What kind of pressure does being the captain of a promotion chasing side bring and is it easier than being a captain in a relegation fight?

Being captain of the side is a great honour and I enjoy being a leader out on the pitch. There is pressure on every game whether you are struggling at the bottom or challenging near the top, but it’s certainly a lot more enjoyable when you’re winning games! I’ve been involved in relegation scraps & challenging for promotion in my career, so hopefully I can use my experience to influence others both on and off the pitch.

With all the postponed games, how does the team cope with the rigours of three/four games a week and how do you cope as a player?

I’ve never known a season like it for games being called off and pitch inspections nearly every week! Whether you’re a supporter, player or management it’s been very frustrating this season. We have to deal with it though and if that means playing 3 or 4 games a week then so be it. It means preparing properly and recovering well to give your body the best chance of being ready to go for the next game. I’ve always said I prefer to play games rather than training and when the team is doing well, the next game cannot come quick enough.

As the season now enters the final leg, what is the mood like in the changing room and what do you tell the team to motivate them.

Going into the final stage of the season, the atmosphere in the dressing room is really positive and has been all year. There is great togetherness in the squad which goes a long way to being successful as a team. The key at this stage of the season is to take it one game at a time and not to become distracted by what other teams are doing. Challenging for promotion is all the motivation we need & we should thrive on the opportunity we have given ourselves.

You have also been the head coach of the academy side, how has that been for you?

It’s been a great experience for me to work with the Harrogate Town Academy lads and I’m really enjoying it. I love football and hopefully I can use some of my experience to pass on to the young players wanting to make a career out of the game. I am still learning the game at my age and every week throws up different challenges, but it’s been great to work with Lee Elam this year and bounce ideas off each other. It’s been our first season in the Conference Youth Alliance North Division and the players have worked extremely hard & are developing as individuals and a team all the time.

What would be the biggest thing that you have learnt with your coaching hat on this season?

The amount of planning and preparation that’s required for training and games!! As a player you turn up, play & then go home, everything is done for you. As a coach you are constantly planning sessions, picking squads, sending emails or on the phone! It’s difficult to switch off as a coach or manager and I’ve realised how easy I’ve had it for the last 15 years as a player! Also you think more about the game in a lot more detail e.g tactics and formations.

As a player do you practice what you preach or have you had moments on the pitch were you have thought – I hope no one was watching that!

Yes I would like to think that as a player, I do the basics of the game well, just like I would ask the young players to do when I’m on the side-lines. In terms of that I mean work ethic, good attitude, enthusiasm and playing to your strengths. We all make mistakes, but the most important thing is your reaction immediately after and then learning from it.

This interview was used in the official Matchday Programme against Stalybridge Celtic, 20th April 2013

Grimsby Town gave you your professional debut, but again things didn’t go to plan. What are your recollections of this period?

Grimsby was a very tough season. It was my first season in what you call men’s football. They had just been relegated to non-league as well which didn’t help, and I just never really settled there. It was a good life experience and helped me ‘man up’!

You then played for AFC Telford and Worcester City, what did you make of these teams?

The manager at Telford saw me very much as a right sided midfielder. I felt to fulfil my full potential I needed to be playing at right back. I wasn’t being given the chance to play there at Telford. Worcester have a great set of lads and two great guys in charge, but the club never really felt right for me.

We seem to have a quite a few fast players in the squad – who’s the quickest in the team?

You mean who’s the second quickest in the team? Chib most likely!

Spill the beans, who has the most annoying habits in the dressing room?

My card school buddy Jose. He will ask a question and always say ‘huh’ straight after asking it.

Tell us about your role in the side…

To run until my legs fall off (or so it seems anyway)

Where do you think you’re at your best – Right back or right midfield?

100% right back

You are still awaiting your first goal, do you think it is coming?

Actually I scored against Chester. Only it was in the wrong net!

This interview was used in the official Matchday Programme against Gloucester City, 9th April 2013

How has the season been for you so far?

Personally, I think the season has gone quite well for me so far. I feel I have had a fairly consistent season up to now, and I have been happy with most of my performances. As a squad, we had a good run in the FA Cup, which was an added bonus. It brought extra revenue into the club, and gave us some publicity as a team, which we all enjoyed. We were gutted to go out against Hastings, but that’s all in the past now. We have 9 games left and are looking to get into the Play-Offs, and so we are fully focused on that.

As a player who has been involved in a promotion season, what is it like in the dressing room during this final month?

The dressing room couldn’t be better. We have a great set of lads who genuinely believe we can achieve. We have a strong squad, we trust each other and our confidence is high at the moment, which we have built up over the course of the season. We are now looking to take this momentum into the final part of the season.

What kind of pressures does the players/squad face and how do you deal with it as a team?

I don’t think pressure is the right word to be honest. For me, pressure is associated with teams who are under-achieving and fighting to stay in a division. When you’re at the top end of the table, there is more of an expectation to succeed. As a squad, we don’t put any pressure on ourselves. We believe in our ability both as individuals and collectively, and because we have a very talented squad, we set our own high standards. We just take each game as it comes, and try to get maximum points as often as possible. As a team, we are enjoying being around the Play-Offs, relishing the opportunity, and can’t wait for the next game.

They say that a strong defence is the basis of strong attack, how much do you agree with this?

I do agree with this.. I think you need a strong, organised defence, as a base for the team, which I think we have, whoever plays at the back for us. However, you also need your flair players and match-winners further up the pitch, to create chances and score goals, of which we have plenty. It’s no good not conceding if you can’t score. Thankfully, I think we have a good balance throughout the team, no matter who is selected.

As a player who has witnessed refereeing at different league levels, how do you think the refereeing has been this season?

Refereeing is difficult at all levels, because no matter what decision you give, 99% of the time, the other team doesn’t agree with you, and so it is a thankless task! I wouldn’t fancy doing it!! In general, the referees have done well, although we have had a few who have given some questionable decisions! As a player, there is nothing you can do if something goes against you. You can have a moan, but they aren’t going to change their mind, and so you just have to get on with it and keep focused.

With all the fuss being made of tackling now, do you think that the art of defending is changing, and is it for the better or worse?

Tackling will always be a grey area, and so it is down to the interpretation of the officials as to what they see as dangerous. Defenders have their own technique of defending and ways of tackling, depending on the situation they find themselves in. No player goes out to hurt another player deliberately, but there are going to be mis-timed challenges, due to the tempo and high intensity of the game nowadays. I’d say defending is changing for the better for spectators, and for the game, although the defenders themselves might have something to say about it! As a defender, I try to not dive in and stay on my feet as much as possible.

Edited version of this interview used in the official Matchday Programme against Solihull Moors, 6th April 2012

You have played at two of the biggest clubs in the county, what was it like being at both Leeds United and Chelsea?

It’s been incredible. In my early years at Leeds they we’re a massive force, playing champions league football week in week out, so it’s always been good seeing how the best players in the world go about their business, both on and off the field.

What wee your memories/feelings when you made your Chelsea debut?

Probably my best day in football so far for sure, it was all a bit surreal. All my family and friends came down as the gaffer had told me I’d be playing some part. So it was amazing to have everyone from home there in the stand.  I was only 16 and didn’t quite realise what I was doing at the time!

You suffered some serious injuries whilst at Chelsea, what was it like for you at that time and what advice would you give to youngsters who are going through the same?

It was difficult, I’d gone from playing over 100 in two years, to not playing for almost three years. There were times I thought I’d never come back so it definitely makes you appreciate it even more when you’re playing.  You’ve got to try and stay positive, work as hard as you can when you’re ready to go, you’re strong and not too far being physically ready.

Having played under “The Special One” what was he like as a manager?

He was awesome. He has two characters; the one that everyone see’s playing up to the media, and the one on the training ground and in the dressing room. Out of all the managers that were there, he had the most respect from the players, a father figure type that players would be desperate to win for.

You then went to Doncaster, what was Dean Saunders like as a manager?

Doncaster was great as well, once my injuries had cleared. Dean Saunders took me in and I needed a few weeks training.  They offered me a short term deal which was great having been out for so long. Once it was clear he had got the Wolves job and was leaving, instead of waiting around in the uncertainty I wanted to get out and try and play somewhere. I just want to play as many games as possible & hopefully we can achieve something here this year!!!

This interview was used in the official Matchday Programme against Gainsborough Trinity, 1st April 2013

What would you say has been your best/most memorable save so far?

Making saves is what I do, I guess the best thing is when I come off the pitch and the team say “how did you save that?” I would say that the best ones so far have been the one that I made against Workington at home before we scored our third goal and more recently the one against FC Halifax Town  when I tipped the ball onto the bar. That save got the biggest reaction from my  teammates so far.

It has been reported in the press that you are the focus of a few scouts, how are you dealing with all the reports?

Reports of the attention are very nice but I am concentrating on working as hard as always to push Harrogate Town forward, I like to leave the talking to everyone else.

You have has a very settled back four in front of you all season, how does that help you as a goalkeeper

The back four have been incredible all season and as a goalkeeper knowing you have good defenders helps a lot as you know they do their best to defend you.

But as a goalkeeper you need to realise that there is only so much they can do and that means being ready when called upon.

Is Whitey as scary off the pitch as he is on it?

Ha, Whitey is not scary, he is very passionate and wants the best for himself and the team. For me personally having Whitey in the team has helped me to progress as a goalkeeper as I’m young and learning my trade still, he has his view on what he wants from goalkeepers and I learn off him and the others.

Do you have any specific training methods or rituals you perform to improve your play?

In training I like to train as I want to play so on match days so you are ready to perform. On a match day I like to put my right boot on first then left and right glove on first then left.

You have done quite a bit of community work for us, what have you thought to this part of the job?

I think working with the community as a football club is really important as it shows the public that you care and want to support them where possible, I enjoy visiting the primary schools and getting involved with the activities there.

Interview used in the official Matchday Programme against FC Halifax Town, 23rd March 2013

You had a very successful time at Harrogate Railway earlier on this season; tell us about your time at Station View?

Going to Railway was the right thing to do at that time. Through the team performing well and the formation we were playing, I wasn’t getting any time to express myself. Subsequently my fitness, confidence and sharpness was badly affected! Going to railway when I did really sorted all these problems out, and I came back at exactly the right time, as the Boston game illustrated! I really enjoyed it at railway and I would recommend any player in the same position to do the same, just like Dan Clayton has done. Railway helped me, I helped Railway and the bond between the two Harrogate teams was strengthened, everyone was a winner.

With the arrival of Tom Platt, Michael Woods and Dominic Knowles into the squad and with Town playing attacking football, how does this fit in your style of play.

As an attacking player myself it is great, each player has different strengths to add to our style, as do I. My speed, strength and directness can be a really threat. The gaffer gives us the licence to play attacking, attractive football it’s a pleasure to be a part of that!

You have taken part in a season when we were fighting relegation, how different is it to be playing in a side going for the play-offs.

The gaffer told us last year go out and play, which is very much the same message this year. Playing with that message is amazing, and as an attacking player that still try’s to play with no pressure, and no worries, it gives you confidence to express yourself.

When we last spoke we touched on your time in the States playing football. Do you still keep in contact with your old team mates, how is your team doing and how do you see the game developing in the States

I keep in contact with a lot of the people I met in America, some of them are still playing for Jersey, but some have gone on to bigger and better things. I played with a goalkeeper who is now number one at New York red bulls. So while he rubs shoulders with Henry, Keane and Cahill, legends of the game, I rub shoulders with Knowles, Platt and McGillivray – future legends of the game!

Having witnessed the squad change over the summer, what do you think is the main difference between this one and the last?

Other than the obvious step up in quality and morale of the team, the main difference this year is the mentality. We go into every game knowing we can win. We are a team of winners, and winners are only happy when they are doing one thing… winning!!!

This interview was used in the official Matchday Programme against Chester FC, 9th March 2013

You seem to link up well with the other attackers in the squad, in what way do you complement each other?

That’s actually one of my targets. To form good partnerships with whoever is alongside me. I’ve always loved the idea of having ‘a partner in crime’ and all the strikers or attacking players that have partnered me have always demanded of me to slightly adjust my role so that we can form that understanding during the 90 minutes and beyond. We all have something to bring. I think Jonny and Bees are more of your old school strikers-big, strong, no-nonsense but when it’s time to finish or link up play those talents are clear too. Dom and Fozzy are technical and clever but can also be gritty if it’s needed. I watch all of them and do my best 2add my qualities so that our talents come together on the pitch and so far it has worked nicely with plenty more to come. No matter which 1 of us is playing, we are all rooting for each other and understand that there will be injuries and hard times but whoever is on the pitch is there for the good of the squad and hopefully we will all get our chances to play together and do our jobs.

You have done a lot of community work for us this season and people seem to take notice of what you are doing and saying, how important is that for you and is it something you enjoy doing?

The community work is very important to me and I thoroughly enjoy it. As footballers we have certain responsibilities to youngsters because they look up to us in some way so I’ve never shied away from that responsibility. The club is also very keen to reach out to the community and get them interested and involved in the progress we are making collectively so it’s important for me to help the club on the pitch as well as off it. Most importantly though, the community work is not solely for myself or the club, it’s mainly for those who we reach out to and doing something to assist them in their daily lives any way that we can.

One particular highlight seemed to be the serious topic of resilience that you spoke to students about, you seemed to be very focused in that conversation, what was that like for you?

The resilience topic was a great moment for me to be able to share my story with the youngsters and just encourage them to ‘keep going’ no matter what they face. I have to admit that it was quite powerful for me also because it gave me an opportunity to take stock of my experiences and use it as a bit of momentum for whatever the season was going to throw at me. So I’m very grateful to Rosset School for asking me to come down and as much as it was for the youngsters, I took a lot from the visit and hope I get the opportunity to participate with schools in the future.

The phrase “play-off contenders” is being used more frequently with Harrogate Town now, how do you (and the rest of the squad) keep focused on the job at hand and ignore the hype?

I think that name is well deserved in my opinion. When I look around the squad and some of the performances we’ve had throughout the season, we have to give ourselves enough respect to realise that we can challenge for the play-offs. But it’s not taken for granted because the teams around us are also gunning for those positions and they will not let us off the hook if we don’t perform. It’s about being realistic about what we want to achieve and knowing that it will not just happen, we have to do our best to get something out of each game and even when it doesn’t go to plan, we bounce back quickly and make up for it in the next game. We know it’s going to be tough with the backlog of games facing us now but I guarantee you that no-one in that squad is worried about that. If anything, it has raised spirits with the opportunity to do what we love so frequently knowing that if we do it right, there’s a play-off spot available for us.

The team were pretty down after the Hastings replay, did playing Hinckley straight after help the team recover and how important were those two goals for you?

The Hastings replay certainly did knock the wind out of us after such a great run and high expectations. But we hold our heads highly because we gave it everything on the night and it just wasn’t meant to be. That’s football. After such heartbreak we talked about how new achievements and targets would heal the loss and give us something else to strive for so Hinckley were the unlucky candidates to face our determination afterwards. It was a great team performance and it showed that everyone was focused on moving past the cup run to climb up that league table. It was important for me to score that day also and really set my sights on being a constant goal threat for the rest of the campaign .I think it helped me and the lads to set the tempo in games against Boston and Corby to follow despite the breaks in between the matches.

Interview used in the official Matchday Programmes against Histon FC and Colwyn Bay, 2nd March 2013 & 5th March 2013