A Chat with Dave Rogers
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Defender Dave Rogers won three League titles with Shelbourne in 2003, 2004 & 2006 and has also played with Carlisle, Dundee, Dundalk and St. Pat’s. Liverpool- born, Dave started out with Everton’s Academy before joining Tranmere Rovers as an apprentice when John Aldridge was there. “The Scouser” will play his first competitive game for the Drogs against Sligo Rovers on Friday after captaining the side in the recent friendly against Dundee United.
You are one of the most experienced players in the Airtricity League of Ireland and you’ve also played in England, Scotland, Holland and Northern Ireland. How do you see the League here nowadays compared to the time when you first joined Shels in 2003?
When I came here at first I was so impressed with the standard. So many players at Shels, Cork City, Bohs, Derry City and later Drogheda, were definitely good enough to play in England or Scotland. You only have to look at the players from that era who made the move, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Wes Hoolahan and Stephen Ward, to see how well they’ve done at the highest levels. But for various reasons I really think the league is struggling nowadays.
You played with Wesley Hoolahan (now Norwich City) when you first came to Shelbourne. It’s amazing how he hasn’t been a regular in Trapattoni’s team.
He’s one of the most naturally gifted players I ever played with in my whole career. He can always create that bit of magic and will be able to do that in the Premier League this coming season.
You played under Pat Fenlon as manager at Shels and briefly at Derry City. What do you think makes him such a successful manager?
He has great man management skills. He knows how to get the best out of players and knows how to treat them right. Pat knows what every player’s strengths and weaknesses are. He pulls you to one side and tells you what you need to work on and in the right manner! He gets a good team spirit going wherever he goes.
What improvements to the league would you like to see?
I think one division of 18 teams would be much better as the current two divisions are just not working! Teams are sometimes playing each other six times a year, with Cups etc. Teams should play each other twice a year, home and away.
You work as a Postman in Balbriggan alongside Mark O’Brien. Many local supporters were really hoping that another work colleague of yours, Tony “Boots” Grant, might be able to re-sign for us also.
Yeah myself and Mark were doing our best to coax him to come back as he’d have been a great addition to the squad but the whole tax thing wouldn’t make it viable.
You captained the team for the friendly against Dundee United...
Mick just told me before the start of the game “You’re the skipper-take them out!” I believe in straight talking and telling a player what they need to do if they’re not pulling their weight! I’ve never been afraid to speak my mind though I don’t believe in screaming for the sake of it.
Photo taken by Larry McQuillan
You worked with Robbie Horgan when you were captain of St.Pat’s
Yes Robbie’s gone on to be a fantastic coach since then. He is confident and learned a lot with Sporting Fingal. His sessions are really top class and I know all the lads are really enjoying working with him. I’ve been here for the past seven weeks and can see great improvements in every player’s game already.
And what about Mick Cooke, he’s your type of manager!
Mick’s a legend! What you see is what you get! He’s honest and a proper old-school manager. The team spirit he gets around the place is fantastic. He gets the best out of the players and is a great motivator.
As a schoolboy you played with Everton Academy before signing with Tranmere Rovers as an apprentice. When I was interviewing John Aldridge for the Legends match, he remembered you straight away!
Aldo was great to me when I was there as an apprentice, polishing his boots and scrubbing the floors! For me that’s the only way to appreciate things and learn respect in the game. I was earning £28 a week for two years there! I was captain of the Reserve Team when I was 17.Aldo is a great fellah and is very popular everywhere and I was delighted to catch up with him for the Italia 1990 Legends in Drogheda last weekend.
Aldridge did well as a manager with Tranmere but left when he was totally disillusioned with the game...
I can feel that way myself at times as I really feel strongly that people who have never kicked a ball in their lives, should not be involved in the game!
What ambitions do you have for the future?
My ambition is to eventually go into management. Over the past three years I’m been very involved with Home Farm’s Academy in Dublin. We’ve had six players signing for English clubs in recent times and I get great satisfaction in seeing young players moving to a higher level and reaching their potential.
You are one of the most experienced players in the Airtricity League of Ireland and you’ve also played in England, Scotland, Holland and Northern Ireland. How do you see the League here nowadays compared to the time when you first joined Shels in 2003?
When I came here at first I was so impressed with the standard. So many players at Shels, Cork City, Bohs, Derry City and later Drogheda, were definitely good enough to play in England or Scotland. You only have to look at the players from that era who made the move, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Wes Hoolahan and Stephen Ward, to see how well they’ve done at the highest levels. But for various reasons I really think the league is struggling nowadays.
You played with Wesley Hoolahan (now Norwich City) when you first came to Shelbourne. It’s amazing how he hasn’t been a regular in Trapattoni’s team.
He’s one of the most naturally gifted players I ever played with in my whole career. He can always create that bit of magic and will be able to do that in the Premier League this coming season.
You played under Pat Fenlon as manager at Shels and briefly at Derry City. What do you think makes him such a successful manager?
He has great man management skills. He knows how to get the best out of players and knows how to treat them right. Pat knows what every player’s strengths and weaknesses are. He pulls you to one side and tells you what you need to work on and in the right manner! He gets a good team spirit going wherever he goes.
What improvements to the league would you like to see?
I think one division of 18 teams would be much better as the current two divisions are just not working! Teams are sometimes playing each other six times a year, with Cups etc. Teams should play each other twice a year, home and away.
You work as a Postman in Balbriggan alongside Mark O’Brien. Many local supporters were really hoping that another work colleague of yours, Tony “Boots” Grant, might be able to re-sign for us also.
Yeah myself and Mark were doing our best to coax him to come back as he’d have been a great addition to the squad but the whole tax thing wouldn’t make it viable.
You captained the team for the friendly against Dundee United...
Mick just told me before the start of the game “You’re the skipper-take them out!” I believe in straight talking and telling a player what they need to do if they’re not pulling their weight! I’ve never been afraid to speak my mind though I don’t believe in screaming for the sake of it.
Photo taken by Larry McQuillan
You worked with Robbie Horgan when you were captain of St.Pat’s
Yes Robbie’s gone on to be a fantastic coach since then. He is confident and learned a lot with Sporting Fingal. His sessions are really top class and I know all the lads are really enjoying working with him. I’ve been here for the past seven weeks and can see great improvements in every player’s game already.
And what about Mick Cooke, he’s your type of manager!
Mick’s a legend! What you see is what you get! He’s honest and a proper old-school manager. The team spirit he gets around the place is fantastic. He gets the best out of the players and is a great motivator.
As a schoolboy you played with Everton Academy before signing with Tranmere Rovers as an apprentice. When I was interviewing John Aldridge for the Legends match, he remembered you straight away!
Aldo was great to me when I was there as an apprentice, polishing his boots and scrubbing the floors! For me that’s the only way to appreciate things and learn respect in the game. I was earning £28 a week for two years there! I was captain of the Reserve Team when I was 17.Aldo is a great fellah and is very popular everywhere and I was delighted to catch up with him for the Italia 1990 Legends in Drogheda last weekend.
Aldridge did well as a manager with Tranmere but left when he was totally disillusioned with the game...
I can feel that way myself at times as I really feel strongly that people who have never kicked a ball in their lives, should not be involved in the game!
What ambitions do you have for the future?
My ambition is to eventually go into management. Over the past three years I’m been very involved with Home Farm’s Academy in Dublin. We’ve had six players signing for English clubs in recent times and I get great satisfaction in seeing young players moving to a higher level and reaching their potential.
About Paul Holland
Paul Holland has been the Half-Time Co-ordinator at Drogheda United for the past five years and has produced two DVDs for the club in 2006 and 2007. Paul is also the Meath & Leinster Co-ordinator … View Full Profile