Gary's goal

The North-West Counties outfit are, along with wooden spoonists Skelmersdale United, mid-season favourites to take the drop into the wilderness of division two.

But Blackshaw, newly installed at Dark Lane as Rossendale's fourth manager since the turn of the year, is determined to see that will not happen.

His arrival at Dark Lane has heralded a renewed sense of hope and optimism.

Factors which will be needed in abundance over the next five months if the troubled Blues are to avoid a regular diet of Squires Gate and Blackpool Mechanics next season.

"It is do or die for Rossendale United and it is absolutely imperative that we stay in the first division, " said Blackshaw.

"This is a club with an enormous amount of potential. I really mean that. They have fallen on very hard times, sure. But, with a lot of hard work and application, I believe we can stay up. We must finish outside the bottom two."

The Blackburn-based manager replaced Scott Moore in the hot seat and immediately set about the task of restructuring his back room team.

Ex-Accrington Stanley and Clitheroe man Micky Graham arrived as his number two, along with several new faces, including ex-Rovers and Burnley star Chris Pearce as goalkeeping cover.

A former player with Great Harwood, Nelson and Accrington, Blackshaw knows the non-league ropes. He cut his teeth as manager of Clifton Athletic in the East Lancashire League before a spell at Padiham.

Darwen Reserves was his last port of call and he landed the Dark Lane post ahead of four other applicants, despite the Rossendale board making a written request to tempt former manager Chris Nicholson, now assistant manager at Maine Road, back to Dark Lane.

"This is the biggest task I've ever taken on and the job represents a big challenge for me, " added Gary.

"When I got the job the board said to me that they wanted to see more commitment and passion on the field.

"What I want to see is one hundred and ten per cent commitment at Rossendale. Discipline and attitude has to be improved. There will be no more coming along for the ride at Rossendale."

His first game in charge was encouraging. A 1-1 draw at home to Burscough, attracting 116 to Dark Lane, showed a marked improvement from desperate early season form.

It makes for grim reading. September alone saw Rossendale turned over 8-1 at Bootle and humiliated 9-0 in a miserable FA Vase exit at Brigg Town.

In the league they are leaking an average of 3 goals a game and only Skelmersdale have conceded more.

No wonder, then, gates have slipped to an alarming all-time low with several recent attendances in double figures.

It underlines the enormity of the task facing Blackshaw. He faces up to a Christmas fixture list of vital importance in the Rossendale survival plan.

Salford City, a place above Rossendale, visit Dark Lane tomorrow while Blackshaw faces Ian McGarry's Darwen at home on Boxing Day.

"They are two very, very important games and a great incentive for us. Darwen will be quite a special game for me, " added Blackshaw. "Ive heard Ian McGarry going on a bit about the game but I want my players to do the talking out on the pitch. They are both six-pointers which we need results from."

Added Gary: "I will certainly be bringing new faces in, but the main difficulty I have is that a lot of players are already signed up elsewhere.

"I'm a great believer in my teams playing football. I like to play through midfield and I want to have a side in the first division next season who will entertain our fans.

"But survival is the key to all that. If we can stay in this division then we will be be able to attract players next summer.

"There is no reason why a successful Rossendale United should not bring in four hundred plus through the gates. I am hopeful we can retain our first division status."

DETERMINED Gary Blackshaw has one word etched on his mind as he begins the mission of breathing fresh life into ailing Rossendale United: "Survival".

The North-West Counties outfit are, along with bottom side Skelmersdale United, mid-season favourites to take the drop into the wilderness of Division Two. But Blackshaw, newly installed at Dark Lane as Rossendale's fourth manager since the turn of the year, is determined to see that will not happen.

His arrival at Dark Lane has heralded a renewed sense of hope and optimism.

And those are factors which will be needed in abundance over the next five months if the troubled Blues are to avoid a regular diet of Squires Gate and Blackpool Mechanics next season.

"It is do or die for Rossendale United and it is absolutely imperative that we stay in the First Division," said Blackshaw.

"This is a club with an enormous amount of potential. I really mean that. They have fallen on very hard times, sure.

"But, with a lot of hard work and application, I believe we can stay up. We must finish outside the bottom two."

The Blackburn-based manager replaced Scott Moore in the hot seat and immediately set about the task of restructuring his backroom team.

Ex-Accrington Stanley and Clitheroe man Micky Graham arrived as his number two, along with several new faces, including ex-Rovers and Burnley star Chris Pearce as goalkeeping cover.

A former player with Great Harwood, Nelson and Accrington, Blackshaw knows the non-league ropes. He cut his teeth as manager of Clifton Athletic in the East Lancashire League before a spell at Padiham.

Darwen Reserves was his last port of call and he landed the Dark Lane post ahead of four other applicants, despite the Rossendale board making a written request to tempt former manager Chris Nicholson, now assistant manager at Maine Road, back to Dark Lane.

"This is the biggest task I've ever taken on and the job represents a big challenge for me," added Gary.

"When I got the job the board said to me that they wanted to see more commitment and passion on the field.

"What I want to see is 110 per cent commitment at Rossendale. Discipline and attitude has to be improved. There will be no more coming along for the ride at Rossendale."

His first game in charge was encouraging. A 1-1 draw at home to Burscough, attracting 116 to Dark Lane, showed a marked improvement from desperate early season form.

It makes for grim reading. September alone saw Rossendale turned over 8-1 at Bootle and humiliated 9-0 in a miserable FA Vase exit at Brigg Town.

In the league they are leaking an average of three goals a game and only Skelmersdale have conceded more.

No wonder, then, gates have slipped to an alarming all-time low with several recent attendances in JUST double figures.

It underlines the enormity of the task facing Blackshaw. He faces up to a Christmas fixture list of vital importance in the Rossendale survival plan.

Salford City, a place above Rossendale, visit Dark Lane tomorrow while Blackshaw faces Ian McGarry's Darwen at home on Boxing Day.

"They are two very, very important games and a great incentive for us. Darwen will be quite a special game for me," added Blackshaw.

"I've heard Ian McGarry going on a bit about the game but I want my players to do the talking out on the pitch. They are both six-pointers which we need results from." Added Gary: "I will certainly be bringing new faces in, but the main difficulty I have is that a lot of players are already signed up elsewhere.

"I'm a great believer in my teams playing football. I like to play through midfield and I want to have a side in the First Division next season who will entertain our fans.

"But survival is the key to all that. If we can stay in this Division then we will be be able to attract players next summer.

"There is no reason why a successful Rossendale United should not bring in four hundred plus through the gates."

Former Blackburn Rovers apprentice Akeel Kadir will make his Rossendale United debut in tomorrow's clash with Salford City at Dark Lane.

Former Bury professional Stuart Branagan has also linked up with Rossendale as new manager Gary Blackshaw continues to strengthen his squad.

But centre-half Paul Smith is unavailable. Rossendale have released the experienced Jimmy Gemmell.

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