Baldwin on last-day run-out
Grecians centre-half Pat Baldwin admitted that it came as a surprise to be named in the matchday squad and to subsequently get a run-out for the final 15 minutes of the season – but one which he was grateful for.The defender had been on the sidelines for eight months after sustaining a serious knee injury in the early weeks of the campaign, and had been consigned to rehab work in the gym ever since.
But Pat was introduced in place of Clinton Morrison in the latter stages of the game against Dagenham & Redbridge, and paid his thanks to physio Graham McAnuff for helping him through and manager Paul Tisdale for handing him some game-time.
“It was unexpected to be honest,” said Pat. “I wasn’t expecting to be on the bench.
“Obviously Tis has got to look at things for next season, but I’ll never forget that. I appreciated that and I enjoyed it.
“It has been a long road. Graham has been putting up with me in the gym and the physio room most days, so it was nice to be back.
“But to be honest, it has absolutely flown by. It was nowhere near as tough as when I’ve had injuries before – this time around wasn’t too bad. And on a personal level it was nice to get a run-out.”
The result, a 2-1 win, sent ever into the summer with a final victory under the belt.
And Pat felt that it was a good way to set the right tone for the off-season.
“It is great for the fans to go into the summer on a positive note,” continued Baldwin.
“We’ve just had a few defeats on the trot so to go away with a win is great news for everybody.”