. Michael, how, how I mean, what's
33:29
the feeling amongst the squad at the moment?
33:30
Obviously there's been a bit of a turnover in squad and and
33:33
presumably you you got, you certainly got more to choose
33:37
from and and different players to choose from from the squad
33:39
that you and Luke started the season with to what you've
33:41
perhaps got got to play with now.
33:44
Yeah, there's there's a lot more players, which makes myself a
33:48
lot harder. It makes it a lot easier because
33:53
you're not relying on someone who's maybe not played at this
33:56
level or maybe it's only got potential.
33:59
You're I've now got players that I know can do at this level, I
34:03
know are good enough for this level.
34:05
But there's quite a lot of them. So it, it is, it is really, it's
34:10
a really tough thing to to do. And when you have to speak to
34:15
players and let them know they're not playing.
34:17
But yeah, it's it's definitely different from the beginning of
34:20
the season to now. But yeah, it's it's something
34:25
that, like I say, I have to do and my job is to put a team out
34:29
there that I really believe is is going to go and win the game.
34:32
And I'll do that tomorrow, even though it's going to be a real
34:35
tough game. But I look forward to it like I
34:38
do every Saturday and really want to, you know, impress the
34:44
fans as well and give the fans something to, to cheer about
34:47
because they're a massive part of it as well, a massive part of
34:50
it. And, and the more we get there,
34:52
the better it is for the lads. The old cliche, the 12th man.
34:56
But the, the, the more the merrier really.
34:58
And we really hope that there's a good turn out tomorrow and
35:02
that can really help us as well. Absolutely.
35:04
Quick word on on Phil Brown. Obviously you're, you've stepped
35:07
into the managed seat now, but what kind of experience and
35:10
mentorship can Phil bring you personally and the club?
35:12
The fact that obviously he's he's been at the highest levels
35:15
of the English game, what's it feel like just having him
35:18
around, even at director of football level?
35:20
No, listen, it's brilliant. When Phil came in, you know, all
35:25
the questions around it are, are you still there or how's that
35:28
going to be everything like that?
35:30
I can't speak, you know, hardly enough of Phil and how how he
35:35
was towards me. The, the mutual respect.
35:38
We had a meeting just me and Phil the the day he took over
35:43
and just made sure that obviously I was injured so I
35:46
couldn't help him on the field, but I'd help him in any other
35:49
way that he wanted me to and that there'll be no problems
35:53
whatsoever. I'm, you know, I class myself as
35:56
a professional, definitely a professional mindset when it
36:00
comes to football and my job is to help my team.
36:03
And at that moment in time I couldn't on the pitch, but I'll
36:06
help them in any other way. And if that was through Phil, if
36:09
it's through Tongs Tim, any of the players, I do that.
36:13
But whilst knowing my boundaries and not to step over any.
36:18
But obviously you're then watching and looking and
36:21
learning from a manager that has had so many games as a manager
36:26
and being at the highest level as a manager.
36:28
And if it's something that I want to go into and after, you
36:33
know, I've finished my, my playing career, I'd be stupid
36:37
not to listen, not to learn, not to take things in because I've
36:41
done that throughout my career from managers, you know, great
36:44
managers that I've, I've played under as well.
36:45
And, and Phil's another one. You have to take it.
36:48
You have to, you know, have your brain as a sponge and and take
36:52
things in and you take little things from all different
36:55
managers. And, you know, like I say,
36:57
Phil's been great. And even now, you know, he he
37:00
calls me, messages me anything I need.
37:04
You know, he's there at the end of the phone, you know, and
37:08
being really helpful. He's been out and watched games.
37:10
So we've got eyes on the other teams, our own eyes.
37:13
So reports back as well. And yeah, he's there at training
37:16
sometimes and we have meetings and anything that that I want
37:20
from him, he said he's there for.
37:22
So I can't ask any more of him. And like I say, it's yeah, it's
37:26
a change of roles now. But I think that mutual respect
37:29
is is there, and it's always been in there since since Phil
37:32
first came in. Fantastic, great news and good
37:35
to hear that Michael sadly run out of time, but it's been
37:38
absolutely fantastic catching up with you and and getting your
37:40
thoughts on on how you're feeling and then obviously the
37:42
rest of the season. But certainly from our
37:44
perspective, wishing you nothing but the best for the rest of the
37:47
season. And hopefully you can come
37:49
coming to the studio and see us come what may in in close season
37:52
and we can have a further chat about things would be great.
37:54
No, definitely. Thanks very much for having me.
37:56
Appreciate it. Thank you.
37:57
Good luck for the rest of season.
37:58
Mate. Cheers, Gashi.
37:59
Take care. Thank you.
38:00
See you later. Bye.
38:01
Bye. Bye.
38:03
That was Michael Gash, the current Peterborough sports
38:06
manager who stepped back into the hot seat just a few weeks
38:09
ago and given his thoughts on his his return and how he's
38:13
feeling about the rest of the season, which he's feeling
38:15
confident he's got a bit of fighting spirit and looking
38:18
forward to trying his best to to keep the team in the division
38:22
they're in at the moment. Right, let's take a short break
38:24
and Neil, SH and I will be back with some further sports chatter
38:28
in a little while. You're listening to PCR sports.
38:42
Good evening and welcome back to the PCR Sports show with myself
38:45
and Nilesh show without a cracking show so far.
38:47
I spoke to Hope Elkins, a member of the City of Peterborough
38:51
Women's Hockey Club who first team who have won promotion back
38:54
to the Premier Division. And just before the break we
38:57
were chatting to Michael Gash, the manager at Peterborough
39:00
Sports and getting his thoughts on the rest of the season and
39:03
how he's feeling about being back in the hot seats of that
39:08
club. Good chat with Michael there an
39:10
election. They've got a heck of a
39:12
challenge ahead of him between now and the end of the season.
39:16
I suppose a fortune I think is they're playing teams around
39:18
them. So whatever points they gain
39:20
from them gain then give Those games don't go to your.
39:22
Position. No, there is that.
39:25
It's it's a big challenge ahead of Gashi.
39:27
And the way he's speaking, he's certainly facing it head on as
39:30
well. And you know, the sort of
39:33
character you need at this time of the season is Michael Gash
39:36
effectively. You know, you could hear the the
39:39
determination in his voice, the desire to pick up those wins,
39:43
not just on a personal level, very much for the club.
39:45
You know, you cut him in half and he bleeds.
39:47
Peter of sports, he's. Been there through the years,
39:51
won multiple promotions with them, tasted success and he
39:55
certainly will no doubt not want a a relegation on his CV as
40:00
well. From a from a managerial
40:03
perspective, so yeah, it's going to be a tough challenge for him,
40:07
but I'm sure gash, you'll get the the squad galvanized and
40:11
this playing stuff galvanized around him to ensure that
40:14
they'll give it every effort and they'll live no stone and turn
40:17
to give them the best opportunity to stay up.
40:20
Yeah, absolutely. And looking at the form, he said
40:22
himself. The first couple of games were
40:24
very good but last two a win and a draw, seemingly looking like
40:28
he's getting his ideas across the team and and hopefully
40:30
benefits are being reaped from that.
40:33
We'll see how it, you know, what happens between now and the end
40:37
of season with, you know, they're playing pretty much the
40:38
bottom half, aren't they? Barring Darlington and I think
40:42
Telford, but they've got a chunk of their seven games against
40:45
bottom half and relegation threatening.
40:47
Yeah, and I think the biggest thing in those two recent
40:49
performances is the clean sheets.
40:51
You've got to stay in the game for as long as possible here.
40:54
You know, they're considered an early goal against Southport the
40:57
other week and, you know, after that it was, you know, trying to
41:00
battle your way back into a game.
41:01
So in this instance, they've really got to try and keep those
41:04
clean sheets, stay in the game for as long as possible and
41:07
create their opportunities and more importantly, take them.
41:10
Because I can't imagine they're getting a host of chances in
41:13
games such as these where the, you know, both sides are
41:16
fighting either at the top end of the division or in that
41:19
relegation fight with sports. So they've got to make sure that
41:22
the, you know, the limited opportunities that they are
41:24
creating that they've got to take them and keep the back door
41:27
firmly shut. Absolutely.
41:29
And you know, you never know, you might get a surprise point
41:32
or a win against the likes of a a Telford or a Darlington.
41:35
You just never know. I mean, looking at the table,
41:37
Darlington have lost 12 this season and they've got patchy
41:39
form at the moment. You just never know when the
41:41
opportunity comes along to to grab grab 3 points.
41:43
No, they'll have they'll have a few nerves themselves as
41:45
well-being in the play offs and you know, they'll have their own
41:47
agenda to sort. They want to pick up three
41:49
points for that playoff push. So yeah, there's both sides have
41:53
got something to play for which, you know, could go either way
41:57
really. It could make it very, very
41:58
cagey with both sides shutting up shop and looking to nick it
42:02
or just playing very open football to try and to try and
42:06
get that win which each side will will be craving.
42:09
So yeah, fingers crossed to Peterborough Sports that they
42:11
can stay up because they are they are achieving some great
42:15
things there. Certainly off the field that
42:17
stadiums come on leaps and bounds since since Tim's been in
42:22
there and the groundwork that was set by Grant Biddle.
42:25
So, you know, they need to maintain the playing standard
42:28
along with the facilities that are being developed there.
42:31
Absolutely. And actually spoke there about
42:33
Phil Brown. He's some people would be
42:35
potentially intimidated by somebody of, of that status or
42:40
stature, but Gashi saying that he's he's relished a chance to
42:44
work with him and, and, you know, using him as a good mentor
42:46
and, and learning for him as well.
42:48
Yeah, let's see, you know, everything Gashi said there was,
42:51
you know, testament to his character in terms of wanting to
42:53
absorb like a sponge, take on that experience from Phil Brown.
42:58
Yeah. He'd be very naive not to listen
43:00
to a man of, you know, the number of League games that he's
43:03
managed at all levels tasted success as well.
43:07
So yeah, you'd be, yeah, very naive not to not to listen to a
43:12
man. And but as Kashi said, it's his
43:14
decision at the end of the day. Now he's the manager, and he'll
43:18
live and die by the sword. Absolutely, and we wish sports
43:21
all the very best. Final word, posh Nilesh.
43:25
Great win. Against Rotherham, yeah, good
43:27
five nil win. Comfortable in the end.
43:29
Rotherham didn't offer too much in the second-half.
43:31
First half was a bit more of a battle but Posh fairly
43:35
comfortable in the game and another tough challenge away at
43:38
Wimbledon tomorrow to try and secure three points.
43:41
So with the first time Posh fans have visited the Plough Lane and
43:45
the only previous occasion was during COVID when no fans were
43:48
allowed in the ground. So we're taking a good
43:50
allocation of our thousand or so Posh fans there tomorrow.
43:53
So should be a decent atmosphere and a good day out in London and
43:56
hopefully we'll be coming back with three points.
43:58
Another stadium ticked off your list.
43:59
Yeah, yeah, another one. Yeah, there's a, there's not
44:03
many to go, so to speak, but from a, from a Posh playing
44:06
perspective, good just to visit that ground and just say pick up
44:10
3 points and continue building that momentum towards the end of
44:14
the season. Fantastic, brilliant.
44:16
Thank you, Nilesh, and thank you for joining us.
44:19
So this week on the PCR Sports Show, we're signing off now.
44:21
So have a great week and a great weekend.
44:24
Wherever you're doing sporting wise, have fun and do it well
44:27
and safely. We'll be back same time, same
44:29
place next week on the PCR FM Show, 6:00 to 7:00 PM.