PICKERING Town have made the first signing of their new era under Rudy Funk - and he appears to be a keeper.

Experienced goalkeeping coach Graeme Rodger has reunited with Funk at Mill Lane ahead of the upcoming Toolstation Northern Counties East premier division campaign, which gets underway with a trip to North Yorkshire rivals Knaresborough Town on Saturday, July 29 (3pm).

The Pikes have their eyes set firmly on promotion back to the Pitching In Northern Premier League, and in Funk, they have a charismatic manager who is renowned for doing just that.

Pickering is the fourth club that both Funk and Rodger have worked together at over the last decade, following spells at Shirebrook, AFC Mansfield and most recently Frickley Athletic.

Such is their relationship, Funk now considers the ex-Loughborough University coach as a close friend, admitting that he may well prove to be the Pikes’ signing of the season.

“Slowly but surely I’ve been building my backroom staff but it is now complete,” Funk explained. “Graeme is the last piece of the puzzle.

“We’ve had plenty of success together and when he agreed to come and join me at Pickering this season, I was over the moon.

“He’s a fantastic goalkeeping coach and has worked at a high level.

“Everything is now in place on the coaching side and I’m extremely happy with everybody behind the scenes.”

Funk alluded that Rodger would not just be an asset in terms of coaching, but also as a vital observer alongside him on the touchline.

“Everything is moving really quickly, but it’s all in the right direction,” he continued.
“To me, Graeme is not just a goalkeeping coach, he is a great observer and has been terrific at helping over the years. He might well be our signing of the season.”