Newman's A Western Master - Assistant Manager returns to competitive action

Cherries Assistant Manager helped Bristol City to the finals of the football Masters competition at the weekend. Broadcast on Sky Sports, the Masters series sees over 35s turn out for the clubs they played for in small sided indoor games.

The competition has grown in stature over recent seasons and there are now a number of regional qualifiers for club's to play their way into the national finals.

The finals will be contested by twelve teams live on Sky Sports on September 7th. Newman's Bristol City qualified from the Western Masters beating Bristol Rovers, Swansea and Cardiff to the title.

Rovers and Swansea were beaten 4-0 and 3-0 respectively in the group stages with Cardiff holding the Robins to a 2-2 draw. The final, against the Bluebirds, was always going to be a close affair and Bristol City edged the match 3-2.

Speaking about the day Rob Newman said, "I was asked two months ago if I'd like to play. Having spent eleven years there I was only too pleased to do so and to win a competition with them is very rewarding.

"You've got to have a strategy with the rolling subs and being able to keep the ball is a massive factor. It's a tough intense situation to be in with no stoppages and you're playing the same players you did ten years ago.

"In that regard it was really good and in the regional matches there's always lots of rivalry. Players never lose technical ability and to play in a competitive arena against these guys was a good experience."