Dave Greenshields
Roses, as ever, is the highlight of the sporting calendars of both Lancaster and York, and I firmly believe that we’ve got as good a chance of ever as winning away in York. It will be the first time in 26 years that Lancaster has won away from home in the Roses competition but, I really do think that we are going to upset the history books this time round. In reality the history means as much as we decide to make of it and has arguably become something of an excuse in the past. Roses is a weekend of sporting fixtures and, when our teams look to each individual fixture they should view it as another fixture that they can go out and win rather than the big picture. If our teams perform to their abilities the big picture will take care of it’s self.
When we looked at Roses in York from the past we cited a number of areas that have led to defeats and one of them was attitude while in York. It’s arguable that in years gone by our teams have viewed Roses away from home as a foregone conclusion and as such have viewed it as a ‘mini-tour’ with all the excesses you’d view such an event as including. What we’ve done this year, in our attempts to engender a sense of professionalism, is put in writing a commitment from our teams to conduct themselves as you’d expect a group of people representing their University should. I’m immensely proud of all the clubs that have signed up to the alcohol ban and believe it’s one of many steps we’re taking on the road to success in this years Roses.
The amount of work that both York and Lancaster have put into the event is testament to both the Athletic Union’s and the influence Roses holds over the sporting people at both institutions. I hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend and look forward to toasting a Lancaster victory come Sunday night!”
