Catching Up with Murray Trophy Winner Paul Riley

As Central prepare to take on Heyside in the Manchester FA Challenge Cup Semi-Finals, we spoke to former Central star Paul Riley to look back at Central’s knockout history, as well as some classic ties with Saturday’s hosts.

All three of Central’s last clashes with Heyside have been high-drama affairs, with two of the three being settled courtesy of late drama as the Outcasts came out on top on each occasion. Paul looks back on those ties with great fondness and recalls their close nature.

“They were always close games, even with the first game at home in the league we managed to grab a couple late on as they threw everything forward to give the score a slightly more flattering look about it."

“The cup game was tight as well and it could’ve gone either way but the side we had at the time just wouldn’t know when to quit and Dan Burns obviously grabbed the winner in stoppage time to send us through to the semis and everyone went mental."

“I felt like we’d been on top for most of the game but just couldn’t seem to get it over line, then the outpour of emotion when the ball hit the back of the net in stoppage time was a great moment to be a part of. Then just when you think you can’t get any more dramatic than that, you’ve got the 5-4 game away in the league.”

The famous 5-4 victory that Paul talks about is one that will live long in the memory of everyone there that day. With Central still in with a shout of winning the league, all seemed lost as Heyside broke into a 4-2 lead, but three goals in the final 15 minutes sparked wild scenes as Josh Frith’s second of the afternoon sealed a sensational comeback.

“I remember we had to win the game to keep the league title hopes alive and it was 2-2 at half time. We had a poor start to the second half and then at 4-2 we missed a penalty and at that point you’re just thinking this isn’t going to be our day."

“Like I said that team just didn’t know when to stop and we managed to get back to 4-4, we were throwing everything forward to try and get the winner and I just remember hoofing it up the pitch, CJ flicked it on to Clinton and then Josh slotted into the corner."

“Everyone was running onto the pitch it was such a brilliant moment, Rory running on with his microphone, I don’t think I’ve ever heard commentary like it and it just goes to show what it meant to everyone. From the players and coaches to the media staff and supporters we were all pulling towards the same goal and it was a really special time to be involved with Central.”

With Paul feeling nostalgic, we took another look down memory lane to the Murray Trophy Final as Central picked up their first ever piece of silverware courtesy of a penalty shoot out win against Tintwistle.

“We’d made it to the final the year before and lost on penalties to East Manchester which was probably the lowest point of my time at Central. Going into the next year we already knew we had what it takes to make it all the way and were determined to go one better."

“The final itself was a pretty poor game and then when it comes down to penalties you’re thinking oh no not again but Jordan Hadlow in goal had an absolute blinder in the shoot-out and in contrast to the year before that moment when we lifted the trophy was one of the high points.”

Despite moving up to ply his trade in the North-West Counties Paul admits to keeping an eye on Central’s form, and is delighted to see them go on another cup run, and hopes the current crop can write their own chapter in Central’s history.

“It’s good to watch with all the media stuff the club still does and it’s easy for an outsider to look in and keep in touch. I know there are a few lads who are still there and it would be great for them to win another trophy and for the new lads as well there’s nothing like winning your first piece of silverware."

“It’s great to see Central still performing well and going on cup runs. We had a team where no matter what game it was we wanted to win everytime. Winning the Murray Trophy the year after losing in the final was a real achievement for us and hopefully these boys get the chance to go to a final themselves and put another trophy in the Central cabinet.”