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an interview with club captain steve stott:
August 1998: Martin Baker (aka Badger) conducted this interview with captain Steve Stott at the start of the 1998/99 league season.
An edited verson appeared in the match programme for the home league game against Hednesford on 22nd August 1998.
Captain's Log |
During the summer you went on tour with the Middlesex Wanderers to the Far East along with Kevan Brown. How did that come about, and how did it go?
The Middlesex Wanderers AFC was founded in 1905 as a touring side with the intention of "promoting good fellowship among the football and other sporting organisations throughout the world." Since then it has toured 105 times to 42 different countries. The team is selected from semi-professional football throughout the UK by a committee, and I have been fortunate enough to be selected on the last two tours.
This summer's tour was a great success both on and off the pitch. That we are ambassadors for our countries is a very important part of the Middlesex Wanderers ethic, and this was upheld by everybody on the tour as usual. We are able as players to see cultures and sights in countries that we would probably never visit but for these tours. Although the atmosphere is very relaxed, we still want to do well on the pitch and it is testimony to how quickly the lads gelled together that we were able to beat Brunei's national team 2-1 and draw with Myanmar's national team 1-1.
The stadiums were superb, and there were large crowds at both games, the second being shown live on national TV in Myanmar. The results were more impressive when you consider the heat and humidity we were playing in and we even had a "monsoon" in the second game for about 20 minutes with rain heavier than I have seen before. All in all it was quite an experience!
Since then Yeovil have brought in several new players. In what departments do you think we are now a stronger team?
I think that to win anything at this level a club must have a strong squad. With injuries and increasing suspensions it is important that the players that are brought in can slot straight into the team, and have the quality to perform at Conference level.
Colin has brought in quality players that will give us a squad of about 18 that will hopefully provide a successful season for Yeovil Town F.C.
A good squad with competition for places within the right atmosphere will lead to a stronger team on the pitch so I think we are better in all departments because of that.
Having played for several sides at Conference level, how do you feel about the current paradox in football where we have the Conference wanting to add an extra national division, whilst the Third Division is considering regionalisation?
With the Third Division struggling to maintain the viability of their full-time status against the comparative boom being experienced at the top of the semi-professional game, I can understand the motives behind the two scenarios being proposed.
However, I think the answer lies in a merging of the Third Division and the Conference into two regional leagues, North and South. This would take the pressure off teams in the Third Division who really can't afford to be full-time and provide a better environment for the more progressive Conference sides who aspire to greater things.
Regarding last season, do you have any theories as to the strong difference between our home and away form and how we could improve the latter?
This is a really tough one. To be honest I'm not sure what the answer is, and I know Colin agonises over this one as well.
It may be that we need to look at a different formation or even personnel for away games. It may just take a couple of good away results to produce a more positive approach. One thing is sure, the away results need to improve if we are going to challenge for honours next season so we will be working hard to put this right.
[As it turns out, the away form was superb, but the home form deteriorated! - Ed].
You were appointed club captain in February 98 succeeding the popular Micky Engwell. How did it feel to be given that responsibility at the time?
It was, and still is, a great honour to captain Yeovil Town, especially to succeed someone like Micky who did such a great job for the club.
I have captained Bromsgrove and Rushden occasionally through injuries or suspension of the club captain and have been fortunate enough to be made club captain at both Kettering and Yeovil.
What responsibilities do you think that entails?
The responsibilities obviously include leadership and organisation on the pitch , but also include representing the players views where appropriate and providing a channel of communication between players and management/directors when required.
Just after you were made captain you seemed to pick up a few bookings - was that coincidence or a slight case of over-enthusiasm?
I try not to let the captaincy negatively effect my performances, but if what you say about bookings is correct I may not be doing too good a job of that!
How different is Colin Lippiatt to Graham Roberts in his managerial style? There seems to be a lot of similarities in the ideas going on the pitch, would you agree? Are things done differently off the pitch?
While the two managers have different personalities they both share an astounding passion for the game and the job that they are or were doing. Graham brought Colin to the club in the first place so it is not surprising that their views on the way to play are similar.
Things are not so different off the pitch as Colin was coaching us for most of last season anyway and was already having a major influence on the team and the way we play.
At the start of the season, do you lay yourself down any personal targets or team targets?
My personal targets are to play well, stay free of injuries all the usual stuff, but the team target is the most important thing. The team targets are promotion to the football league, winning the FA Trophy and having a good FA Cup run and if we can do all those my personal targets can take a back seat.
Who do you think will be the teams to beat if we are to stand a chance of a good season?
I think the teams to beat will be Stevenage, Morecambe, and Rushden.
And finally ...... (just for the hell of it) ...... "The Simpsons, or Beavis and Butthead ?" Hey, who said no dumb questions?!
D'Oh! you are talking to a huge Simpsons fan so no contest there!
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