Rebuilding RCA: Leadership, Mentality, and the Rise of a New Era

When Mark Forrest received the phone call offering him the role of manager at Sunderland RCA, he was in his office. 

The managing director of an international supplier of onshore and offshore specialised technicians in wind turbine services, he had no experience managing a football club. And with just 57 days to the start of the 2024/25 season he was tasked with re-building the squad from scratch and keeping RCA afloat after a turbulent couple of years.

But Mark, the fifth new face in the dugout in 12 months, was to herald a new era for Sunderland RCA. His strong leadership, positive mentality and focus on youth development has laid the foundation for long-term success.

RCA had just been relegated to Division Two after a season consisting of just one win and five points. During the same year, Mark had been chairman at fellow Division One side West Auckland who made the play-off final. And despite many questioning why he would leave a seemingly thriving club for one which appeared in freefall, he told us his passion had always been in management. “I have always preferred management, dealing with players and hopefully helping them improve is my main goal in football.”

The gaffer’s resolve to face up to arguably the toughest job in the Northern League sets the tone of his approach and demonstrates just why he may have been the perfect man for the club at its lowest moment.

Alongside him came Adam Emson, former top goal scorer in the Northern League, as assistant manager and Paul Wilkinson who combined his role as reserves manager with a responsibility as first team coach.

A major driving force behind RCA’s resurgence is the synergy within the management team. Mark, Adam and Paul all bring strengths in different areas. Emson, whose Dad, Paul Emson, played in the top tier of English football, has lent on his experience as a player this season. “You have to have a style that’s true to yourself but also reflect on what leadership styles got the best out of you as a player,” he said “Mark has shown a lot of faith in me and encourages the coaching staff to assume high levels of responsibility which also makes the job more rewarding.”

Paul Wilkinson testified, “The balance within the management team is one of our biggest strengths. Our different approaches complement each other, and that reflects down to the players.”

The season started with a win for RCA, 1-0 over Boldon. Callum Hughes bagged the only goal of the afternoon, but this result was followed by a run of three defeats in a row further highlighting how big the job at hand was and still is for those overseeing the club’s progress.

However, despite the league table not looking great for the Ryhope based outfit, the underlying stats are a lot more positive for Mark and his men. RCA’s PPG since just before Christmas would have the club comfortable, just below mid-table and massively over-performing their budget.

RCA’s ongoing recruitment efforts since last summer have played a key role. The squad that started the first league game against Boldon for example, just two of those names were present in RCA’s last outing with only one retaining a spot in the starting XI.

Whilst this is Mark’s first experience of managing a football club, his brother Gary is one of the best-known names in Northern League management. Decades deep in the dugout, Gary has led sides such as West Auckland, Shildon and Northallerton Town to success. However, Mark has been forced to find an edge a different way having not been blessed with the same level of resources as Gary over the years.

That edge is mentality. The biggest constant this season has been the management team’s emphasis on a strong mentality and for a young squad that has taken some adapting to – hence maybe the better results and performances as the season has progressed.

Often now bringing a chuckle in the dressing room, Mark embraces telling his players to stay “blue” during matches, avoiding “going into the red”. This analogy encourages players to remain calm, composed and focussed on the task in front of them, regardless of any external factors which may prove a hurdle. Mark said: “A lot of football comes down to mentality. By supporting and guiding them, I hope they start making better decisions, which translates to improved performances.”

Adam added: “It’s just that consistent reminder that we believe in them and their ability. Nobody enjoys doing something they don’t feel supported in. So it’s about trying as much as possible to remind them that at the end of the day we are all here as we love the game and as long as we all work together and give it our all, we will be good enough.”

RCA boast talents such as Preston Leech and Harvey Rudd, two youngsters who this season have featured in first team squads for Gateshead and Darlington respectively.

That commitment to youth is a big part of Mark’s plan for the future and reserves boss Paul plays a key role in that. “Working with the reserves and taking a lead with a young side that required a huge rebuild was tremendous hard work but the achievement and ambition is one that continues to excite me,” Paul said, “being well connected with both sets of squads allows a better pathway to be created thus giving young players more of an opportunity to experience a first-team environment that wouldn’t be possible at other clubs.”

Mark echoes this sentiment; he stated that a successful club must have youth players aspiring to play for the first team and senior players who represent the club at a high level. “This has always been a complete rebuild,” he says. “It will take two to three years to put RCA where it should be.”

Several reserves prospects have featured in the first team squad on a couple of occasions this season, and the future looks bright for RCA who have a thriving and ever-growing youth section.

There have certainly been highs for RCA this season, but there is no time to rest on the work that has been done so far.

RCA’s recent 3-1 win over play-off hopefuls Thornaby was a stand-out for the manager and he sees that as a true example of the progress the club are making. “The win against Thornaby at home is up there this season, I think anyone who watched the game would see we more than deserved the win and if anything, the score line could have been 2/3 goals better. There have been many performances which deserved more points than the current table shows however that is all part of a young teams’ development.”

With a solid foundation now in place, Sunderland RCA is no longer just fighting to survive—they are building for a brighter future. Under Mark Forrest’s leadership, the club is rediscovering its identity, combining strong management, a resilient mentality, and a commitment to youth development.

Secretary Rob also believes the future of RCA appears bright. “Personally, I think off the pitch the future is looking brighter than it has done for a number of years. I firmly believe that the foundations are being built for a stronger better future for the club.”

The progress made this season is only the beginning. While results haven’t always reflected the effort on the pitch, the steady improvement in performances, recruitment, and squad cohesion suggests that RCA is on an upward trajectory. Key wins, like the 3-1 victory over Thornaby and 3-0 win over Redcar Town, serve as proof that this team can compete at a higher level.

Looking ahead, the goal is clear: stability, consistency, and a return to the top division. “We’ve made great strides this year,” Forrest said, “but this is just the beginning.” With a united management team, a growing pool of young talent, and a squad hungry for success, RCA aren’t just hoping for a resurgence—they are determined to make it happen. The club’s toughest days are behind them. Now, the climb back begins.