Focus On……Robbie O`Keefe

Series continues on players who have spent some of their careers as a player or manager in the Southern League.

Rob was an excellent midfielder who actually started his playing days as a teenager with the club where he was to later enjoy tremendous success, Arlesey Town.

After a spell with Vauxhall Motors, he joined Wealdstone in the Conference.

Rob then arrived at Stevenage Borough as a highly experienced midfielder to lead the club’s charge out of Isthmian League Division Two North.

Rob was highly significant in a resurgent Hitchin Town during the 1990s.

Then, under Rob`s guidance as player/joint manager with Phil Cavener, Arlesey Town were crowned as champions of the South Midlands League in 1994/95.

The team also embarked on a memorable FA Vase run in the same season, twelve months after reaching the quarter final stage.

Hoddesdon Town, Boston Town, Barnstaple Town, Diss Town and Cammell Laird were all defeated.

In the semi-final tie against Raunds Town, Arlesey trailed 3-0 after the first leg at Kiln Park before a thumping 5-0 win at Lamb Meadow set up a Wembley final against Oxford City.

Goals from Paul Palma and a winner from Sandor Gyalog 10 minutes from time secured Arlesey 2-1 win to lift the trophy.

May 1997 saw Rob tender his resignation at Arlesey, moving on to a higher grade of football with Southern League Baldock Town.

Rob was manager of Hitchin Town between 2001 and 2003 before being replaced by former Chelsea and England striker Kerry Dixon and returned to the club in 2009 as director of youth football.

In May 2016, Rob was appointed as joint manager of Southern League Premier Division side St Neots Town alongside Andy Davies, whilst remaining as academy manager at Stevenage.

However, family commitments forced Rob to drop his St Neots role the following August.

Clubs Played For:

Wealdstone, Stevenage Borough, Hitchin Town, Baldock Town and Arlesey Town

Best game played In?

The FA Vase Final 1995 - Arlesey Town versus Oxford City.

Best 11 Played With?

1.GK Tony Luff - Hitchin Town. Hands like shovels and could throw the ball as far as he could kick it.

2. RB Martin Allinson - Baldock Town - `Mr Reliable`. Always made the game look really easy and rarely got beat in 1v1s.

3.LB Gary Bambrick - Arlesey Town. Relentless energy up and down the pitch always an 8/10 minimum.

4. CM Alan West (pictured). Player-manager at Hitchin Town and ex-Luton Town captain. Could put the ball wherever you wanted whenever you wanted it.

5.CH Steve Fountain - Hitchin Town. Only had a short spell playing with him when I was on loan from Wealdstone but a great defender who could ping it.

6. CH Paul Bowgett - Wealdstone. Ferocious defender who scared the hell out of me but had a wand of a left foot.

7. RM Sandor Gyalog - Arlesey Town. Scored the winner at Wembley. Could never work out how he wasn’t a pro.

8. CM Robin Wainwright - Wealdstone. `Horse`. Also, my chauffeur back in the day when I was learning to drive. Unbelievable engine and could mix it with the best.

9.CF Rob McComb - Stevenage. Played with him for a season at Stevenage. Never looked like he was trying but scored every week.

10. Neil Cordice - Wealdstone. Always felt he would nick a goal. Frightening pace.

11. LM Graham Cox - Stevenage/ Arlesey Town. Another wand of a left foot controlled the tempo of virtually every game he played.

Subs

12. GK Steve Young - Arlesey Town. MOM at Wembley - that’s enough to get you in any squad!

14 Colin Hull - Arlesey Town unbelievable centre-half who I can only ever remember making one mistake in all my time playing with him.

15. CM. Vinnie Jones - Wealdstone. In the car-pool with Robin Wainwright. Could see he was a real talent even though we only played half a season together. Got his move to Wimbledon - not sure what he’s doing now!!

16. CF Barry Ferdinand - Stevenage. Could beat anyone in tight areas and always a goal threat.

17. Steve Miller - Hitchin Town. Colossal talent who could play anywhere. Struggled with injuries but always had a big impact on games.

Best Captain?

Gordon Brown - Baldock Town. Really helped me and talked me through games early in my career. Organised everything!!

Funniest Team-Mate?

Absolute tie between Paul Grant Hitchin and Neil Kane of Arlesey. Both had great humour and could go for days.

Best Manager?

Brian Williams - Stevenage. 24 x 8 and you can’t hit it. Those who played for him know!!

Best Mate in Football?

I’ve made so many friends that I’m still in touch with today so couldn’t name just one.

Are You Still Involved in the Game?

Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to work in football all my life. I’m the current academy manager at Stevenage FC.

Words of Advice?

My message would be to don’t let one person`s opinion define your career. Progress isn’t a straight upward line, it’s full of bumps and downhill lines. Keep believing in yourself and fail because you weren’t quite good, enough not because you gave up or looked for reasons why you couldn’t or can’t (sorry that’s my academy manager`s head on!!)