Liam Sutcliffe has praised the performance of his team as University of Derby 1st XI were promoted to the BUCS top division after a 2-2 draw at Kedleston Road.
Derby needed just one point to get promotion, but Sutcliffe told the players they needed to win the game.
In a game that saw three players sent off, left back Charlie Holliday scored both Derby goals to rescue a crucial draw in their promotion race.
Sutcliffe was full of praise for his team and complimented their work rate throughout the season
He said: “The players worked incredibly hard, and as I said to the players, it kind of summed up the whole season.
“We’ve achieved everything we set out to do and I’m ever so proud of them.”
Sutcliffe went on to praise Holliday whose first goal was a excellent low driven shot after a quick team move.
“Charlie’s been on an emotional and psychological journey to be where he is today,” Sutcliffe added.
“He is a much better player than when he first started with us and i’m so pleased for him.”
When asked about why he told the players they needed to win, despite only needing to draw, Sutcliffe said he remembered advice from the late legendary manager Sir Bobby Robson.
“I got taught by a very famous football manager [Sir Bobby Robson] that you have to be a better actor than a manager.”
Derby took the lead as Holliday’s low driven effort went into the bottom right corner, but Oxford equalised as Finn Ryan-Phillips finished from the edge of the box.
The home side were forced to play with ten men after Arnold Marimbe was given a second yellow for kicking the ball away.
Despite the sending off, the Derby manager was full of praise for the midfield player and mentioned the special relationship that they have.
He said: “There will never be any issues between me and Arnold.
“He is like a son I never had and I’ll give him a call in a few days to see how he is.”
Sutcliffe was asked questions about the plans for the summer, and he said that the team will play again this season.
He said: “We will definitely playing two professional clubs between now and the first week of May.”
