Heard the one about the club Vice-Chairman who woke on Saturday morning to a flurry of missed calls, played in goal that afternoon, kept a clean sheet and helped his team through to the next round of the Isuzu FA Trophy?
Well, that is what happened to Taunton Town for their third round qualifying clash with Pitching In Southern League Premier South rivals, Basingstoke Town, as Lloyd Irish stepped up to the plate to help them through to a fourth round qualifying showdown at Gosport Borough.
Irish is no novice, though, he has almost 400 appearances to his name from three spells with Taunton Town as well as turning out for the likes of Yeovil Town, Weston super Mare, Tiverton Town, Bideford and Barnstaple Town during a long career in the game in the south-west.
“I woke up on Saturday morning fully expecting to be in the board room as I’d hung up my boots and gloves at the end of last season and didn’t expect to have to put them on again any time soon,” the 36 year-old admitted to us. “But two weeks ago I signed forms just in case of an emergency, not really expecting it to happen.
“Then when I looked at my phone first thing on Saturday morning and saw missed calls from Luffers [manager, Richard Luffman] and Karl Lindsey [Football Operations Manager], I knew something wasn’t right.
“The regular ‘keeper had been taken ill and they needed me to step in. It was such short notice that I didn’t have time to think about the game!
“I’d played in six of the last seven games of last season in the Vanarama National League South to cover for injury, but hadn’t even touched a pair of gloves since, so I was a bit anxious to say the least when I got the call and had low expectations due to my lack of training over the past six months or so and my match sharpness.
“I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by my own performance and the team did really well in front of me; they’re on a great run at the moment, playing with a lot of confidence, and it was nice for me to step in and be part of keeping that run going.
“I love the club and my role here is a different one these days. I am honoured to be the Vice-Chairman and it’s great to be able to try and make a difference off the pitch having spent so much time since 2008 trying to help the club on the pitch.
“We’ve had an impressive start to the season. There were so many changes over the summer; a completely new management team, playing staff and a new-look board as well, so, to be where we are at this stage is fantastic.
“The Cup runs are really helping us to rebuild after the past few years and another win or two in either or both of the Emirates FA Cup and Isuzu FA Trophy would be a massive bonus.
“We’ve got a big FA Cup tie at home to Maidenhead United on Saturday that we are really looking forward to. The team is ten games unbeaten now and you can see the progress that is being made week on week, which is great.”
We ended by asking whether he could see more games on the horizon for him now that he has the taste for it back?
“I’ve made it clear that I am available for emergencies only,” he responded with a smile. “This was an emergency and thankfully Adam [Parkes] is okay now.
“I’d consider helping out in the Somerset County Cup to give Adam a rest and now being sat on 395 appearances for Taunton, I guess it would be nice to reach 400. I’m talking myself into it here!
“It was so special to step out in front of our amazing fans again. We’re so lucky to have such a great following here and they gave me an amazing reception on Saturday and helped me throughout the game.
“The whole atmosphere at the club is superb at the moment and our supporters are playing a huge part in getting behind the new team and long may it continue!”
IMAGE: Taunton Town
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