Interview with a legend - part one

1) What is your most memorable game for BFC & why?

Veterans game May 96 as I was playing for the over 35's at 43 yr of age, and assisted in both goals and won Man of the Match. Also the game in Sept 71 when I came into the game at Fulham and we won 2-0 and I scored both goals (they were my first professional goals as I had made my debut in 70).
 
2) Was there a team or player you liked playing against?

Arsenal as I had a good record against them and never lost at Highbury!
 
3) What was your initial feeling as you walked on to the Turf for your debut?

Lots of feelings - Pride, Excitement, Determination to succeed and prove the gaffer right for giving me my debut, Hope that I would have a good game to be in with a chance of getting picked next game
 
4) Which player did you use to dread playing against?

I never "dreaded" anyone but Tony Book at Man City was always a tough opponent and I felt it after playing against him!
 
5) Greatest goal seen in any game you played for Burnley = no answer as he couldn't think of one specific!
 
6) Who was the funniest joker in the team at Burnley and what joke stands out the most?

Paul Fletcher was always a joker and it's always stuck in my mind how he used to dress up as Jimmy Holland the physio and he would have us all in stitches as he mimicked him totally, he got his impressions spot on including mannerisms etc.
 
7) What do you think about the financial side of football nowadays compared to when you were playing? Has it spoilt the game for fans? Players?

"OBSCENE" - Yes it's spoilt the game for fans as it is now more difficult to sustain support due to the ever rising costs involved. Few families can afford one or two home games per week, plus replica kits etc. It's also spoilt the game as "ordinary" players are demanding, and receiving, obscene wages per week which is wrong. As a result the fans are becoming more selective about their choice of games which spoils it for the players as they will not always be able to feel the crowd support.
"I am a big fan of wage-capping and think football needs it - how that will work I don't know, but I think something needs to be done about the huge sums of money involved in football nowadays"
 
8) What does being a "Legend" in Claret folklore mean to you?

"Heck of a lot" - being selected by the fans as one of the best players to have played for their club is the ultimate accolade
 
9) Did you feel that the board of directors in your times at Burnley had ambition for the club?

Yes, to remain in the top flight
 
10) What did you and your room-mate get up to?

NO COMMENT!!! Not fit for publication!!
 
11) Was there a team other than Burnley that you used to dream about playing for as a youngster?

Swansea City - my home-town club
 
12) Do you think you could have made it as a footballer playing against today's players?

Yes - although the current game is faster and players are far more athletic, when I was playing more players had far more basic skill. The majority of modern players are robotic and have no flair (obviously there are some exceptions!) compared to my era.
 
13) What do you think is the most important trait in a modern-day footballer?

Skill - always has been and always will be - you can train people to be fitter and run faster and kick a ball from a free kick or penalty, but if they don't have that basic skill then they won't make it as a top flight international footballer.

Coming up in part two - Bob Lord, the orient game and Robbie Savage