Footballers generally say they only have their eyes on the next game. But Bristol Rover’s captain is taking a long view.
Stuart Campbell has just started his coaching badges and is studying part-time alongside teammate Craig Hinton in Yeovil.
“It’s important to have something for when you can’t play professionally any more,” said the 30-year-old captain who joined Rovers from Grimsby in 2004.
Hinton, also 30, who has just signed a 12-month contract extension to keep him at Rovers next season, was equally realistic. “When you are younger you think you can play forever,” he said. “But when you get to our age you realise, sadly, that you can’t.”
Before heading off into coaching both players are looking forward to tasting further success with Rovers following last season’s promotion. But they are equally in the dark as to where Rovers will be playing next season while the Memorial Stadium is being redeveloped.
“Everyone thinks we know everything, but we are the last to know,” said Campbell. “We didn’t even know we’d signed two players (Wayne Andrews and Jeff Hughes) till we were stood with Lennie (Lawrence) at the bar when we came in. The fans probably know more about it than us.
“We’re doing our coaching badges with the Yeovil lads. It’s about an hour-and-a-half down there so it’s quite far.
“Cheltenham’s quite far as well but it’s a cracking surface to play on. I’m not really bothered. Whichever has the nicest pitch. “I don’t want to bleat on about it but the Memorial Stadium pitch isn’t up to scratch. It’s one of those things we have to adapt to and we will.”
Stuart Campbell has just started his coaching badges and is studying part-time alongside teammate Craig Hinton in Yeovil.
“It’s important to have something for when you can’t play professionally any more,” said the 30-year-old captain who joined Rovers from Grimsby in 2004.
Hinton, also 30, who has just signed a 12-month contract extension to keep him at Rovers next season, was equally realistic. “When you are younger you think you can play forever,” he said. “But when you get to our age you realise, sadly, that you can’t.”
Before heading off into coaching both players are looking forward to tasting further success with Rovers following last season’s promotion. But they are equally in the dark as to where Rovers will be playing next season while the Memorial Stadium is being redeveloped.
“Everyone thinks we know everything, but we are the last to know,” said Campbell. “We didn’t even know we’d signed two players (Wayne Andrews and Jeff Hughes) till we were stood with Lennie (Lawrence) at the bar when we came in. The fans probably know more about it than us.
“We’re doing our coaching badges with the Yeovil lads. It’s about an hour-and-a-half down there so it’s quite far.
“Cheltenham’s quite far as well but it’s a cracking surface to play on. I’m not really bothered. Whichever has the nicest pitch. “I don’t want to bleat on about it but the Memorial Stadium pitch isn’t up to scratch. It’s one of those things we have to adapt to and we will.”
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