Ruislip won’t lose intimidation factor with £5m refurbishment, says Gottsche

London’s Mark Gottsche is confident Ruislip can hold onto its reputation as a ground to avoid come the summer when the dilapidated facility undergoes a £5m (€5,962,000) refurbishment.

The Exiles have proven tricky customers on home turf in the past three years, with Mayo requiring extra-time to squeak past them in 2011, Leitrim escaping with just a point to spare and Sligo bettered by the bare minimum last year.

However, the surrounds are set to change drastically, with a new 3,900-capacity stadium complete with covered stand, terracing, redeveloped playing surface and much more, all of which is being planned for completion by May of next year.

“Anyone who has ever been over to a Connacht championship game knows it’s a carnival atmosphere,” said the former Galway panellist. “There’s a marquee up and people there from 12 o’clock onwards.

“We’re not going to lose that because it is a massive day out for the Gaels in London and in Britain, so you’re still going to have the fairly intimidating atmosphere of Ruislip.

“Okay, the grass bank is going to be gone and replaced with a stand but there’s still going to be plenty of people milling around and it will still be the same place atmosphere-wise.”

Gottsche has more reason that most to welcome the development given he isn’t just a player but works full-time as a county development officer and has now taken on board the roles of secretary and treasurer to boot.

Previous roles as secretary to the coaching and games committee and as games and logistics manager primed him for the latest workload which does, he admit, take some diplomacy when it comes to dealing with senior manager Paul Coggins.

“As far as being a player and secretary, you just have to draw the line somewhere and not be mixing up conversations about football and work. We sat down at the start of the year and we discussed it.

“We have an understanding about seeing how it will go for a year. If I have a problem it might make things more difficult but it is going well.”