Can you shed any light on your footy career outside of Loughborough?
Woking was a great experience for me and one of the other lads from last years winning team (Peter Barkley) because it opened so many doors. It enabled me to play in a very strong youth team and gain a place in the Surrey County team. In my time at Woking I was given many opportunities in the reserve side to which I am very grateful.
I have great memories of games playing for Woking youth team but they are slightly jaded by the fact that I missed out on so many of the last games because of the U18’s England School Boys commitment. However without the experience in the youth team I would never have been able to achieve the unthinkable at 18 years old and play at Wembley in the very last schoolboy’s game before its demolition (well I kept the bench warm anyway).
Crystal Palace was a direct result of the International programme. I was still at Full Time College at the time but my PE Teacher was very passionate about her students and their future and pushed for a trial in late July before the 2001/2002 season begun. It was an instant success and I was signed on 3rd year YTS forms and eventually a 1-year pro. The two years at the club was unforgettable, it was filled with great memories of playing against some of the current Premiership stars. One of my first games for the Palace youth team was away to West Ham who had a fantastic youth team with Joe Cole, Jermaine Defoe and Michael Carrick at the time. As expected I was picking the ball out the net a few times, I think I remember Defoe getting two that day. The pro contract that I signed with Palace was a standard 1st year pro contract, nothing special about it apart from the fact that I was able to enjoy some of the perks of being a pro at the club such as no more boot cleaning for anyone, regular training with the first team and the free first team match tickets. People have always asked if I would have gone on and progressed at Palace if I hadn’t broken my leg badly at the club. But I have always said that I had enough time to get fit and impress after my rehabilitation – the fact is that I wasn’t good enough to remain at the club! (a full extensive pdf file download and powerpoint will be available soon)
You played a massive part in winning BUSA for Loughborough last year. What can you tell me about last years' success?
Winning BUSA last year was a fantastic experience for the lads and me. The feeling of winning that competition after such a long season is one of my proudest moments. I don’t think it’s fair to say that I played a massive part in winning the trophy. I just did my job on the day and was lucky that I went the right way on the last two penalties. It was about time I did something anyway, my defence that season was among one of the best I’ve ever played with and they always got me out of trouble. Mally always said we could win the Trophy and when we did, I don’t think there was anyone happier than the gaffer himself. He seems to be able to motivate the players at the right time and with his experience as a player and coach we will go close again this year.
What is the highest achievement in your career so far?
Without any doubt the feeling of being presented with one of my England School Boys caps at Wembley Stadium by Peter Shilton in the Royal Box. Although I had sat on the bench, the game against Hungary was intense and the 36,000 that supported us were fantastic. We lost that game 1-0 but to have my family and girlfriend in the stands at Wembley and see me get my Cap was incredible.
And which is your most memorable game for Loughborough?
The game against Northumbria always stands out for me. I was only involved late in the game as usual because the back four were such a well-organised unit. I just remember the great finish from Leon and then having to make two or three stops in the last ten minutes. One of them really took the wind out of me but Kev the physio soon sorted me out.
Who was your best friend in LSAFC?
My best buddy? Erm… obviously my housemates Lee and Pelle had been there for me whenever I needed them for advice and a chat and the ever-lively Barks has been a friend for a long time now. But even though the lads from last year and the new lads are fantastic I would say that Nick Drew is my best buddy!
You and Jack are regarded as the best goalkeepers at Loughborough, and you obviously spend a lot of time training together. What can you tell us about our chairman?
Ha! Jack and me will be first to tell you that we are not the best keepers at Loughborough but we are amongst them. I think that this year is probably the most competitive and that the standard of goalkeepers at the University is the best it has ever been.
Jack is a great guy, one of the genuine people you will meet in life who tells you what you’re doing wrong, what you’re doing right and what he thinks at the time. He’s doing a great job as chairman of the club and I hope that he gets all the success that we got last year. I’d say that he is a very generous person and always quick to help you out if you’re struggling. However I still haven’t got to the bottom of why he always wears a hat wherever he goes? He eats in it, trains in it, goes out in it and I have heard a rumour that he sleeps in it… He’s a top guy and a great keeper who I learn from all the time!
Which team do you support?
I am at heart a Woking FC fan but I do like to see Liverpool do well…
Who is your childhood hero and why?
Peter Schmeichel is the best goalkeeper in the world ever and he is my childhood hero. I was in the San Siro in Milan for Ronaldo’s debut move from Barcelona. Man United were invited for the friendly and within the first 2 minutes Schmeichel smashed him and he was carried off injured (I loved it)…
How do you think England will fair in the world cup this summer? Who is your tip to win it?
This year will be a great year for England, I think that we will win the group comfortably and go on to the semi finals maybe to the final. I’m green with envy as my brother is all set to go Germany so I hope he has a great trip and England win it. I do however think that Brazil will be the ones to beat, who ever beats them will win the World Cup!
Lastly, how has this season gone for you so far? what does the future hold for LSAFC, can we win it?
I haven’t had the kind of season I had last year. I’m not playing enough games as yet to get back on the kind of form I was in last season. I am enjoying the season so far and the win away to Edge Hill should give the squad the confidence to go on and win the group. Loughborough will always be amongst the top four in the country and this year is no exception. The ability we have in the top squads is frightening and winning the Trophy in any of the teams would not be surprising.
A huge thanks to 'Windy' for this article.