3/1 To Win
In recent weeks, we have profiled how a number of Derby County’s young players are faring in the EFL, thriving off the challenge of playing regular senior football and being part of promotion and relegation battles.
Henrich Ravas’ situation is pretty similar – albeit it in non-league, with his opportunity arising off the back of his performances for Boston United prior to moving to Derby.
Ahead of the August 2017 Bank Holiday, the 20-year-old Slovakian goalkeeper completed a switch to Vanarama National League North side Gainsborough Trinity alongside fellow Under-23 team-mate Matty Taylor.
It’s the shot-stopper’s first taste of senior football since he completed his switch to Pride Park Stadium in 2016. He’s flourished at Northolme, but he’s explained to dcfc.co.uk how he is benefitting from the part-time arrangement he has with the club.
“I basically just train with Derby all week and play games there,” he said. “For me, that’s perfect. I get the great coaching here and the use of some fantastic facilities, but I’m getting that first team experience too.
“Gainsborough send clips of my game back here for us to analyse. I don’t really have a goalkeeper coach that I work with at Gainsborough, so this way I have a fresh pair of eyes to see what I’m doing and an outside view of how I can improve.
“On top of that, I’ve played a lot of games – I think I’m up to 31 at this point – and there is still a lot of football still to go.
“I’d say I have been quite busy in most of those games too and that itself is massively beneficial. I’ve had time to work on my distribution in a pressurised environment whilst I have also had to cope with the physical aspect that comes with that level of football. I feel my game has improved all over.”
He’s made a big impression during his time with the club too.
That became clear in October when the Chairman, Richard Kane, sanctioned the production of a Slovakian flag with the Gainsborough logo placed on it.
Then there was the t-shirts containing the wording ‘All I want for Christmas is Henrich Ravas to stay until the end of the season’ which followed as winter crept in.
“Evidently it worked,” Ravas said with a smile. “That itself is great, even a little surreal for me, but it’s a great club to be at.”
Sure, he has left a lasting impression on the Chairman of the football club, but what about the fans?
“We have the same fans every single week, the ones that travel home and away,” Ravas explained.
“We don’t get the same attendances that say a Derby would, but the players here know who each fan is, what their names are, what they do, and I think they appreciate that.
“They come to enjoy a game of football and I make a big effort to speak with them after every game. I think they appreciate the fact that they are so connected with the players.”
Taking the personal highlights out of it for a moment, the discussion towards the other highs that he has experienced on the pitch during his time with Trinity.
The league campaign has been tough, but they are still within a firm shout of defying expectations and staving off relegation.
In the Cups, however, there was considerable success.
“Reaching the first round of the FA Cup was huge for the club,” Ravas said.
“Gainsborough were favourites to get relegated this season – hopefully that won’t be the case – but to get to that stage of the FA Cup and the same in the FA Trophy was excellent.
“It helped the club financially and I saw first-hand what that meant to everyone connected. That’s the biggest positive I’m taking away.”
The bread and butter is the league, however. With 11 games remaining of the season Gainsborough are second bottom – three points from safety – and now Ravas’ hope is that he can pull the curtain down on a memorable year by beating the drop.
“That’s a great challenge in itself,” he explained. “We have a few teams to play around us at home to come and they are going to be important.
“The club has grown on me a lot over this short time. I really like it there, the people there like me too, and I hope we can stop up this season.”
Whatever happens at the end of this loan spell, Ravas will be taking something long-lasting from it.
“Even after this season is all done, I think I will go back on my spare days for a game and a catch up. They have done so much for me.”
