The sight of Vince Brockie arguing with the referee from the dugout at Dennyfield last Saturday was proof positive that the former Leeds United and Doncaster Rovers midfielder has lost none of the fire in his belly.

The Thackley chief found himself having strong words with the official during his side’s 3-3 draw at home to Arnold Town.

The verbal exchange – Brockie with his Scottish lilt and the referee in his broad Lancashire accent – came about after the manager felt he needed to stick up for his players.

He said: “I felt my boys were getting bullied on the pitch and that the other side were shouting loudest and getting all of the decisions.

“I don’t like the word cheat in football and I would never tell my players to cheat.

“What the Arnold boys were doing wasn’t cheating but they were in the referee’s ear all the time, the bench as well as the players, and that is pushing the boundaries.

“That’s why I stood up and said my piece and once you’ve had your say you can get on with it because you know you have done as much as you can.”

The official saw no need to remove the Thackley boss from the dugout but just appealed for calm and both men got on with it after a mutual tap on the shoulder.

Brockie might be ‘old school’ but his passion for the game is as fresh as ever.

He is also as convivial and congenial after the final whistle as he was in his playing days, leaving his anger on the battlefield, which is how it should be.

His desire to win, however, remains undiminished and he has settled in well at Dennyfield, with Thackley currently just two points off top spot.