Duo loaned out

Damien Whitehead
By Matt Lawton
February 17 2003

Leigh RMI fringe players Damien Whitehead and John Robertson have been loaned out to North West Counties League side Rossendale United.

Both will be looking to gain more first team experience as well as boost confidence with good performances in a lower league with Rossendale, regular opponents of RMI in both friendlies and the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy. The teams faced each other as recently as last week when RMI ran out 4-2 victors in the Ribble Valley in a Marsden Trophy Quarter Final.

Robertson, who has played in the Nationwide League with Wigan Athletic and Lincoln City, only joined RMI early this season from Conference rivals. However, he has been unable to cement a first team place under new manager Mark Patterson and has moved to Rossendale in search of first team football.

Striker Whitehead returned to RMI only this week after a succesful loan spell with Irish outfit Finn Harps. Whitehead was signed at the start of the season by former manager Steve Waywell but obviously has failed to impress Patterson when given the chance.

Both players will be with Rossendale until the end of the season when their futures at RMI will be decided. Robertson may be released as he is now aged 29 and may consider himself too old to just be seen as a fringe player. Whitehead is seen as a player for the future and will probably be retained for next season.