Captain Tinnion pays tribute to retiring teammate Rowntree

Reds captain Conor Tinnion has paid tribute to long-serving teammate Gari Rowntree after the defenders retirement yesterday.

Tinnion, who scored a brace in the 4-1 win against Dunston yesterday, described Reds as ‘lucky’ to have had the local legend for almost 13 seasons.

Speaking post-match last night, the midfielder said: “I think Reds are incredibly lucky to have had someone in the local area like Gaz.”

“He’s the most consistent performer I’ve seen, did his job and knew his role.”

“Reds have been lucky because I don’t know many people who’ve done that much for a club.”

Tinnion spent almost seven seasons with Gaz, and despite often getting a few hidings for ‘not tracking his man,’ the skipper has fond memories of playing on the left flank alongside the 33-year-old.

“My main memory of him is playing left-back,” revealed Tinnion.

“I played ahead of him, which was a pleasure, to be honest.”

Tinnion also took over the captaincy from him in the summer, as the now-retired Rowntree became a player-coach and the two-time goalscorer in front of 673 at Borough Park yesterday had some praise in that regard.

“He was the best captain I’ve played under,” said Tinnion.

“He was someone who I looked up to and he always gave everything for the club. You didn’t want to let him down because you knew how much it meant.”

“I don’t think gets the credit he deserves as a player – I think the world of him.”

“To keep coming back, injury after injury, and be playing at the level he has, we’ve all got a lot of respect for him.”

“It’s going to be a big miss in the dressing room and the senior lads are going to have to step up because he’s always been a big voice.”

Look out for more from Tinners tomorrow on goals, being league leaders and strong support.