Nicknames – Spud or Murph

Ruts Appearances – 339

Ruts Goals – 310 (Still top of the Hall of Fame)

Question 1 – When did you join the Old Ruts and why?

I loved playing football and used to play in Haydon’s Road Park with a guy called Steven O’Connor every day after school. He had gone along to the ORs and then dragged me along to a training session. Was the year after I finished school, 1991 I think ? (Stats man Gav will know). The rest as they say is history 🙂

Question 2 – What was your most memorable match and why?

The Cup Final replay against the Addos in 1999, they had 2 players sent off in first half, one for punching Boon. It was 2-2 so it went to extra time. They scored with a header by the smallest player on the pitch. I then got a last-second equaliser. The shirt came off, I’m not proud! And the match then went to penalties and Zanz did his stuff despite the local hooligan’s taunts. They then decided to throw lumps of concrete from the Terrace at us. Nice! I think Wally stayed behind for a beer whilst the rest of us checked to see if our cars still had wheels.

Question 3 – Who was the best Manager/Captain you played under?

Best – Fred Jupp. He played me every week and never subbed me.

Worst – Sorry Newks ! A bit like Gerrard and Scholes, he couldn’t squeeze me and Jimmy Wilkes into the same team at the time and we both hated being subbed.

Question 4 – Your funniest Ruts Football Memory.

My wife watching the game and asking me afterwards who the tall good looking one on the team was…. it was Phil HF Rea – FFS !

Question 5 – What is your least favourite Ruts Football Memory?

Torn ACL.

Question 6 – Best Player you ever played with for the Ruts?

Hands down Alan Whiter. Best player, nicest bloke and always passed to me

Question 7 – Favourite Goal you scored or were part of in the build up?

The last one/next one, but not likely!

Question 8 – Most embarrassing moment in a Ruts Shirt? (Playing or Socially)

Pretty much most of the 90s were quite embarrassing.