Jon Shaw - The Interview

Hi Jon first of all i would just like to take the time out to thank you for taking part in this interview it is much appreciated by myself and the viewers of my blog.

First of all we will talk about your time with the owls Jon

You came through the academy system at hillsborough and made your debut against Gillingham coming on for Gerald Sibon , What do you remember about the game and how did you feel to be making your debut ?

I remember thinking the game wasn’t going to be on, we’d travelled on the Friday for a Saturday cup tie which was called off for a frozen pitch and really the weather hadn’t changed by the Tuesday but the game went ahead on an icy pitch. I was still really excited at being named on the bench and although it wasn’t until we were 4-1 down that I was called by Chris Turner to go on, I couldn’t wait. I remember running on and try to get a touch. I chased the right back and slipped on the ice when I try to stop. I attempted an overhead kick late on in the game but to b honest the result and circumstances weren’t too important to me, I’d got an appearance for Sheffield Wednesday and that was enough.

Your next appearence in the famous blue and white was coming on as 90th minute sub  on the final day of the 02-03 season in a 2-1 victory over wallsall , How did it feel to be stepping onto the hallowed S6 turf as a first team player ?

In a way by then I was a little disappointed to have not had a chance before that game as we had been relegated in the previous weeks and I was still scoring regular for both reserves and the U19’s but as before all I could think about was getting on and all though it was only for a few minutes I put myself about, trying to introduce myself to the fans and if Lloyd (owusu) had squared the ball instead of shooting from an impossible angle I may have marked my home debut with a goal. It wasn’t to be but I was still happy to have played at the ground I’d been visiting as a fan for so many years before.

                                                     Jon  in action for Sheffield Wednesday 

You left wednesday to join York City on loan  although you failed to scored you were recalled back after an injury crisis and put straight into the squad what do you remember about the time ?

I really enjoyed my time at York, I was a little unlucky to not have scored but the management, players and fans of York were brilliant with me and I’d been starting games in league football which was a brilliant time in my development as a player and it taught me a lot. When I was recalled I was quite gutted to be leaving York but excited as I thought I’d be getting my opportunity at Wednesday to show my worth. I went in to the squads but didn’t play for around 5weeks which was frustrating as could’ve been playing games at York but when I did get my chance at Rushden I grabbed it and was on cloud 9 as I went on a run of games and felt like I was a real part of the team.  

You finished the season with  2 goals to your name  which were a header against Luton Town  and long range effort against QPR , What did it feel like to score for wednesday ?

After not scoring in my first few games I wasn’t really getting too bothered with it, I was just enjoying playing for my team in some big games and I felt I was contributing and doing well, but I was dropped for a few games which hurt a bit but as a young player you don’t really see the big picture and so I went back to reserve football and waiting for another chance. When it came and we played Luton away my dad had told me he’d had a feeling I was going to play me and score. I don’t usually take much notice of things like that but on this day he was right and seeing the header go in was amazing. There was no real celebration, the lads all swarmed on me and were joking about saying ‘bout time’, but I didn’t care I’d put Sheffield Wednesday ahead and was really happy, until the 2^nd half when we threw away the 2 goal lead and lost 3-2! My 2^nd goal felt unbelievable, although we lost 3-1 to QPR who went on to be promoted after that game, I scored at Hillsborough in front of almost 30,000 and felt like I was starting establish myself in the team. My family and friends all watching, it was easily one of the best days of my career if not, the best.

After  that you was rewarded with a new contract at the club did you sense the chance to  start to make a name for yourself ?

I felt I had, and I wanted to stay and play for Sheffield Wednesday but I also said I didn’t want to sign and then come back and be 4^th or 5^th choice behind new signings. I was assured if I came back playing the same way I wouldn’t be. I think I was a bit naïve back then in believing the manager but I was happy to do so to stay at the club. I trained hard and scored in almost every reserve game I played in but I wasn’t getting a look in in the first team, I asked to go on loan and wasn’t allowed and by October Chris Turner was sacked.

You eventually left the club when being told by then manager Paul Sturrock you would not be rewarded with another deal , How did it feel being released from  Sheffield Wednesday ?

Paul Sturrock came in, the squad was told everyone would get a chance and after a month without one I went and asked what going to happen and was told I was down the pecking order and the club would let me leave and find a club. That was hard to hear and maybe I should have stuck it out and maybe waited for a chance but being told by my club after 8 years that I wasn’t wanted anymore hurt and I left the next day.

Who in your opinion was the best player you had the pleasure of playing with during your time at the club ?

It’s difficult as we had some great players, especially when I first started training and getting involved with the first team. Players like Andy Hinchcliffe and Des Walker were legends of the game and I was going from watching them week in week out to training with them and chewing their ears off with questions. I only had a brief spell with those players and then Sibon with his laid back style and unbelievable power was great some days terrible the next. Sid (Simon Donelly) was great to watch, he a one of the best 1^st touches I’ve seen. Brunty’s left foot in training and on a Saturday on free kicks, there’s no surprise he’s in the Prem now. Kevin Pressman will never be surpassed as the best keeper for shot stopping, kicking and all round game. Prezzy is a top bloke as well, always willing to talk and help whenever he could. I could to name a lot of players, but saying all that, the biggest influence and easiest to play with was Mark Robins, I played with him at the back end of the season and then when I moved to Burton knowing he was there was a big pull. His movement and talking on the pitch taught me a lot.

                                                        Kevin Pressman in action

Now we know all about your time with wednesday let's talk about your current club Gateshead town

You are currently with Gateshead town after spells with Burton , Halifax & Rochdale to name a few  how did the move to your current employers materialise ?

After a good start at Burton which petered off, and great, but brief spell at Halifax. I thought my league career was going to get back on track at Rochdale, but a few injuries I had a few loan moves to keep myself playing and scoring. When the opportunity to leave came up I moved to a big club for our standard in Mansfield but the club had a big squad and it was a case of seeing out the season. I had another year on my contract but Gateshead came in and Mansfield allowed me to leave for free. Since being up, after a injury hit 1^st pre-season I never really got fit but managed to score 21 goals, this year I’ve had a full pre-season and feel good which has left me feeling comfortable in myself and I’m playing in a creative team and attacking formation and got 19 in 21 so far. 

The head currently sit in 6th place on a respectable 34 points after 19 games , How do you rate your chances of gaining promotion into the league ?

I think for us to aim for winning the league would be unrealistic, especially with some of the teams and budgets we have to compete with, however the play offs are a target and achievable goal for us. Once you’re in those it’s a lottery but on our day we can beat anyone in this league as we’ve shown in my time at the club, so were quietly confident of making them and seeing where we can get to.

Your in a rich vein of personal form that has seen you score 16 goals and currently leading the charts for the leagues golden boot , Is this down to anything in particular such as good service or just a change in training methods ?

I think as we play an attacking 4-3-3 and I’m down the middle, a lot of our service in to the box is there for me to attack, then its down to my movement and desire to score. Also though, with being as fit as I’ve been for a few years and a little older and wiser, I’m more comfortable in my game and feel like I’m going to get chances most weeks and that I’ll take them more often than not.

                                     Jon scoring for Gateshead against Tamworth

Thank you for your time Jon  and i wish you the best of luck in your promotion challenge and hope come the end of the season im sending you a message of congratulations on both the promotion & Golden boot front.

Jon can be found on twitter here -  Jon Shaw - Twitter 

Cheers

Tommy

Claire Wallhead - The Interview

So after a bit of break due to family circumstances im back again this time with a interview from Claire Wallhead who is Nottingham Forest ladies Goalkeeper & Sheffield Wednesday Season ticket holder.

Firstly i would like to to take the time to thank Claire for her time to answer these questions  it is much appreciated 

So then Claire how did you end up supporting the famous blue and white wizards ?

I had a phase of supporting all the big teams of the time when I was in Primary School like everybody does, but I think it was my friends that made me stick with Wednesday.  I remember one of the older girls in my school supporting Wednesday and she was a good footballer, so I think that kind of swung it too.

What are your earliest memories of watching wednesday & Can you remember your first game if so what was it  ?

My first Wednesday game, I think I was about 6 or 7.  I'm not entirely sure but I think we played Chelsea.  I went with one of my mums friends who was a season ticket holder in the kop.  She bought me T-shirt from the shop and I dont think I ever had it off.  I can't remember the score but I'm sure we won.   

Who are your favorite owls players in the past & Present  and why ?

My first ever favourite player was Mark Bright.  There have been a few through the seasons, but I think Benito Carbone sticks out the most and of course the legend that is Kevin Pressman.  In the current squad, I think Ben Marshall has been a real asset and bought some quality to the team.  I also think Richard O'Donnell has been doing well in Weavers absence.

                                  Benito Carbone 

What in your opinion is the best owls goal you have ever seen ?

Thats a tough one.. I went to the Leicester away game when we won 4-1, with Whelan and Brunt scoring brilliant goals, but the one that sticks out is Tommy Spurr's volley from just outside the area against Plymouth a few seasons ago.

Wednesday have been very active in bringing players in this season in a few positions  which few for you have been the better signings and why ?

I think Semedo and Rob Jones are the big ones for me.  I was really impressed with Jones at the end of last season and was really pleased when we signed him.  Ben Marshall has been a great signing just because of the quality he has brought to the team, hopefully we can keep him until the end of the season. 

What is your best memory in your lifetime watching the owls   ? 

Thats got to be the play off final.  I remember everything about the day and the game.  I remember getting off the bus and walking to the ground and the streets just been full of Wednesdayites with all the singing and hooters, its giving me goosebumps just thinking about it.  I think I went through every emotion that day, and I've never shouted so much.  I remember going to training that week and not being able to talk!

Also could you give me a prediction on where you think we will finish this season and who will finish top goal scorer for us and with how many ?

Well now we've started picking up some good results on the road, I'm feeling more positive about the season.  I'd love to say we'll win the league, but realistically I think we'll make the play offs playing Huddersfield in the final.  Madine's on fire at the minute, so I'll go for him as top scorer with 18

Now we know about Wednesday Claire how about a insight into Nottingham forest ladies goalkeeper claire

How long have you been playing football  and how did you end up at Forest ?

I've been playing football since I was at primary school.  My first club was Chesterfield where I started in the under 10's, and I did go as a midfielder.  But they didn't have a keeper so I volunteered and never looked back.  I remember loosing our first game about 9-0 but I got man of the match.  I played with Chesterfield all through Juniors and the Centre of Excellence which lead to me playing for England under 17's.   I also played for Doncaster Belles Under 16's for a season. From Chesterfield, I had a few season with Leeds United and then moved to Wednesday in 2002.  I signed for Forest in 2008 after they had just won promotion into the Premier League.  We played them in the last game of the 2007 - 08 season and they had to beat us to get promoted. I think they ended up winning about 5-1, but I remember playing well that game so I must have done something right.

Which Goalkeepers have inspired you to get you where today and do you keep a closer eye on our goalkeepers at games for tips ?

I think my main influence was Leanne Hall (who is also a Wednesday fan) who was the manager of Donny Belles under 16's.  She was also Donny Belles first team keeper and second choice England keeper.  She was a massive role model for me, and we ended up going to Leeds together.  Been able to training with an England international at 16 was just brilliant, and had a massive impact on me as a player.  We still train together, and I know I can ask her for advice anytime which is great.  I love watching our keepers warm ups and the opposition keepers warm up.  I've always got my eyes open for tips and different things to try. 

          Claire in action for Nottingham Forest 

Where do you think you will finish in the league this season ?

After finishing league and cup runners up last season, we haven't had a great start to this season, with a lot of movement with players coming in and out.  But we picked up a great result on Sunday so hopefully we can build some momentum now and get a good run going.  The league seems to be really open this year, so I think we'll finish mid table, hopefully with another cup final along the way as well.

 

Finally thanks again to Claire for answering these questions for me it is  very appreciated 

 Claire can be found on twitter here  Claire Wallhead -Twitter account




For my next interview which is with former Sheffield Wednesday academy graduate Jon Shaw , Some of your questions would be more than welcome 

Famous Fan Interview - Katy Livingston

The latest installment in the blog  is a famous fan interview with  Great Britain Modern Pentathlete & Sheffield Wednesday fan Katy Livingston , I would like to thank Katy for taking the time out to conduct this interview in what must be a busy training period with the 2012  olympics just around the corner.

                                                   Katy in her  GB Uniform

So then Katy your classed as a famous owls fan how did you come about to supporting the famous blue and  white wizards  ?

My dad grew up in Sheffield and is a lifelong fan so it was only natural to follow the same team that he did. Although I have never lived in Sheffield, all of my Dads side of the family still live there, so I am a regular visitor.

There is something quite breath taking about an evening game at hillsborough under the lights isn't there , What are your earliest memories of going to owls games ?

My first ever SWFC game was against Coventry and I was around 10 years old. I don't remember much about the match itself, only faint memories of walking to the ground, however my Dad assures me it was a 1-1 draw with the goal coming from Viv Anderson. He can remember most matches and goal scorers whereas Im a bit useless at that sort of thing.

I do remember going to Hillsborough on a Saturday afternoon with my Dad whenever we were staying with my Grandma for the weekend. He always parks at the top of Halifax Road and after the game he would make me run all the way up the hill to get to the car as quickly as possible to beat the traffic. I used to hate that. 

One of the earliest games that does stick out in my memory was the 1-0 victory over Arsenal. It was the game where DiCanio pushed the ref over and never played for us again. A game full of drama, and of course a victory! 

                                                    Paolo Pushing The Ref

Wednesday over the years have had some top notch players but if you had to choose one who is your all time favorite player to have donned the stripes ? 

I really loved Chris Brunt. His crosses into the box were awesome and you actually believed he may hit the target when he took a long shot. I saw him score a screamer at Leicester when we won 4-1. That was a brilliant game to be at!

What is your best memory in your lifetime watching the owls   ?

Without a doubt, the League 1 Play off final against Hartlepool at the Millenium stadium. From the moment I stepped off the train in Cardiff and heard the hooters/sirens and joined the crowd of blue and white, it was an emotional rollercoaster but I loved every minute of it. 

What is the best goal you have ever witnessed an owls player score ?

As mentioned already, Brunts goal against Leicester in the 4-1 win stands out for me. But another favourite of mine came from a game not too long after the Leicester one in the same season, the injury time equaliser from Mark Crossley to level the game against Southampton. I remember that goal because I turned to my sister as he ran up the pitch for a corner, and shouted at her 'Crossleys going to score, Crossleys going to score', she said 'No way, he's the keeper!' at which point he threw himself in the air and headed it in. Brilliant! Sometimes you can come away from a draw feeling like you had the victory and that was one of those days. 

                                          Mark Crossley scores against Southampton

Wednesday have had a mixed start to the season exiting both the league cup and JPT leaving us with the just the league to concentrate on how do you feel we will fair for the season ?

Im usually positive when it comes to how Wednesday will do, however having seen two games this season so far (Bournemouth and the televised Charlton) I wasnt too inspired. We didnt seem to create many goal chances and hence didnt really look like scoring in either games. I still think that we will grind out results though and probably end up in the top 6 at the end of the season. 

Also what did you make of the signings made in the close season?

I have to confess that although I love Wednesday and follow them closely I don't really look at who is playing well etc for other teams, so I didn't know much about most of our signings. From seeing them play though, I think Ben Marshall looks promising, and I just hope Ryan Lowe isn't out for too long as he should have bags of confidence in front of goal with 7 goals to his name already with Bury. Wednesday need someone like that as quite often I feel our players look petrified when they get the ball in front of the goal. 

Current manager Gary Megson still divides the fans opinions at the moment  what are your thoughts on the " Ginger Mourinho " ?

From following some of the players on Twitter, it sounds like he whipped them into shape pre-season with alot of hill running etc. I like the sound of this as football players need to be tougher these days. i cant stand soft players who go down easily, so I would probably be a little hard on them too. At the end of the day though, any manager who brings the team success will be loved, so I guess I will hold out on forming any strong opinions on him until the end of the season. 

                                          Gary Megson

Finally could you give me a prediction for the season on where you think we will finish who will top score and of course some derby day predictions for the games against the unwashed  ?

Im going with top 6 finish, Madine or Lowe to be top scorer, and we will beat the Blades at home 2-1, and draw at the Sty. 

Thanks once again for taking your time out to answer these questions  Katy  they are greatly appreciated & I wish you the best of luck with your career 

Thanks 

Tommy

Ritchie Humphreys - The Interview

Firstly  i would like to thank Ritchie for taking the time out to answer these questions for me they are much appreciated.

It's well documented that your a massive fan of them from across the city so how did you feel when you was released by them at such a young age ? And how did joining Wednesday come about ?

When I was released I was about 13 and was absolute devastated, as you mentioned my dad and granddad were both big unitedites so was obviously taken to watch the blades as a kid and like yourself found an affection for your local club.

I was playing for Greenhill and Lowedges on Greenhill school field vs Rawmarsh St josephs we won 3-0 and I scored a hat-trick, over Sunday dinner my dad told me that a scout called Jack Wade had asked him if I would like to go to swfc centre of excellence, I did and of course from there I went to be a yts and then a pro.  

David Pleat gave you the opportunity to travel with the squad to Holland for the pre season as a young player how did this feel for you?

 I was buzzing that I was asked to go, injuries to Hirst and Bright meant that we needed an extra striker to travel, so my opportunity came in the games out there and thankfully I scored a few goals which as the season approached meant I was in with a shout of possibly starting the season as the senior players hadn’t recovered from injury

You scored twice in the first fixture and then scored against FC Utrecht in the second game whilst out there what do you remember about the goals?

I remember in the first game Scott Oakes playing a lovely chipped ball over the back four and I side foot volleyed it into the corner, the second goal managed to turn their centre back on the edge of the box and struck a lovely shot past the keeper.

To score two in one first team game gave me lots of confidence going into the Utrecht game where I manages to score the only goal of the game this time a one on one with the keeper and scored with my right foot(a rarity in my career ha)

I’m not sure if you are aware of this but Johan Cryuff was guest of honor at the Utrecht game and described you as " the next Marco Van Basten “ how did you feel being likened to one of the greats of the game by another great?

A question ive been asked lots of times, without wanting to ruin the story which is a fantastic one, Marco Van Basten was actually guest of honor that night as that is the club where he started out, and after the game the press were obviously keen to get a few words from him. They asked him how he thought swfc number 9 played and I think he politely said he is a young player, who may have a good future in the game,

Now how the “new Johan cryuff” or new “Marco van basten came from I have no idea.

A great story non-the less

                                            Image courtesy of sporting-heroes.net

You scored 4 goals in 5 games to fire Wednesday to the top of the premier league, which is quite a feat at such a young age, what do you, remember about this time period?

Well following on from Holland to then score on my FULL debut at Hillsborough vs. Aston Villa to score a volley like I did at the kop end was unreal, it was a boyhood ambition to become a pro footballer but to be then representing one of my cities teams was a massive honor. Scoring at our local rivals Leeds on the Tuesday was again a brilliant victory and as my mate put it the following morning as we were getting changed at the training ground ‘its like Roy of the rovers this’

We then went to St James Park and beat the toon which is never an easy place to go to, and then I scored in the following game vs. Leicester at Hillsborough live on sky, a goal I consider the best goal ive ever scored.

As an 18 year old Sheffield lad you can imagine the immense pride I had been part of that team which after august were top of the premier league

After that you failed to score in the league for the remainder of the season surely a blow to your confidence how do you feel during this period?

Yeah apart from the 2/3 I scored in the fa cup vs Grimsby I didn’t get on the score sheet, but making 40 first team appearances in my first season was a huge learning curve plus we had our senior strikers back fit and I was still learning the game everyday in training working with good players and coaches.

What in your opinion was the best goal you ever scored for Wednesday, the thunderbolt volley against Villa or the chip against Leicester city and why?

My volley vs. villa was a fantastic strike that I was very very happy with but he chip vs. Leicester was I think the more difficult of the two to score so id have to go with that.

Both were in for goal of the month but Beckham from the halfway line was the winner

Whilst with Wednesday you were selected to play for the England under 20's in the world cup in Malaysia and wore the the number 9 shirt for the tournament how much pride did you feel to be representing your country and what memories do you have off the tournament?

Id already represented our u21’s which was a massive honor, 3 lions on your chest, national anthem playing, proper hairs on the back of your neck standing up stuff, the u20 world cup was a fantastic experience and like you said wearing that number 9 shirt made me feel a very proud Englishman

During the next few years Wednesday looked abroad and brought in several signings from far a field including Benito Carbone & Paulo Di Canio did you know that your days were numbered at the time or was you determined to prove your worth and force your way back into the team?

I tried very hard to force my way back into the team but when you have such quality in front of you as the players you have mentioned then its very difficult.

I have had a some very good experiences as a professional footballer and I am very thankful that I have been able to stay in the game for 17 years playing around 600 games, what I do believe is that if I was good enough to sustain the level of performance required to stay in a premier league team then I would have, sometimes you have to hold your hands up and that there are better players out there and they are the ones still competing week in week out at the highest level.

What are your most fond memories of your time with us and why? 

I loved my time at SWFC as I said previously that regardless of me supporting SUFC as a boy, representing Sheffield Wednesday, playing for one my cities teams meant a great deal to me and is something im very proud of.

Thank you for your questions

Cheers Ritchie

Richard O'Donnell The Interview

Hello and welcome back to my blog todays installment sees a second interview this time with current first team goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell , I would like to start by thanking Richard for his  time and allowing me to do this it is greatly appreciated.

Ma- Your debut for Wednesday came in the 2-0 Defeat away at Southampton last season as a lifelong Wednesdayite yourself how did it feel to be playing for your boyhood club ? 

RD- I waited a long time for my debut, so when it came i was determined to make the most of it. Playing for Sheffield Wednesday is a dream come true, not just on my debut but every time i put the shirt on. My debut however was extra special, with it being at a great stadium in front of 20,000 people and live on sky. It's a day i'll never forget and is the proudest day of my life!

Ma- Touching on the previous question what was it like walking out at hillsborough for the very first time was you a bag of nerves or calm ?

RD- I was a lot more nervous playing at Hillsborough than i was on my debut. Maybe because of the league situation we were in and because of the expectance of the crowd (which i believe should be how it is), but again, its a moment ill never forget and getting that buzz of walking out in front of the best fans in the country was amazing and i never lost the buzz as i went on through the games. 

MA- After your debut you had a lengthy spell in the first team how did this experience help you as a player  ? 

 RD- The experience of playing in league 1 for a start is brilliant, but to be doing it for the biggest club in the league was amazing and something i tried to take into my stride. I did nothing different from when i wasn't even making the squads and went to Grimsby to play football and in the end it worked. I never lost patience with what i was doing and in the end its a good job i didn't. But i definitely feel more confident for the experience and i'm very very eager to push on again and play for SWFC as many times as possible.

Ma- How difficult is it to maintain good relationships with Nicky Weaver & Aaron Jameson given that they are your direct competion for  a place ?

RD- Not difficult at all...all keepers will say the same, although we are playing for one position we are all very very close. We always help each other through everything and stay in touch outside football. Whenever something good happens to the others we are all happy for them and support them through it. So its not difficult to keep a good relationship with any of them.

 MA- At 22 years of age you still have a lengthy career left in the game where do you ideally see yourself in 5 years time ?

RD- Ideally, I'd love to be at Sheffield Wednesday playing week in week out. That's the aim. If not, I've got to try do as best i can when i do play to find another club and have a successful career as a number 1. As you say i've got plenty of time to play my games, so at the minute I'm just concentrating on working as hard as i can, playing as many games as i can for SWFC and staying here for as long as i can!

MA- Many wednesdayites will expect the side to make a push for promotion next season do you think we have the right foundations to do this ?

RD- Yeah definitely, we have a manager who is unbelievably passionate about the football club, I think that's massive. He knows how to get the lads going and with a few more players in the summer we will be pushing for promotion and wont accept anything less. We all know what is expected, this club shouldn't be in the third tier of English football and it's up to us to get out of this league and with a good pre-season behind us we will work as hard as possible to achieve this.

MA- Speaking of next season what are your  personal targets for next season ?

RD- My personal targets are to play as many games as possible for SWFC this season. I want to push Nicky and Arron as much as possible and i'll have the same work ethic as i always do and work as hard as i can each and every session. We all know that Nicky will be No1 when we go back, that goes without saying, hes a top keeper with bags of experience, but thst doesnt mean that I cant push him and push him and when/if i get my chance ill be ready to take it.

 MA - Who are best friends within football and why ?

RD- My best friends are Tommy Spurr, Mark Beevers and Luke Boden. We all came through the academy together and we are still extremely close. Although Luke has gone to America to play football now, we still keep in touch. Besides them three, Rob Burch, Lee Grant, Billy Mercer, Nicky Weaver and Arron Jameson are also very good fiends of mine. Oh, and Liam Palmer as well....forgot about him for a second, he won't mind though :)

MA -Who is your room mate for away games and what bad habits do they  tend to have ?

RD- Erm....it depends who travels to the games really but usually the keepers stick together, and luckily the don't have any bad habbits! Although, when i made my debut i roomed with Sean Cuff and it was his first away trip and was nearly his last! he got to sleep before me and started snoring after 5 mins and kept me up, I got more and more wound up so took me a while to get to sleep but i got there eventually! Luckily for him!!

MA- Finally i would like to thank you for your time again it is much appreciated by myself and the viewers of the blog

  

 RD- No Problem, hope its ok! 

Richard

Lee Bullen The Interview

Firstly Lee i would like to take the time to thank you for conducting this interview with me it is greatly appreciated 
So it's the summer of 2004 and you have just led Dunfermline to a Scottish cup final how did a move to Sheffield Wednesday come around was there many other choices at the time ? if so who and why did you choose to join the owls over other clubs ?
Two weeks before the final, I had played fantastic in a league victory over Celtic AT Parkhead, but come the final....I was left on the bench. Biggest let down of my career and that incident basically summed up my relationship with our Gaffer, Jimmy Calderwood. We got on well but I never seemed to do enough for him....so it was time to move on. Peter EUSTACE had watched me a few times for Chris Turner, he invited me down to S6 and I was hooked! Fantastic opportunity...options? A couple but nothing to compare to Wednesday.

After just a few games with the club you were made captain after Lifelong owls fan Chris Marsden had to retire with injury , How much of a honor was it to be given the captains band at a club of such stature & History ?


I was gutted for Chris as he was brilliant to have around in his short spell with us. His injury was really bad and, ultimately, led to his retirement. It gave me an incredible chance to take the arm-band short term (I thought)....the biggest lift for me was that the other lads seemed to accept me getting it without any negativity at all, that was a really good feeling and allowed me to enjoy the honour even more.


Your first goal for the club came in a 2-1 victory away at blackpool what do you remember about that goal and game ?
I remember that we were under major pressure to get a result after a shocking performance v Colchester the week before. I played left-back as Hecky took a knock and I can still see the ball dropping to me on the edge of the box and I just thought 'if you don't buy a ticket....' Luckily the volley flew in and we got the 3 points.
Whilst on the subject of goals you scored a header in the cup away at Man City to send thousands of owls delirious including myself for a short while what was going through your mind once the ball hit the back of the net ?
I got a couple of yards on Micah Richards and was able to get good contact on the ball. 9 times out of 10, that will end up over the bar but this time it was right in the postage stamp and it left a certain Mr Weaver grasping at fresh air! Haha....brilliant. We gave it a right good go over the two games but just fell short in the end.

You famously played in all 11 positions for Wednesday even goalkeeper at Millwall away what on earth was going through your mind as you decided to don the gloves ?
I had done it before at youth level so I felt comfortable enough with it.....until I had to walk up to the home end and get some friendly comments from the lovely people from Millwall. Second half was better as I had the Owls fans behind me and they were magnificent....almost as good as Richard Wood and Drissa Diallo who never let there strikers get a sniff of a shot at goal. Dunno what was more surprising though, my clean sheet or Franky scoring a goal!

During your stay at hillsborough you captained the club to a 4-2 playoff final victory over hartlepool what are memories of the season and of course the day of the final in cardiff ?


Lows- first game defeat v Colchester
High- first goal/win v Blackpool
Low- shocking pass back v Bradford
High- Win next game v Chesterfield 
Low- Chris Turner sacking
High- win v Hull to secure play-offs
High- double over Brentford in semis
HIGH (never to be beaten)- Captain at Cardiff. Best day of my career.
HIGH- doing the conga up the middle of the motorway with the cup as there was a Wednesday traffic jam.
HIGH- motorway services full of Owls when we walked in the cup... 'ee aye ee aye ee aye o, up the football league we go....'
Your stay at hillsborough was ended by Brian Laws how did you find out the club would not be offering you a new deal and did you feel you had more to give to the club
?


Brian told me in the January that he would be 'going in a different direction' at the end of the season. Deflated but totally understood that he, as the manager, must make that kind of decision. No problem with Brian at all, but would loved to have been given a wee chance to help out in the coaching side....no bitterness at all, just an 'I wish......' scenario.

Which people have you remained life friends with from your wednesday days and will the club always hold a place in your heart ?



Glen Whelan, JP McGovern, Chris Brunt, David Lucas, Richard Wood, Deon Burton and John Hills are all people I keep in touch with regularly but it's the 'real' people that I've met though my time at the club....admin staff, life-long supporters etc.
Your currently the assistant manager at Falkirk at the moment and doing your Uefa coaching badges would you like to become a full time manager one day ?
Absolutely, but the current financial state of football in Scotland could kill that career path before it's really started unfortunately. I'd love the opportunity to come back to England but that is easier said than done....I certainly don't sign up to the notion that 'this game owes me a living', that is bull***t. You get out what you put in and anybody that knows me would agree when I say that I was never fantastically gifted but you'd get nothing short of 100% hard work.
More to the point if the opportunity ever arose to manage wednesday would you be throwing your name into the hat for it ?



Not had enough experience yet but I'm getting there. There's a lot of good young managers being given opportunities by good clubs and I have strong beliefs in that the game should be about passing and moving the football, at pace and with a purpose. My players would have to trust themselves and their team mates when on the pitch, it's an entertainment business after all but there has to be a 'structured freedom' about the way you play. It's not about the formation, it's about the philosophy....sorry, starting to blabber on a bit. Would love to be given the opportunity one day.
Finally i would like to thank you once again for your time and replies conducting this interview and the best of luck in the future.
Cheers Tommy
Pleasure, send me the link when it's up on the web.