Nicknames – Razor or HWF (Housewives Favourite)

Ruts Appearances – 282

Ruts Goals – 32

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

In 1998 I finally Joined, aged 23

I was working at Comet in Wimbledon on Saturdays from the age of 16 to 23 selling washing machines to all the local housewives …which I was particularly good at. 😉

My oldest mate Jimmy Wilkes had been asking me for years to quit Comet and come down and play for the Old Ruts!! But hang on I was only 20 years old ..I was a young Rut not and old Rut !

Jim would talk lovingly about his football mates Gappy, Knotty, Juppy, Boony,,Zanzy, Murphy but they all sounded a bit weird to me. Nah I was having none of that.

Once I joined I wished I had joined earlier – these boys were legends and I would have the honour to play with them for many years.

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

I am severely lacking some memory cells probably due to heading the football multiple times a game for over 13 years ….

However I do remember getting pulled into a game for the 2nd or 3rds one hot sunny Saturday in April or May and we had to win the game to win the league , we were awesome that day… even Ben Barber played well which was rare 😊 The game was very tight and we won in the last few minutes, the celebrations after were memorable with loads of man love which I was always into.

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

Captain was Alan Whiter…. Calm, good talker, grafter, led by example

I enjoyed all the managers I played under..

Fred Jupp, Howard Meredith, Peter Heyne, Graham Clayton ….Brian Kerwick all good managers.

Peter Heyne played me in Midfield for a season so I have a soft spot for him

If I had to choose one it would be Brian Kerwick – he was more like my Dad.

Question 4 – Your funniest Ruts Football Memory.

Loads of funny tours

Lloret de Mar Football Tour maybe year 2000 sticks out – We must have gone off season as no one was there, and after a few beers , and the realisation that the pub was a bit of a sausage fest we plotted to kidnap a live parrot that was randomly in a cage in the Pub.

As I approached the cage, and went to pop my hand inside the Parrot screamed “ Ola Amigo” and I lost my bottle (ok that last bits not true)

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

Cant think of one – all good memories , maybe realising that I was too old to play anymore and we would never be in that boiling hot bath all together again.

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

Tough one, I played with a few great players at the twilight of their careers like Knotty ,Gappy Boony, Capper, Howard all had amazing football brains, none had any pace at that point but were like wizards on the ball.

Alan Whiter one of my best mates, I can honestly say he made you a better player when you played with him.

But my choice is Linesey aka “The Beast” for the reason he could play in any position he wanted to and would probably be the best on the pitch at it , in Goal, defender midfielder and Striker, his commitment to winning was ridiculous . he could win games on his own.

Best Headerer of the ball, strongest tackle, had a good touch for a bit of a lump 😊

I was always so happy to have him in my side and so glad I never had to play against him.

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

I only scored headers from corners or free kicks, and they were all the same about 4 yards out…

My favourite goal was one I set up. It wasn’t any special game, but it sticks in my memory as I have never replicated it before or after….We were playing at Wimbledon Common extensions and I dribbled the ball from the edge of my box to the oppos corner flag (I was playing centre back btw) everyone was telling me to pass it as I was very well known for losing the ball by overplaying….i just ignored them and kept going , I went passed 3 or 4 players and by the time I got to the corner flag I was literally on my knees . I knew if I lost it I would have to sprint back and deal with the stick I would get for being greedy..(mainly from Ryan Brown ) So instead with the last bit of energy I had I barged past 1 more player and then swung my leg and the ball went flying across the face of the goal onto Alan Morley’s head…. GOOOOOOOALLL!

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

Every week in the showers standing next to Simon Young!