Interview with Jamie Rogerson of the Trafford Metros

DURHAM, UK – Trafford Metros have made a superb start to the 2011/12 season claiming  12 points from their opening 8 games of their English National League campaign. Pro Hockey News recently got the opportunity to speak to Metros leading marksmen this term Jamie Rogerson who also currently tops the scoring charts for the whole of ENL North Division 1 with 17 points in the 6 games he has iced in.
Jamie spoke of how Trafford have managed to progress from a side at the foot of the table last year to a side competing with the best teams at the top of the table this time round.
“I think the last couple of seasons have been more about team building. The team as a whole is quite a young team, so I think the last couple of years have been more about letting the youngsters gain the experience they need to play at ENL level and at the same time letting the team bond together.
“This season, the team spirit has been awesome and everyone is playing for each other. Every single player on the team has a role to play and everyone is willing to stand up for their teammates.”
Rogerson went on to speak on how Metros superb start to the season could progress.
“I don’t see any reason why our current form won’t continue throughout the year so I would definitely like to think that we have a shot at the title. The way we have begun the season proves that. We have had some excellent results so far, and the 2 games we have lost have been when we were missing quite a few players, so as long as everyone stays fit, I think we have a good chance.”
Trafford will have to compete against many established ENL North sides if they are to remain in the hunt for honours come the end of the current campaign.
“I think there’s a few teams that will be up there come the end of the season. Whitley have been the dominating team for the last couple of seasons but now Billingham are back. The Warriors obviously lost quite a few players who returned to Billingham and that has evened the league out. I do think we have a great chance though this season.”
Trafford have already picked up a number of impressive victories this term including a 5-0 victory over Blackburn and a 7-2 away win at the Nottingham Lions and Metros are currently going into every game believing they have enough quality to come away with a positive result.
“As long as we have our team at full strength, we can come away from every game with both points. The confidence and team spirit is great at the moment.”
There has been much talk of how the Metros use of 2 Manchester Phoenix youngsters on 2 way contracts has benefited Trafford early on this season.
“Ciaran (Long) and Josh (Ward) only played the games against Nottingham and Telford at home and Ciaran played in Solihull. Obviously it was great for us to get the experience of playing with 2 EPL players.
“But I think recent results, starting with the 7-2 away win in Nottingham, without them proves that it is very unfair to put our early success down to them playing for us. I think a lot of people say this because we are surprising teams this season, but we continue to win without them, as our 5-0 win against Blackburn at home and 4 – 0 away at Telford proves.”
Trafford’s affiliation with Manchester Phoenix of the English Premier League is proving to be of great value to the ENL North side.
‘”Our relationship with the Phoenix and their backers Comtec Presentations, is very helpful. The owner, Neil Morris, had a meeting with us before the season started and said he would do anything to help us as a team.
“The Manchester Phoenix season ticket holders have now gained free entry to all our home games to try and boost our crowd numbers. They also help with a lot of the sponsorship and our general running costs. Paul Brown (LBS) also deserves an individual mention, as without him helping out financially and in other ways, the team would not be able to operate.
“We are very grateful to everyone involved behind the scenes who all give up a lot of time and money to make sure we can continue as a team and I hope this season we continue to make them proud.
“As an assistant captain for the Metros, I want the team to continue to do well and I will do whatever I can to make sure that we do. It would be amazing to win the league or the playoffs, but I think if we carry on the way we have begun, we have a chance at both. So, personally, a successful term for me this season would be for the team to win something.
Every side in the ENL North Division 1 will be hoping to be involved in the play offs at the end of the current campaign as it would appear that all 9 sides can be extremely competitive on their night.
“I think this season is the most even and open the league has been for many years. As the results so far show, every team has a chance at beating the others. This is only a good thing for the league and I think this is because the quality in the division has increased recently.”
In recent years there has been speculation as to whether Championship Play offs between the top sides in ENL North and ENL South should take place at the end of the regular season. Jamie gave us his views on this from a player’s perspective.
“To be honest, I don’t think this would work. Last season the country-wide play-offs weren’t completed. The travel costs may well put it beyond many teams. Timing of games would be an issue as well. It wouldn’t be too bad for us but can you imagine how the Whitley and Billingham guys would feel having to go on a road trip down to the Isle of Wight on a Sunday night, and then being up for work on the Monday morning after 3 or 4 hours sleep!”
Jamie has been one of the most consistent point scorers in the ENL North over the last few years and he spoke of the opportunities that have come his way to play at a higher level in the British game.
“A couple of seasons ago, I played 6 games for the Phoenix in the Elite League due to them being short benched towards the end of the season. I have been asked since by my coach if I would like to train with them again and have the chance to play for them, but at the time, due to work commitments, I could not make the morning training sessions. I would love to play at a higher level but the morning training sessions mean that I could not do my job as well. I suspect that the money isn’t enough to be able to not work.”
Pro Hockey News would like to thank Jamie for taking the time out to speak to us and a follow-up feature with the Trafford hot shot is planned for later in the season.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com