Byrne: I don't want to be a failure again
WHERE most people would look to forget about the pain of relegation, Cliff Byrne is determined to hang on to it.
The Scunthorpe United defender vividly remembers how he felt on April 12 2008 when a return to League One football was confirmed with a 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.
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Cliff Byrne
And it is something he is desperate not to go through again.
That experience, and the urge to avoid a repeat this year, is what will set the Iron apart from their fellow relegation battlers, according to Byrne.
"We've suffered relegation out of this league before," said the Irishman.
"We had to go through the following season and play nearly 52 games to get ourselves back up.
"We've done it the hard way. We know what it's all about and we're not prepared to give it up easily. Certainly not without a fight.
"Some new lads this year maybe won't be aware of that but they will be made aware of it coming into these last 12 games.
"It was at Crystal Palace where it was finally decided we would be going back down.
"It was a difficult, difficult pill to swallow.
"No matter what people think, or how the table looks, effectively you failed that year because you're goal was to stay up.
"We didn't. We failed.
"Nobody wants to be a failure, especially me. I'm all about winning and that's what we want to do this year."
Read the rest of this article, as well as in-depth look at the big decisions United boss Nigel Adkins will have to make in the coming weeks, in today's Telegraph.
5 Comments
by Dave, Paris
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 7:46PM
“Cliff you are no failure, we went up as a team now we need to stay up as a team. There are however a number of players at this club who should take a look at themselves and do what is best for the team and admit they are out of their depth. We have played some excellent football at times this season but its the business end of the season and I just don't know if we have enough fight!”
by Steve, Orpington
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 2:34PM
“Dear Cliff,
Being part of a relegated team does not make you a failure. The team as a whole failed in their objective of staying in the Championship two years ago but these things happen. At the time I was grateful for having had the chance of seeing the Iron in the second tier for the first time in over forty years.
I am just as grateful to see the club in the second tier again this season. Considering attendances and financial resources the club is over-achieving - long may it continue to do so.
Well done to all the players for all the hard work they put in trying to be "the best they can".”
by Steve, London
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 10:36AM
“Pdoff is correct. I said earlier in the season that Byrne should be in the management set-up. There doesn't seem to be much steel in it, surprising given that AC is there.
Some of the players need the hairdryer treatment, others to be told that they will be leaving and one to be told that his transfer fee was and his wages are a record waste of money for and by the club.”
by iron man, scunny
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 9:47AM
“yes cliffy top bloke mr doff and yes to that other iron man iam the real onesince1957 beat that young man imay talk twadle as you call it but its only because im reading it with all your views haha up the iron the real iron man young at heart old in wisdom beat that”
by P.Doff, Attitudesville
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 7:11AM
“Cliff has a ten out of ten attitude to what he needs to do and his passion for the club knows no bounds.
If some of the other players had the same ethos he would not be needing to say what he does above.
He isn't tactically perfect, he has his bad days but he picks himself up and turns his game around when he needs to.
I believe Cliff will one day be manager here but he should be doing a mini management role at the moment to get the non triers to up their game and ensure CCC football for us all next season.”