Charlie Jinks reports from Kedleston Road
Derby Men’s 1s midfielder Arnold Marimbe has his mind set on one thing ahead of Wednesday’s title-deciding clash.
A victory against Worcester University will clinch the BUCS Midlands Tier 2B title for Derby, a feat not achieved by the club in their history.
Despite the obvious pressure, Marimbe seems calm and focussed on only one target.
He said: “Memories are nice but championships are nicer.
“It’s a job that has to be done.
“Once you romanticise it, people start to give the game to fate.”
The reverse fixture saw Derby come away with a resounding 5-2 win and Marimbe has full confidence his side can replicate the result to seal the title.
The midfielder added: “We’ve beaten them before, [so] why not do it again?”
The University of Derby Men’s First team is flooded with talent and this is partly due to their pairing with the player development programme known as ProChance Football.
Their aim is to help players who have fallen from full-time football by simulating the professional environment while facilitating their studies.
Marimbe shares a similar pathway to team-mate and defensive anchor Jack Pilling.
They were both at high level academies, Luton Town and Newcastle United respectively, before being released and aiming to relaunch their careers at ProChance.
“At the ages of about eight to 10 I was at the Newcastle Academy,” Pilling said.
“There were a lot of good players.
“I felt a bit lost in the system and struggled with confidence and believing in myself.”
Despite only being with ProChance since Christmas, having worked his way up from the men’s second and third teams, Pilling feels his confidence is back on the up.
The 22-year-old said: “As I’ve got older, I’ve got more confidence.
“Trying to improve and be better has grown my confidence and belief.
“The coach Liam [Sutcliffe] and all the other staff have been really good with me.”
The sentiment was largely that ProChance has helped all these players either to regain their footing in the professional game or build on it and express themselves.
This is reflected within the team, with both Pilling and Marimbe pointing out the team’s unique bond.
The midfielder, who won man of the match in their last fixture, said: “We have great team cohesion and a lively dressing room.
“I myself am probably one of the characters in there.”
Even with the title-deciding match looming the players seemed relaxed and determined to not let the occasion alter them or their preparation.
Some were taking this more serious than others as Nathaniel Wallace revealed.
“It might sound crazy but I do wear the same pair of boxers every game,” he said.
Derby Men’s 1s are two points off the top of the table so only a win will secure them the title in this their final league game. Otherwise leaders Oxford Brookes University will land the crown. So the race is completely in their hands making today a crucial game for all involved.
