It's cup glory for Rothwell Corinthians

Corinthians edged out Holbeach United to win the delayed 2019/20 United Counties League Knockout Cup final
Rothwell Corinthians' players celebrate at the final whistle after they secured the KitmanUK UCL Knockout Cup. Pictures by Finbarr CarrollRothwell Corinthians' players celebrate at the final whistle after they secured the KitmanUK UCL Knockout Cup. Pictures by Finbarr Carroll
Rothwell Corinthians' players celebrate at the final whistle after they secured the KitmanUK UCL Knockout Cup. Pictures by Finbarr Carroll

Rothwell Corinthians made history as their 86-year wait to win the KitmanUK United Counties League Knockout Cup was ended last night (Wednesday).

The final of the 2019/20 competition was carried over into the current campaign after it was postponed due to the first lockdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And it was Corinthians who emerged triumphant as they edged out Premier Division rivals Holbeach United 1-0 at Blackstones FC.

The Corinthians team show off their silverwareThe Corinthians team show off their silverware
The Corinthians team show off their silverware

Tom Mills grabbed the only goal of the game just past the hour mark and, although he was later sent-off, Corinthians saw things out to get their hands on the silverware.

And manager Wayne Abbott was quick to pile the praise on those behind the scenes at Sergeants Lawn who have been waiting a long time for a moment like this.

“The main thing I took away from it was how much it meant to the people behind the scenes,” the Corinthians boss said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I didn’t realise until this year just how many people there are who work behind the scenes for the club, they have been here for ages.

Tom Mills takes the congratulations after he scored the only goal of the gameTom Mills takes the congratulations after he scored the only goal of the game
Tom Mills takes the congratulations after he scored the only goal of the game

People like Mick Johnson and Mark Budworth run the club themselves and I didn’t realise until we got our hands on the trophy just how much it meant to them.

“It’s great to see and it’s the reason I am involved in local football. The people behind the scenes at Rushden & Higham United are the reason I went into it after playing.

“So, forgetting who the managers are and who the players are, it’s those people who got the most out of this because they really care.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They get nothing out of it whatsoever. In fact, some of them put their own cash in which is painful for them sometimes.

“This was their first final for a very long time and I am delighted we delivered it for them.”

Corinthians have enjoyed a solid start to the Premier Division campaign this season and Abbott believes the fact they have managed to keep the majority of the squad from the previous campaign together has been key.

“The important thing for us was that the majority of the lads stayed together,” he added.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We lost a couple who went to a higher level but keeping the group together meant the spirit was still there. And I think that’s an advantage we have.

“We have kept a solid core and we worked hard in the final. I thought we were just better at being a team on the night.

“It’s a great achievement for us and the management teams from this season and last all deserve some credit for it.”