Following his joining us here at Salford, back in August last year, it quickly became apparent, that in back row forward, Tyrone McCarthy, the Red Devils had acquired not only a highly skilled and experienced senior player, but also a natural, and much respected, leader, whom Head Coach, Ian Watson, had brought in to fulfil a role within the leadership group he was establishing within his first team squad.
Indeed, Tyrone’s promotion to Vice-Captain, under the joint captaincy of Mark Flanagan and Lee Mossop, was soon set underway, as he explains.
“I’d already spoken to Ian about some of my qualities before coming to the club, and leadership was one of the reasons he wanted to bring me in, because of the previous environments I had been in.
“I don’t know whether I was shocked or not, when the position was handed to me, but it certainly was a great honour and privilege to be asked to fulfil that role. It is something I am really proud of, as it is such an important position.
“Obviously, the two captains are absolutely pivotal as the leaders, but I am keen to assist and contribute in my own way, happily without all the responsibility on me that they have.”
Despite his previous experience, which includes the captaincy of Hull KR during his time over on Humberside, the notion of a leadership group is new to him, but he is full of praise for the way that this is working.
“It is a recognition of the contribution that the people concerned have made. In Weller Hauraki, as Club Captain, he sets a fine example of what others should aspire to, whilst the other two have been in really good environments where they have been very successful.
“They certainly speak extremely well in and around the team. That is something I hope that I can build towards.”
Unlike the joint captains, who in effect share the same role, Tyrone, as Vice-Captain, is one on his own, so he can, in some respects, make of it what he wants.
“Everyone has their own little aspects that they see to. As Vice-Captain, I probably have the fewest of these, I’m happy to say, but one of the reasons we were each chosen for the group was for the fact that we can all work well together.
“Other than in game day duties, the four of us get together and we each have our say on particular issues which have come up, whether it is from within the game, issues around training, or anything else.
“There is a saying that too many cooks spoil the broth, but that is not the case here. We benefit from getting a variety of opinions.”
The group also have a preventative role in resolving issues in their early stages, before they become a full-blown problem.
“On the odd occasion that something or other starts to develop, we can take it on board and sort it out without it having to be addressed or sanctioned by the club. It also takes some of the pressure away from the coaches.”
Not that involvement and communication is confined solely to within the group, as they are more than willing to encourage this from all the players, and it is developing well.
“Some of the other players are putting forward their own suggestions. Logan Tomkins, for example, is one of our younger players but he has made some really good contributions of his own.”
Tyke was with Hull KR for only one season, but that short period saw him rise from Vice-Captain to Captain, by the end of his time there.
“I started off as vice-captain to Terry Campese, but he was side-lined by an injury, so I took over the captaincy in his absence.”
This certainly is an experience which will stand him in good stead, as obviously there are times over the season when, for one reason or another, he is the only one of the four of them who is on the field.
“As a result of that, I took on a number of game day responsibilities such as speaking to referees. In the end it is all about doing what is best and right for the team. I do like the responsibility and believe it brings out the best in me.”
