A ROUTE ONE GLORY TRAIL

THEIR name may suggest they adapt a more outdated approach, but manager Sohail Abbas Rehman knows just how to achieve modern-day success – playing the right way

- Tony INCENZO

Rehman guided the wonderfully named Route One Rovers into senior football for their first time in their history after the Bradford based club cruised to the Yorkshire Amateur League by an 11-point margin last season, dropping just four points from a possible 75.

That escalated them to the North West Counties League Division One North – and they are still setting their sights higher following a solid start to their maiden Step 6 season.

On visiting the Marley Stadium, Keighley, I can confirm that Route One Rovers do not live up their name. Instead, their success has been born from playing some fantastic football which is clearly catching the eye of the locals.

But it’s not a success story which has come without its challenges. Rehman is believed to be the only current wheelchair user to manage a club in senior football.

“I suffer from spinal muscular atrophy Type 3 concerning my spine and nerve system,” the 31-year-old told me. “I became a full-time wheelchair user after the age of 12 due to the disability causing more effect with walking difficulties.

“I subsequently studied Level 3 Sport at college while taking my coaching badges. To do this, I consulted as many Non-League clubs as I could. In addition, I visited the training grounds of major Premier League teams for networking purposes and to watch coaching sessions. I thereby received encouraging advice from top operators like Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul Pogba, Petr Cech and Jose Mourinho.

“Beyond that, my first real opportunity came at Silsden where I was put in charge of the under-23’s side.