No, not Springsteen !! Matt !

Amber:  Hi Matt. First of all, Happy New Year. Now, I’m not going to ask you about the football because you talk about that every week but I’m sure the fans would like to know more about you.

Amber: I will start with an easy one.  Where did you grow up ?

Matt: Barnet born and bred. I still live there now but went to secondary school in Potters Bar.

Amber: Was it always football for you or were you into anything else ?

Matt: I love all sports but football has always been my favourite. One of my first words was goal!!! Golf has always been a close second and I still play when I can now. Although since becoming a manager it has certainly taken a back seat.

Amber: How did you get into the professional game ? Which was your first club ?

Matt: I got scouted by Arsenal at 13 whilst playing for my district team. I had three years as a schoolboy with them before being released. I then left school at 16 and signed for my boyhood club Tottenham.

Amber:  When did you realise you were not going to be the next Bobby Moore, or even the next Alan Hansen ?

Matt: Probably when I was at Tottenham.  I managed to play about a dozen reserve team games but when my youth team centre half partner was Ledley King I always knew he was head and shoulders ahead of me. He was a top player and I realised then it was going to be hard to break through at Spurs and become a Premier League player. I was obviously not up to that level.

Amber: Your career was cut short by injury.  How old were you when you stopped playing and did you ever think you could make a comeback ?

Matt: I got my first serious injury at 19 and pretty much struggled to stay fit from then until I retired when I was 25. I had six operations in six years. Three on my knee and three on my back. Retired due to a back injury. I never really felt close to making a comeback as I kept breaking down. Obviously very disappointing but it did allow me to get into coaching at a young age.

Amber:  What’s a typical week like for you during the season ?

Reply: I always like to watch our previous match back to look at where we can improve.  We then train three mornings a week.  Training can vary depending on what we need to work on and the stage of the season.  In between training myself, Jason and Micky will either watch live, if we can, or videos of the next opposition making sure we are fully prepared and organised.

Amber: And now for some important questions.  Who is the worst person to sit next to on the team coach ?

Matt: Its got to be Micky Stephens!!!!  All he talks about is the Coventry Cup game.

Amber: Who makes a bee line for the food after matches ?

Matt: Again I think its Micky. Seb and Bobby are always onto him….. I don’t think he ever lets himself get hungry.

Amber: Does Bruce always wear a tie ?

Matt:   Haha funny you should say that. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him without one on.

Amber:  Thank you very much for your time Matt and good luck for the rest of the season.