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TOP PLAYER INTERVIEWS
 | INTERVIEWS WITH SOME OF THE BEST PLAYERS TO HAVE REPRESENTED CHESTER-LE-STREET TOWN FC YOUTHS!
ON THIS PAGE INTERVIEWS WITH: LIAM ROBERTSON, JONATHAN TAYLOR, STEVEN RICHARDSON AND CHRIS BASHAM
LIAM ROBERTSON (TRUETT)
21 YEAR OLD LIAM ROBERTSON, an attacking midfield player from South Shields was outstanding for Chester-le-Street Town youths and helped the club to a quadruple in Season 2004/05 playing in the same side as Kris Thackray (now Reginna) and Ian Davidson (now Chester-le-Street first team).
The diminutive Robertson is one of the best technical players Youth Team Manager Andrew Muxworthy has seen in the last decade and with him jetting off to begin a Soccer Scholarship in Atlanta Georgia at the end of July. A couple of weeks into his new life we have caught up with Liam as he takes a break from his hectic training schedule.
Q) You ended up at Chester-le-Street through a recommendation to Andrew Muxworthy from Durham City midfielder Steven Richardson. What are your best memories of your time at the club and of the lads that you played with there?
Liam:“My best memories from my time at the club were our title games. Every time we won a trophy each player knew to themselves that the season was not finished and there was a lot more to come, which from the results of other games, we were right. To me this showed great ambition and showed how much the players wanted to be successful within the club”.
Q) You scored and set up some outstanding goals during your time at Chester – and scored some important ones like in the Durham County Cup Final win over South Moor at Dunston Federation. What were your most memorable moments in terms of your contribution on the field to an outstanding season?
Liam: “This may sound weird but the game that sticks in my mind was the Stockport County 1st Round F.A. Youth Cup thrashing because although we got battered all over, I believe I got more out of that game than any other in the season. Because of the opposition being stronger it was like a reality test to me even though the team goal was not achieved. I also remember The Durham County Youth Cup Final as I score the 3rd goal which took so much pressure off our shoulders. Then we knew we were going home with the trophy”.
Q) Gateshead College has never been far from your mind and under Chester-le-Street Coach Paul Bryson – who was your Men’s Soccer Coach at Gateshead College, you had some fantastic memories. One of them, the greatest, would be winning the National title. Tell us about the highs of playing for the College side that year?
Liam: “I attended Gateshead for 3 years and had great memories with all three but my last year in 2005/06 was the most incredible year of my footballing life. I think, with many other footballers in the squad including the likes of Chris Basham and Kris Thackray winning the title felt so good knowing we were through to the nationals and our Coach Paul Bryson wanted it so much. Not only that, but Paul was ambitious but very clever too. He rubbed his dream on to us players and it rubbed off well because each of us wanted this more and more. In the semi finals it was so dramatic I can’t describe it. Things like that don’t happen again but in the final it did happen. That is the great thing about the side that year. It felt as if it was meant to be and nothing would get in the way. I learnt so much off Paul at the College in those three years. In football, you have to chase what you are going for. You can’t rush in to it and you have to listen and give your ears the same time as you give your mouth. Things will happen. Attitude and professionalism plays a great part in developing people as players and as men”.
Q) You were also a key member of the Durham County FA Youth Squad during season 2004/05. What memories have you got from those games?
Liam: “Playing for Durham County was a passion to me and gave me a very proud feeling knowing that I was part of a team representing our region. We all knew we had to fill big boots from the previous season and we did try this 100%. I remember playing my first competitive game for the County when I came on sub and we were losing 1 - 0 with a few minutes to go. I curled in a left foot strike from outside the 18 yard box and the feeling of scoring for my County was awesome… ha. I also liked winning the Northern Counties Championship because we had a lot of supporters showing us their passion and we had a lot to give after falling down in The F.A. County Youth Cup”.
Q) After finishing in junior football your first step into the senior mens non-league football with with Colin Richardson – one of the regions most respected non-league managers - who was then Manager of Gateshead. What was it like to step in as an 18 year old to play at that level? And what about your decision to go Stateside?
Liam: “When Colin left Gateshead it was sad but in a way my eyes suddenly opened up to what I wanted to do. I wanted to try and build my way up the leagues starting from the Unibond but then I came across the opportunities for USA scholarships and heard about players succeeding over there. The prospects felt perfect to me. I attended a trial showcase held at Gateshead International Stadium kept my football at Jarrow Roofing whilst making contact with coaches in the USA. The main thing was to keep focused and not let anything and I mean anything get in the way of the plan. Sometime people think things won’t get in the way but things do and it may not happen and you may end up regretting what you have done. The best thing is say to yourself where are you going to be in 10 years time and then if you really want to go to the United States to play soccer, do it. It’s all about how focused you can become”.
Q) Chester’s Youth Team Manager Andrew Muxworthy believes you are one of the most talented players the club has ever had. He is knowledgeable on the American soccer scene and thinks you will adapt easily to the USA way of life following your switch to the USA in July 2007. Andrew believes you have the ability to play Major League Soccer. How do you feel about what Andrew says about your potential for the USA and Liam Robertson to be a perfect match?
Liam: “Meeting the demands of someone’s opinion always puts a lot of pressure on. I see it as a positive boost knowing that Andrew who has worked with great footballers, some of them turning professional, has real confidence in my ability and my potential. That gives me confidence. I believe a lot of players lack confidence and there is so much potential out there. I have seen these players myself. I always say the game is played with 60 to 70 % of the mind. This plays a tricky part in football because you could have all the ability in the world, but you don’t have the confidence and composure and mentality to show the world what you can do. Major league is a very high level here in the USA. To me it is a goal and aim, and I don’t see why any reason I can’t make it. It is something for players who move over to the USA to play soccer can aim for and it can pay off in many different ways if you don’t succeed into major league”.
Q) You have moved to the back of beyond. Not to a major city with big flashing lights but to a small quiet town called Truett, on the outskirts of Cleveland Georgia and about 40 minutes from Atlanta. How do you feel you will adapt to such a cultural change in your life away from South Shields and Newcastle?
Liam: “Well I can tell you right now to succeed in life you have to adapt to the things around you and not make them adapt to you. An example is right now. I am sitting in a dormitory with one Peruvian asleep, an American lying down. We got up at 6.00am this morning to go running and we do this every day until our season starts. We train four times a day no matter how bad or heavy our legs feel. No player is bigger than the team, and that’s why you adapt to the culture. Our team has players from all cultures and far ends of the Globe - from Germany, Mexico, Peru, USA, England, Ireland and Africa. It’s very mixed race. You have to think with your mind a lot”.
Q) Tell us about Truett: the place, the players, the people and their approach to football?
Liam: “Truett has a great coach in David McDowell. He used to play semi professional football in Germany and he knows the game very well. He knows most importantly how to achieve things. The players are very mixed culture. It has been hard but our pre season has made us bond more and more together, helping each other when others struggle, are examples of team bonding. Truett is a small place but is on the outskirts of one of the biggest cities in the USA – Atlanta - so there are quite a lot of people in Truett (more than you would think)! Overall you can see from each player they love football and enjoy playing a lot. Otherwise they would not be getting up every morning at 6 o’clock to do the fitness work”.
Q) How is your pre-season going and how are you settling in?
Liam: “Pre season is going great. I have bonded with all players particular Chris from England, Patrick from Germany, Ryan from Athens Georgia, Rennie from Peru and TJ from McDonough Georgia. These lads I have become close to, but I am also close to a lot more players. I am giving it 100% every training session we do, and this helps me focus so much. Not only do I think I’m more fit, I am also more confident and mentally controlled in situations. Right now I’m so ready for the season to start. It feels like a burst of energy and electricity wanting to get out of me. I can only wait so long until the season starts”.
Q) When does the season get underway and what do you expect it to be like?
Liam: “The season gets underway mid August. I think it will all be very new to me but I am a footballer and I know what to expect so I can say I’m physically and mentally prepared. All our team is prepared. I can say we can achieve things and we have the talent to do that. The question is can we perform on the pitch? I believe we can and we will it’s all about confidence”.
Q) What are your ambitions and personal goals for the season coming up?
Liam: “I’m not going to lie so I’m going to say I want to look beyond just this season and make it at the highest level possible in the USA playing soccer. I believe your dreams have to be realistic and I believe this dream is not out of my personal reach. Soccer scholarships to other universities are available to me in the future but I’m not thinking about that, I’m thinking about playing at the highest level and I would think a lot of guys playing over in the USA have the same goals. The main key is to focus and be consistent at a very high level”.
LIAM ROBERTSON INTERVIEW 3RD AUGUST 2007 |
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JONATHAN TAYLOR (NORTHWOOD)
 | Jonathan Taylor played for Chester-le-Street Town U18s in season 2002/03. He joined the club from Crook Town Juniors and made 22 competitive appearances for the Under 18s scoring 6 goals. He played in the most controversial match the club ever played in – a 2-1 home defeat in the F.A. Youth Cup 1st Round Proper by Hartlepool United. Jonathan played for the clubs Under 19s in season 2003/04 and also at first team level. He played for England School Boys, was a regular member of the Durham County Schools side and also played at Newcastle United Development and Leeds United Academy. In July 2004, he moved to Lynn University Boca Raton Florida for one year before moving the short trip up the road to play soccer for Northwood University, West Palm Beach. This year, at the end of his 2nd full season at Northwood, the side won the regional championships and reached the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Championships being in the elite eight. Jonathan Taylor was Head Men’s Soccer Coach Ty Brewers’ team player of the tournament.
Here’s his brief interview on Chester-le-Street but more intriguing update on life in the United States of America
Q) You played in the same Chester-le-Street Town youth side as Daniel Graham (Middlesbrough), Karl Haggon (Marshall University, Virginina), and Daniel Newby (from Chester-le-Street Town to Stockport County and now Bishop Auckland). Starting point: your best memories of playing for Chester-le-Street Town Youths?
JT: “It was a great year both on the football side and the general crack between the guys. We had a good bunch of lads. My best memory of the year would be the first game in the FA youth cup when we battered Southport Academy who were clear favourites to win. On a close second my free kick I scored from a little way out that Andrew missed as he was away for the weekend”
Q) You moved to Lynn University Florida in July 2004 and spent one season there in the NCAA Division Two under Head Men’s Soccer Coach Shaun Pendleton: Your memories from there?
JT: “Where do I start? Flying to games was a new and good experience for me. MC Hammer was on one of our flights and it was funny. Things didn’t work out for me on the footballing side - as happens in football, so I moved on".
Q) 2005 you moved on to Northwood University up the road in West Palm Beach (maybe 20 minutes North of Boca Raton on the interstate 95 (motorway). Why did you make the move and what benefits have you had since switching?
JT: “Well it didn’t really work out the way I wanted at Lynn, so I moved up to Northwood and got more playing time. I have improved as a player. I’ve become a captain of the team in the second year and we won the regional tournament and advanced to the quarter-finals of the nationals, beating the number 1 team in the nation along the way”.
Q) How does life in the US compare to back home?
JT: “It’s a totally different way of life. I prefer it much better over here. It is much more laid-back. Where I am in the US is warm all year round so I suppose that’s a positive for me living over here”.
Q) What recommendations would you make to any player thinking of going to the US, particularly to Florida, on a Soccer Scholarship programme?
JT: “Stick in with your studies, to get good grades as the better grades you get the more money you can receive on an scholarship. That includes a good SAT score. If you get one make sure you are really fit before you come over as the heat will take it out of you in pre-season. 3 times a day practice isn’t the easiest in 100 degrees heat”.
Q) Tell us about life at Northwood: social life, girlfriends, work opportunities, even a bit about the studying!?
JT: “Northwood is a very good school for education and for when you graduate. Social wise its a small school so you really know everyone there, which is good. Nightlife in West Palm Beach is excellent with a lot of places to go. Girlfriends, well I have a girl from Canada called Linz but the girls here are good, as it is south Florida and they all want to come to hot weather”.
Q) And playing for Ty Brewer (Head Men’s Soccer Coach) in the soccer programme is?
JT: “I love playing here it is relaxed environment and our coach is a mans man and a very down to earth guy. You feel like you can play freely which brings confidence. On the other hand he can be strict and will not put up with any nonsense from the players. He loves making us run a suicide. Also his assistants are cool and knowledgeable. One of them Jamie Morgan also played for Chester-le-Street”.
Q) Tell us the down side and up side of this season and a little bit about your role in the team and the fact that you are one of the sides top players?
JT: “Our team has the ability to beat the best in the nation as we proved in the national tournament beating Auborn Montgomery comfortably. But this season was up and down as we started with the mentality that we were already in the regional tournament as we were hosting it, so performance didn’t always meet our expectations. Once the regional rolled around we showed that we could beat the best and we did”.
Q) And… if you could change anything about your soccer life from 2002 arrival at Chester-le-Street to the present day?
JT: “Yeah obviously there are things that I wish hadn’t had happened or that I could change but to be honest I’m happy now where I am. I love the life I have playing football everyday and living in West Palm Beach, Florida, I couldn’t ask for anymore”.
Q) How long have you got left on your program and what are your post graduation aims?
JT: “I have a year left in the program which is good to give me and the boys another chance to compete for a national title. Obviously I still have aims to try and make it professionally in the US but if it doesn’t work out I’m looking to go into coaching“.
Q) Home for Christmas and plans?
JT: “Yeah im home for Chrismas. I haven’t been home for a while so it will be good to see my mates and my family again. Obviously a bit of drinking to be done but not too much we will see (ha ha)”
JONATHAN TAYLOR INTERVIEW 27 NOVEMBER 2006
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STEVE RICHARDSON (DURHAM)
 | STEVEN RICHARDSON has been one of the best players to represent Chester-le-Street youths. In 2003/04 he was just pipped for the Player of the Year Award by Gavin Stoker, played a fundamental role in a youth side that made non-league North of England history in reaching the last 32 of The F.A. Youth Cup and going out of the competition at a point when there were only 8 Premier League clubs still involved. He played every minute of all seven F.A.Youth Cup games and scored a fantastic free kick against Burscough in the 2nd Qualifying Round. The same year, Richardson won The F.A. County Youth Cup with Durham scoring in The Final at Middlesbrough’s Riverside ground. Whilst at Chester-le-Street he had trials with four professional clubs in just 12 months including Liverpool. Here is his interview:
Q) You scored the opening goal for Redheugh in a 2-0 League Cup Final win against Chester-le-Street just two months before you joined the club in time for the start of the 2003/04 season. It had been a terrible time for you injury wise with your broken ankle, did you have any idea of the 12 months that lay ahead when you played that day at Prudhoe Town?
Steve: “No idea what lay ahead of me after that game. I was focused on getting fit and playing as much football as I could and hopefully proving I was good enough to step up another level to the pro game”.
Q) Chester’s F.A. Youth Cup campaign got underway at Morecambe and it was probably one of the most exciting wins for the team in the tournament, not least the hardest against the non-league side. What are your personal memories of that trip to Blackpool and in particular playing in your first game in the F.A. Youth Cup?
Steve: “I think this is the game that made our season. Morecambe had a very good team and were massive favourites to win that game but we proved to ourselves and everyone else that we could compete at this level. I believe that this was our best performance of the cup run and the trip away definitely helped team spirit. Not going into too much detail but the bed collapsing in our room was easily the highlight of the trip apart from winning of course!”
Q) Andrew Muxworthy thought you were one of the club’s unsung heroes of the competition and possibly the most influential on ball player in the team. Statistics proved your combination with Robbie Houghton in central midfield was more effective than other people might have anticipated, which game did you enjoy the most and why?
Steve: “I don’t feel like I was the unsung hero. I was receiving praise throughout the cup run and I trialed with 4 pro clubs so I thought I was getting a lot of credit like the other lads. I feel my midfield partnership with Robbie definately isn’t one I anticipated as I came to the club as a centre forward but I feel Andrew did the right thing in moving me to centre midfield where he felt I could be most influential for the team. My most enjoyable game of the season had to be the home game against Port Vale. The game had everything”.
Q) Did you feel your partnership with Robbie Houghton in midfield at the time was a significant factor in the team’s success?
Steve: “My partnership with Robbie Houghton was more important to the team than a lot of people realised and I felt as though he was a unsung hero as he allowed players like myself to get on the ball and make things happen while he did the dirty jobs not getting noticed as much”.
Q) What were your best and worst memories of your games against Derby County and West Ham United?
Steve: “That’s an easy one my memories of Derby are very clear the game planned out exactly how we wanted it to. We won and we were the better team and also me falling over the advertising boards when we scored was quite funny to the rest of the lads. The West Ham game is still a blurr I felt we didn’t do ourselves justice and I felt the introduction of Curtis Taylor to the team didn’t help matters either”.
Q) You had some trials that season and ability wise were according to Andrew Muxworthy, good enough to make professional. What were you experiences and what was it like in particular to trial at Liverpool?
Steve: “Every trial I went to I thought I had a realistic chance of making it as I thought I had enough ability but unfortunately I never got that break I thought I deserved. The experiences really helped me and improved me as a player”.
Q) Sum up your best memories of the F.A. Youth Cup and F.A. County Youth Cups?
Steve: “The whole experiences were unbelievable and the crack with the lads is what I remember most”.
Q) You quickly progressed into the Northern League and made an immediate impact at Chester-le-Street before being snapped up by Gateshead. You eventually moved, and settled, at Durham City. Your best memories of your non-league mens football?
Steve: I have too many good memories to think of a couple is too hard. I’m enjoying my time at Durham at the moment and plan to stay there for a few years if I don’t get picked up but fingers crossed”.
Q) Six goals for Durham City last season, 20 so far this season. How are you enjoying your football this season? What parts do you like the most and what do you like the least?
Steve: “My football this season is going great. I’m scoring goals and enjoying the crack too. Durham in my opinion is the best non-league north east team you can play for so I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’ve played the majority of the time as a centre forward this season which i’m enjoying at the moment”.
STEVEN RICHARDSON INTERVIEW 27 FEBRUARY 2007
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CHRIS BASHAM (BOLTON)
 Chris Basham was at Chester-le-Street Town Youths for slightly less than a year. In that time he played for the youths, first team and he scored some cracking goals! Joining the club gave him a chance to link up again with Kris Thackray and Nicky Hindhaugh both of whom he played alongside at the Newcastle United. Known as Chester’s “singing centre half”. He left Chester-le-Street at the beginning of the 2006/07 to join Premiership Bolton Wanderers.
Here are ten questions put to Bolton Wanderers Chris Basham.
Q) You spent most of your time as a junior at Newcastle United. How long were you there for? What are your best memories of the club and describe how and why you were released?
Chris: “I spent seven years at Newcastle United and have great memories most of them when I was an under 14 when I was Captain and a that time I also got a call up to the under 19 squad where I played the last ever Match against Derby County at the Baseball ground. My best memory of Newcastle was the Swiss Tournament which we won and I played out my skin in every game - what a tournament! The main reason why I was released at 16 was my lack of height and development. There were other reasons such as not performing in games at a vital time in my contract. I don’t know if this was because of personal pressures or the teams general performance”.
Q) When you joined Chester-le-Street youths, you joined a club that also had Kris Thackray and Nicky Hindhaugh with them. Both Kris and Nicky finished youth football and moved to good opportunities – Kris into the pro-game with Reginna and Nicky to the United States on Scholarship. Do you think this scenario for you three proves that if your attitude is right and you have been with a club that the opportunities are genuinely still out there?
Chris: “That’s a hard question. Yeah, it’s is very very important that your attitude is top class and you still have that dream of becoming a professional footballer - the best job in the business! The opportunites are definitely out there but it becomes harder as you get older but keeping my mind focused on that dream helped me through as well as staying on the rails. The other two lads also had this motivation and courage but most of all the right attitude”.
Q) What was your best memory of being at Chester?
Chris: “There are some great memories of being at the best under 18s club in the north east. The winning of all those trophies was amazing, all the lads and backroom staff from Keith the physio to Fred the money man were great and that’s the reason why all my memories are still strong because of the great success.”
Q) And what was your best goal because you scored some crackers?
Chris: “I have 3 that stay in my mind and will do to this day. My free-kick against Ryhope from the way line when I saw the keeper off his line.. ping ha ha!; Dava’s (Ian Davidson’s corner against Darlington that I volleyed from the edge of the box.. .ping bar and in ha ha; and my bullet header in the pre-season win at Morecambe from Spark’s corner.”
Q): When you got the nod to sign for Bolton you told Andrew Muxworthy that you would still have played in the cup finals for Chester if you had been allowed. After lifting the Durham County Youth Cup with Kris Thackray, is that your genuine feeling?
Chris: “playing in that game knowing it was my last game in one of the biggest cup games at this age level I wanted to give it my all and that is why I was standing with my great mate holding the biggest trophy. I should of been Man of the Match there in my opinion ha ha by the way and I would have been if it wern’t for the goals scoring machine Liam ha ha”.
Q): Former Chester-le-Street Youth player Danny Graham (Middlesbrough) told Chester Manager Andrew Muxworthy in November “I’ve just played against one of your ex-players, Chris Basham, he is a canny little player”. What do you think of that?
Chris: “I don’t mind that at all it was nice to play against Danny as I knew he was talked about at Chester as a very good player! He proved that when I played him a few weeks back he has the respect to call me little even though nowadays I’m 6ft 3"
Q): So moving up to the present day. How have you settled in at Bolton? What do you like best about the place?
Chris “I have settled in great and am really enjoying it in every way. At 18 I was watching all the players like Gary Speed and Kevin Nolan on match of the day but now i have the honour to train with them every day. Its great and I would love to have a long term career down here even thought I miss my friends and home life. I love playing in games here and travelling with the first team.”
Q): Arguments rage over your best position. What are you: Defender or Midfielder?
Chris “I don’t have clue but I seem to play midfield for Bolton the most and I love it there so I would say there but I am the back up centre half ha ha … but from my own point of view, I like midfield as I can score goals and create things”
Q): What is your advice for any 16-18 year old who is genuinely good enough but hasn’t made it pro?
Chris: “My advice is do what I did but don’t work at McDonalds fast food. Go on a college sports course to keep up your fitness and playing a good standard of football and play for a top club like Chester-le-Street where you will play at a great standard and in competitions like the F.A. Youth Cup. Make sure you stay on the rails, never give up, keep focused and motivated and have FUN!! And.. on your lucky day you will do it”.
Q): What do you hope to achieve in the next 6 months?
Chris: “Ha Ha… that’s at the back my thoughts but I have a long-term goal at the end of this year and that is to have signed a new contract with Bolton. My other targets are to maintain playing well in the reserves, stay injury free and also to try and get in the first team squads again like I did at the start of the season where I was in the squad for the first six weeks”
CHRIS BASHAM INTERVIEW 2OTH NOVEMBER 2006
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CHRIS BASHAM (BOLTON) - 2007 INTERVIEW!
 IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE for Chester-le-Street Youth player Chris Basham when he signed as a trainee for Premiership Bolton Wanderers on the 1st July 2006. Now that dream has continued as last month the likeable Geordie signed professional forms with the Lancashire side. It is a year since Basham first did an interview for the youth team’s website (see Top 10 Interviews Page opposite) and at the time he highlighted winning a professional deal as his number one aim! Inside 12 months, he has done it and is now in the process of trying to impress Gary Megson - the club’s third senior team manager inside a year! Here’s another set of questions for the “daft as a brush” Geordie from Hebburn:
Q) Football in a minute but first of all what, if anything, do you miss most about the North-East and its people?
Chris: “Most of all it’s got to be the family and the house I lived in for 18 years. I miss my mates, going out in town, going to college and seeing them on the football pitch. I know this might not sound much but I also miss the Geordie accent but that's about it really. When I come home to the North-East I catch up with everyone and nothing seems to change with everyone doing pretty much as they were before”.
Q) You hardly got your feet through the door to The Reebok as a trainee and Bolton were pushing you out for senior team experience at Conference club Stafford Rangers. A month’s loan, five appearances, and a debut as a midfield substitution in a 3-0 reverse to Brighton & Hove Albion in The F.A. Cup. A good crowd too for a Conference club fixture: 5,741. What do you recall of that day?
Chris: “Going to Stafford Rangers was great experience because it gave me men's football at a high standard. That was the main reason Bolton sent me there for experience and playing over the Christmas period. Playing Brighton was very good but yet again I got knocked out the F.A Cup just like I’d did in theYouth Cup for Chester and it was heart breaking. I really enjoyed playing in front of Stafford fans they seemed to like me from day one but if we were getting beat we would get sum stick. I really enjoyed my loan and felt that I was good at that level”.
Q) You played centre-half and centre-midfield for Chester-le-Street. We have also seen you as a winger and striker for Bolton. What is the position that looks like its going to be the one for you now then?
Chris: “Well after virtually every position possible except goal, this year I have been playing centre midfield. With a lot of centre half's out on loan at the moment I am the back up for that position”.
Q) What have been your highs and lows of your first year at The Reebok?
Chris: “Well there isn't anything better than training with the 1st team. I never ever thought that it would happen but it virtually did straight away. Also being in the squad with the first team where you fly and stay in hotels. The biggest high has got to be putting pen to paper on a 3 year professional contract. My lows at Bolton are last year we got beat off Reading in a national final. That was horrible. It was at the Majeski stadium. Another low was the loss of two good managers in Sam Alladyce and Sammy Lee. This happens in football and we now have a new Manager to impress in Gary Megson and he has a good record. Hopefully no more lows to come”.
Q) It is interesting of the Newcastle / Bolton connection. Firstly, when you joined Wanderers you joined as an ex-Newcastle Academy player of seven years. Then your Manager Sam Allardyce departed for Newcastle and now your new Manager is an ex-Newcastle United midfielder. Hopefully he will take to you and you will make your senior debut in the months ahead…?
Chris: “Well I hope so. I don't think my senior debut is that far away but I need to keep training and playing well and hopefully it will come to me in the near future”.
Q) At about the time you called it a day with Chester, a few of the clubs other ex-players all went on to bigger and better things: first Kris Thackray to Reginna, then Liam Robertson to Georgia and finally Chris Hunter to Arizona. Other players went on to things also but those three you are particularly close to. You must be proud of all those lads getting such fantastic opportunities like yourself? It’s been a hectic time for you all.
Chris: “These were lads that I always wanted to do well and keep in touch with. By all accounts they are doing well. It was great when Kris got offered another year at Reggina its been well deserved for him. He’s the lad who has went through everything with me on football terms getting released, playing at Gateshead College, playing at Chester-Le- Street Town and now we are both playing for professional clubs. That is great for him and his family. Liam Robertson, the idol, the older one. So glad for him he worked so hard for this. Liam went to the gym more than Mike Tyson. He never gave up and look where it’s taken him – to America, where he’s playing at a good standard and the scouts love him. It’s great for Liam and I am glad for him because he’s a great player with excellent determination. Chris Hunter surprised me when he told me what was happening with his football. Firstly it’s great news that he had the courage to leave home and the deli station making pizza’s at Asda. Chris is different to Liam so that was a real surprise that he could leave home. I hope Chris is doing well in the States but no doubt I will see him after his college season and its great to see another talent from Chester-le-Street and The College move forward towards their dreams! WELL DONE LADS!”
Q) Finally, what’s your career aim now that you have signed that first pro-deal?
Chris: “Now that I’ve signed my contract, my next aim is to start playing for the first team but I am happy waiting for this opportunity and I am sure it will come”.
CHRIS BASHAM INTERVIEW 8TH NOVEMBER 2007
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KRIS THACKRAY (REGINNA)
 KRIS THACKAY was released by Newcastle United early in 2004 after seven years with the club.
In July 2004, the likeable 16 year old from Ouston Chester-le-Street joined the town's youth team and a month later enrolled on the Gateshead College Mens Football Development programme.
Thackray has always had dreams and ambition of becoming a professional footballer. Eventually he got the opportunity to live that dream in the unlikely surroundings of Southern Italy in the summer of 2006 when he joined Italian Serie A club Reginna on a two year deal.
The two seasons in between Newcastle United and Reginna were not wasted on an outstanding footballing talent who won 14 trophies: 8 with Chester-le-Street Youths, 5 with Gateshead College and 1 with Durham County FA Youths.
Thackray was the youngest ever Youth Team Captain at Chester-le-Street and led the club to 8 trophies in two seasons - a record trophy haul.
Not only that, he remains the only player in the history of the Durham County FA Youth Challenge Cup to captain a side to two successive cup final wins. Thackray also made half a dozen first team appearances at the club. At Gateshead College, Thackray was a member of the side that won the National Title in 2005/06 and also won the Northern Counties title with Durham FA and was a runner up with Durham FA in the FA County Youth Cup. This interview with Kris Thackray is well overdue for this website.
Q) Best place to start is usually the beginning but for the purpose of this interview it's at the end - to be precise - the end at Newcastle United. Tell us what was going through your mind at the time when you were told it was all over?
KRIS:"In those situations you kind of know its coming. People give you signals and you have a feeling inside about what you think is going to happen. When they actually tell you its hard! After 7 seasons at the club they decided it wasn't worth another two to see if I grew or improved. Still I thought being at Newcastle for all that time would give me a good base to start from and within a few weeks I would be signed with another club, but it doesn't work like that as I quickly found out. I had trials and was rejected by 7 clubs within 2 months. Thats when all the hard work began".
Q) You lifted eight winner's trophies in two seasons at Chester-le-Street and also were runners up in another cup - maybe too many games in too short a period of time. However, dealing with the wins and your role as team captain for two seasons; tell us your personal high'sť and your lows's?
KRIS: "My time at Chester was a general high because we were such a good team both years winning almost everything and to be Captain as well was brilliant. Playing in the first team in the FA Cup was a really good experience too , but winning the County Cup in the first season 3-2 with Liam Robertson scoring the winner at Dunston was a great night. It was a shame about Ian Davidson's red card. He still hasn't got his medal. The big low for me was not playing in the FA Youth Cup in the first season against Stockport. It was a good stage to prove myself at the time but I didn't get the chance. The next season we lost 5-4 on a penalty shoot out to Farsley Celtic after a 1-1 draw. I would of loved to of done well in that cup".
Q) Which players in both the 2004/05 and 2005/06 season at Chester-le-Street have you got memories of?
KRIS: "I can't name them all but I played with very good players for two years and I played with some of my best friends which makes the games a lot more fun and meaningful. Ian Davidson tough with a sweet left foot, Luke Kerry strong fast and scores goals for fun, Chris Basham - you could play him anywhere on the pitch and he would still play well with a smile on his face . Chris Wilson fastest player ever, Liam Robertson, I'll use Brysa's line "when Liam is on form its like having 12 men on the pitch , but when he's not it's like having 9". There are too many to mention but these are the one's I have the biggest memories of".
Q) If Durham had won The F.A. County Youth Cup in 2005/06 that would have been the biggest achievement of your non-league career. They got beat in a farcical situation. What do you remember of that day?
KRIS: "It was bad refereeing what cost us the result in the end but overall I think they were the better side. It was an important game for everyone in terms of experience. I've learned that these things happen so you must do your best not to put the result in the referees hands".
Q) Winning the National Champions Cup with Gateshead College would be the highlight of your time away from professional clubs. Share with us your thoughts on that experience?
KRIS: "It was the happiest team I've ever seen after the game. I think because we were a team of friends that we did so well. There was not one player who didn't fit in the group. We worked so hard in every game and deserved to win. We came back from 2-0 in the semi finals to win 3-2 then again in the final, it was amazing. Scoring the equalizer and getting man of the match was a bonus too. We all went out after the match and celebrated. I will be lucky if I play in a team like that again".
Q) And your thoughts on the moment that changed your life, that goal for England Colleges in Naples Italy?
KRIS: "Well being sub for the first two games after winning player of the tournament was really hard but I kept my head down and worked hard. I played well when I came on and showed a good attitude so they started me in the semi final against Poland. Playing reasonably well, just before half time I received the ball about 25 yards out and struck it as hard as I could with my left foot. It flew straight in the top corner I could not believe it. After the game my manager said "a Scout from Reggina wants you to go for a trial at the end of the week". I was over the moon, even though I didn't know anything about Reggina".
Q) So the opportunity to join Reginna but all of a sudden, Newcastle United, the club that told you they didn't want you were suddenly demanding compensation for your signature from the Italian side. It was very cheekyť of Newcastle United and it must have made you very angry as it could have wrecked your move. You must have been relieved when that mess was sorted out?
KRIS: "At the time you forget that football is a business and Newcastle United were only doing the right thing for themselves. When the clubs did sort it out in the end I was just glad to be going and beginning my journey.
Q) So you finally arrive in Reginna in late summer 2006. You have been there over a year now. Tell us first of all how you cope with the language and the culture of Southern Italy which is greatly different to the UK?
KRIS: "Coming into a world where you don't understand anything and nobody understands you was the hardest thing I have ever done. I felt I had to learn the language as quickly as possible because it's like you completely lose your personality. You cant speak, joke, join in games or even just watch televison. Learning the language was like anything you must study , listen and work hard and slowly but surely it will come. Now I am speaking well and understand almost everything. Rolling the R's is still a problem but I'll get there. The life style is relaxed, I eat pasta twice a day, it's always hot and everybody drives the way they want to. It's more or less how I imagined".
Q) What about where you are living? Tell us a bit about your surroundings and your living quarters?
KRIS: "I live in the academy I stay in a room with another boy, a Nigerian forward and we get a long very well. I've roomed with an Austrian , Albanian, Morrocan, Nigerian and two Italians. I've met so many different people and learned so much from them all . The experience that I have already had is priceless. It's kind of like a little hotel they do your washing, ironing. There is a canteen where we eat all our meals. Also staying with the other boys helps my Italian and keeps me learning. The city is 5 minutes on the bus and there are shops and restaurants to pass the time. Now an again I miss the metro centre but what can you do".
Q) What have you done in your first year on a football field with Reginna? What role are you playing and how are things progressing for you now?
KRIS: "I signed as a midfielder and trained for the first half of the season in midfield. After my first two games one of the two centre halves was let go and they tried me in his place and preferred me in that position. After that, I played 15 games in the league and lost none only taking one goal. This good run took us through to the next stage of the league where you play the qualified teams from the other leagues. We drew A.C Milan and beat them 1-0 at home then lost 2-1 away live on Sky, so we passed on away goals to meet Inter Milan in the quarter finals the last eight teams in Italy again on Sky. The biggest game of my life started well 0-0 at half time, then unfortunatly we lost 3-0 in the second half but still a good run. The best Reggina Youth team have ever done".
Q) What are your ambitions for the future with Reginna and football in general?
KRIS:"I have many ambitions and dreams but the only one at the minute is improving day by day and earning a professional contract".
Q) Do you see yourself returning to play professionally in the UK or do you feel more suited now to Italian systems and playing styles?
KRIS:"I just need to keep learning and improving all aspects of my game and hopefully when I'm in the position to make a decision on where I play I will make the right one".
Q) If you could change one thing about your footballing past, what would it be?
KRIS: "Nothing"
Q) Most people back home who know you will be delighted with your success. Do you miss home now or is it something that is far from your mind?
KRIS: " I miss home yes, my girlfriend, family and friends, just going to the pictures or doing normal things. But to be honest you can't think about these things. You must just think football. Well thats the way i've done it. In my situation and my age it's about sacrifices. Obviously I am really looking forward to Christmas ".
Q) What is Kris Thackray's advice to young people with potential to make a living out of the game?
KRIS: "Always do the right things. Be convinced that you will make it. Never give up. Train well and try constantly to keep improving and in my opinion the most important thing is personality on and off the field".
Q) Great to talk to you Kris. Hope you catch up with everyone soon?
KRIS: "Thanks very much. Ciao for now!"
KRIS THACKRAY INTERVIEW 18TH NOVEMBER 2007 |
DAVID WINSKILL (SHENANDOAH)
 DEFENDER DAVID WINSKILL played in a Chester-le-Street Youth side that won the Durham County Lomax League title, The Durham County Youth Cup, The Sunderland Eye Infirmary Cup and The League Cup in Season 2005/06.
The former Darlington youth defender had suffered a serious ankle injury just days after being told he would receive a YTS at the club and after a layoff of some 14 months, Andrew Muxworthy persuaded him to return to the serious business of football and join the club.
After a successful season with Chester-le-Street, the South Durham born player moved to Shenandoah University, Virginia, USA to play in the NCAA Third Division.
He has now been in the States since August 2006. The website caught up with David Winskill for an interview this week:
Q) You left Chester-le-Street as a right-back and The Hornets (Shenandoah University team) converted you to a midfielder. Tell us about your football experiences in your first few months Stateside and the change in your outfield role?
Dave: “My first few months here in the states was tough adapting to the lifestyle and having to go through a tough pre-season after the coach who recruited me resigned and we appointed a new one who I had never met. It was a great time though and I enjoyed the challenges that were put in front of me. The gaffa saw me as a more forward thinking player and thought I could bring more to the team from a role in midfield than in one from the back”.
Q) You played 14 games as a freshman in your first season starting 12 of them?
Dave: “My first season was great and although I felt like I wasn’t playing at the standard I knew I was capable of it was still a good time even though it was frustrating. I was meeting new people and learning a totally new style of football so it was a great experience and learning curve for me”.
What is the University life like and what would you say to players in the UK considering going to America?
Dave: “The life style out here is second to none and I would recommend it to any one who was considering it. I would however tell people that they need to be mature and strong enough to get through the hard times like when things go wrong at home or when you get home sick but if your strong enough to work through those times then I guarantee you will never look back and you will have the time of your life”.
You earned All-Tournament honors at The John Carroll Tournament. Could you tell us a little about that?
Dave: ”Yeah the John Carroll tournament was up in Ohio and was a pre-season tournament we played in with a couple of very good teams that were ranked nationally. It was the beginning of a new season and I went into it wanting to prove a point to get over a disappointing first year and also wanting to set the tone for the rest of the season ahead. As it turned out I played really well in that tournament and the right back playing behind me who is a lad from Australia and myself both got all-tournament honours. It was a great start to what turned out to be a really frustrating second year”.
How did you second season go Stateside?
Dave: ”As I just mentioned my second year over here started out really well with the all-tournament honours then with a couple of goals and assists but unfortunately I suffered from a rotated vertebrae in my neck 5 games in which kept me out for most of the season. Then once the doc cleared me from that in my first game back I scored a free kick to make us qualify for the conference tournament and then in a friendly before conference I fractured a metatarsal and that put me out for the rest of the year. Overall there were some positives to take from the season but it was very frustrating for me”.
What are the parties like and have you made good friends?
Dave: ”The parties are quality and I have made some great friends over here from all over the world not just America. I will definitely stay in touch with them”.
Do you keep in touch with any of the other ex-Chester-le-Street youth players that are in America – particularly the likes of Nicky Hindhaugh from Killingworth and Chris Hunter from South Shields, with whom you played in the same Chester-le-Street team?
Dave: ”At first we spoke but over time we havn’t really spoke at all. I do however talk to Jonathan Taylor who is down in Florida and was at Chester a couple of years before I was”.
What is the academic side of life like in Shenandoah?
Dave: ”The academics at Shenandoah are really good and although there is a lot of fun to have over here I find if you manage your time well and dont let your academics get affected by parting then they kind of just take care of themselves as long as you study”.
If you could change one thing about your time in the USA what would it be?
Dave: ”I probably would have held out for another year before making my decision to come here and made sure that I picked the right school for me as I am transferring to Lander University in South Carolina in August this year”.
What teams do you follow Stateside?
Dave: ”I tend to follow DC United because I only live 45 minutes from downtown DC so I have been to a few of there games. I’m a Washington Capitals fan aswell, they are a hockey team and you have got to like the Dallas Cowboys football team just for their cheer leaders!”
How does life in the USA differ to back home?
Dave: “Life is very different here, I have become much more independent since moving here and I find I am learning new things everyday. As a student you get a lot of spare time on your hands and to be honest with this life style I cant complain about a thing!”
Do you miss playing at Chester-le-Street?
Dave: “Yeah I do Chester was fun and after winning all those trophies how can you not miss it? I don’t miss getting up on a Saturday to play in the freezing cold rain though!!
And your memories…..?
Dave: “Memories of Chester have got to be our pre-season trip away up in Morcambe and Gretna, we have some stories to tell from that night out and definitely the game on the FA Youth cup against Faresley Celtic will always be a sour memory in the back of my head unfortunately. Lifting all them trophies are all good memories though”.
When are you back home?
Dave: “Once uni finishes I’m off on holiday in Arizona for a bit so I wont get back until the 23rd of May”.
What are your plans for next season?
Dave: “Next season is going to be a new chapter for me. I just accepted a new scholarship at Lander University who are DII and are ranked 11th Nationally so I am looking forward to going there and taking on the new challenges they have for me whilst hopefully staying injury free”!
Finally.. this seasons Chester-le-Street Youth Team has secured the Durham County Cup. What advice have you got for the team for the remainder of the season?
Dave: “I would just tell the lads to keep doing what there doing and not to get complacent. Treat every game like a cup final and work hard and by the end of the season they will be lifting as many trophies as I was lucky enough too. To finish I would just like to thank Muxy for finding me and getting into my head after I broke my leg. I was going through a time when I was done with football and I have him to thank for changing my mind set and for giving me this opportunity that I am relishing right now. Cheers Mux and GOOD LUCK for the rest of the season lads”.
DAVID WINSKILL INTERVIEW 24TH APRIL 2008
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