Tunde Owolabi- Player Of Month Interview

Tunde Owolabi has been in remarkable form in the past month it has resulted in him being awarded the December Player of the Month.

In the six games in December Owolabi netted seven times, helping his side challenge for top spot and push on in cup competitions.

The Boro won four of the six games they played in December largely down to the Tunde's cool finishing.

The Forward was very pleased to have received the recognition for his hard work but he knows that his team are there every step of the way.

“I have never won Player of the Month before at any of my previous clubs, so this is a new experience for me. I am just trying to enjoy the feeling and enjoy the moment. I have worked hard to try and get into the team and help the team win games.

“I have been in really good form of late and it was definitely a nice way to cap the year off with such recognition. I have to give credit to my team mates because they really are great. I would have not won it without them.”

Owolabi was one of a whole host of new signings in the summer and he can’t get enough of that winning feeling.

Many of the new signings have brought a lot of experience from the non-league game and higher and Owolabi is learning a lot especially what it takes to win on a regular basis.

“We have winners in this team and that is the kind of mind set that has enabled us to be so successful this season. We hate to lose and when we do, it’s a feeling that we hate with disgust and passion.” He said, “As a player, you want to be part of such a team, of such a winning mentality.”

“The more addictive you are to winning, the better. I love to win, who wouldn’t. Even before you kick off, you already have the hunger, the desire that you will accept nothing more than a victory.”

Both Jon Macken and Frank Sinclair have both been part of winning Premier League sides so they know what it takes to win at the very highest level.

The striker puts the mentality of the team down the experience members of the squad and the management team.

“Credit must go to the management team though. They have assembled a really good team capable of challenging and I am just happy and proud to be part of it. We all are.”

The 17-goal man has put his recent form down to his team mates and his confidence in himself.
Owolabi have spent some time on the bench this season but the Striker knows the importance of taking your chances on the pitch. Which is one thing he has been doing of late.

“It’s just pure confidence if I am honest. As a striker, you want to score and goals give you the boost to continue to do just that. It’s not been easy though this season. There were times I was on the bench and found it hard to push and break into the team. But I had team mates who believed in me and encouraged me to keep pushing and keeper driving and take no for an answer.

“I looked back to the over-head kick I scored against Bury in pre-season which up till now, still brings a smile to my face. It showed me that I am capable of such goals and so I took it upon myself to work even harder in training and put the ball in the back of the net at every opportunity I get.”


Announcing His Arrival: Tunde's Over-headkick in pre-season v Bury

The Striker looked back at the Kidsgrove game as a stepping stone for better things and hasn’t looked back since. He said “I got the opportunity from the bench away at Kidsgrove. I came on and scored and I never looked back to be honest.

“I must thank God though because God has helped me to continue to believe in myself, keeper fighting and pushing myself. As a player, when things don’t go as you planned, you need to keep pushing and never give up. I have to thank the gaffer for giving me the opportunity and believing in me too.”


Start of a run: Owoloabi comes off the bench to get winner at Kidsgrove in November

Owolabi is hoping that his recent form can continue into the latter stages of the season. The Boro still have to face many of their rivals before the climax in May.

Jon Macken’s side still have to face Prescot Cables, Leek Town and Runcorn Linnets before the end of the season but the forward believes they have what it takes on this recent run of form.

“I have been in good form of late and long may it continue. I want to continue to score goals and create for the team and help the team win as many games as possible.

“We want to win the league and we know there are big games coming up which will be hard and test our title credentials but we have good quality in the team and we are up for the challenge. If we continue to work hard and play the way we have been doing that has brought us so much success, I think we can all expect an exciting end to the season.”

Many players since joining in the summer have spoken of the family at Radcliffe FC and Owolabi has reiterated that sentiment and he also hopes that this is the start of something special at the club as they start to aim for big things.

“I feel at home at Radcliffe since pre-season. I have been able to win the fans over which has been incredible. They love me and I love them too. Radcliffe is a family and I am super happy to be a part of it.

“We are building something special here. Everyone inside and outside can see it. The performances are showing that the club is definitely going in the right direction.”

Team Spirit: Tunde is happy to be a part of it all.

The former Prescot Cables man also expressed how the performance levels on the pitch are hugely because of the spirit of the team off the pitch.

“There is a real togetherness amongst the players. That has definitely contributing to our performance levels. When we win, we stick together and when we lose, we stick together. The vibe is a positive one and every player wants to be a part of it.

“Right now, I am a Radcliffe player, my focus is with Radcliffe and things here are amazing and I am happy I am here.”

Owolabi has made his own personal challenge to become top scorer at the end of the season.

As the season has progressed both Owolabi and Radcliffe have gone from strength to strength. The Boro currently sit top of the Evo-Stik West and Owolabi currently sits second in the scoring charts. Both will be hunting to stay top and claim top spot come May.

“My objective is simple to continue to score as many goals as possible and see where that will take me in the chase for the golden boot. It won’t be easy but it’s a challenge and I love challenges so we will have to wait and see.

“For the team, our objective has not changed. We want to win this league and we feel this season is a great opportunity for us. We are in a really strong position right now. We hope to go on another amazing winning run from now till the end of the season and that will really put us in even stronger command. But we are not thinking ahead of ourselves and neither am I. We are all taking it game by game, match by match.”

Owolabi and The Boro have some tough tests ahead of them from now until May but the focus seems to remain the same. The challenges continue on Saturday and Jon Macken and his man travel to fellow League Hopefuls Leek Town in search of another three points.