SALISBURY City's player/coach Tommy Widdrington is put on the spot as supporters set the questions for this month's Ask Nick column.

Questions for next month's feature should be directed to skipper Aaron Cook - send them by email to mike.turner@salisburyjournal.co.uk to arrive no later than noon on Friday, October 12.

Here's Tommy...

Q. As a youngster were you just good at football or did you have the chance to make it in other sports?

A. "I did cross country at school/district and county level but only because I got picked! I wasn't interested in anything else!"

Q. We all know you're from the Newcastle area, but did you ever get the chance to play for your home town team?

A. "Only after Southampton had offered me a two-year apprenticeship/YTS.

"As I had been with Saints for nearly two years by then on Associated schoolboy forms, my dad told them where to go as I had been playing in their backyard as it were for years!"

Q. How did a Geordie boy like you start your career at Southampton?

A. "Southampton used to have a Centre of Excellence based in the north east at that time, and an extensive scouting network too including 'The Legend' Jack Hixon which harvested the likes of Steve Davis, Neil Maddison myself oh and I nearly forgot ........Alan Shearer, who all went on to play in Saints' first team and then on to have decent careers in league football.

"We trained up there on a Monday evening at Gateshead International Stadium and spent most of the school holidays being assessed down in Southampton."

Q. Of all the 92 league grounds that you played on during your career, which did you always like playing on and why?

A. "When playing in the Premier League you tend to treat each away ground as just another ground, but as I moved through the leagues I realised how fortunate I'd been to play at the likes of Old Trafford, Highbury, Anfield etc.

"However, I'll never forget playing at 'The Real' St James Park and getting stick from my own friends and family!

"The Dell will always remain a favourite as during my Dell days it really did become a fortress against the big boys."

Q. Who was the best manager/coach you played under, and who has influenced your own coaching style the most?

A. "Alan Ball was the first manager to really show faith in me by starting a season with me in the side. He was such a football enthusiast and still good enough to join in training as long as it was limited to two-touch.

"Chris Turner signed me at Hartlepool and I feel the type of training he introduced me to has helped me in my methods here at Salisbury.

"Brian Horton saw fit to sign me three times at two different clubs, but Dave Merrington, who was my youth team coach, then later reserve and first team manager at Saints probably left the biggest impression on me in football.

"He used to to strike fear into some lads with his booming voice, but if you could handle the volume and digest the sense he would bring out the best in you. With him as the youth team coach I reckon Saints produced more home grown talent than any other club in the country at that time!"

Q. Any regrets about shortening your own playing career in the Football League to join Salisbury?

A. "I never regret any decisions I make in football or in life. The latter is too short for that."

Q. Is your job as coach easier or harder now that you have many of the players in on a full-time basis?

A. "You could say both! When Salisbury were approached by a club last season for my services I said to Nick and the directors the only thing Salisbury couldn't offer me at the time was training on a full-time basis.

"Now of course that has changed and I couldn't be in a happier working environment. The lads who have joined us on a full-time basis have coped well with the transition and hopefully they will continue to progress as individuals. I now have the majority of the players almost every day whilst the lads who are part-time train with the pros on a Tuesday and Thursday evening (games permitting).

"It just means I have to schedule the pros' training for mid-afternoon on those days which is quirky, but not a problem."

Q. How frustrating was it to miss out on much of last season because of your injury?

A. "Very. However I had every confidence in the lads. I was also very proud of them both at the end of the two cup runs and of course that memorable day in May!"

Q. Even in the space of just a couple of months we've seen a real difference in the players who have turned pro with the club. Robbie Matthews for example seems to have come on in leaps and bounds. How much is that down to coaching, or is just that players are fitter from training every day?

A. "Without singling out individuals I think all of the boys that are now full-time would say there is something they have improved in their game.

"I must say it's not just extra training that makes you better it is correct practise/repetition. I can encourage the lads into good habits on and off the field more if i see them six times a week than if I only see them twice! Now we employ them we basically can keep a little closer eye on their whereabouts too!

"Most are definitely fitter, for example Robbie would have struggled to play nine full games in a row last season, whereas Mike Fowler has dropped at least three dress sizes - I mean inches - from his waist! I'm working on his hat size now!"

Q. How's your own fitness/injury situation these days. Will we see you in a City shirt this season?

A. "Up until the end of the Rushden game I was probably within a week of being back involved in the 16. I now can't do any contact stuff for four weeks which has put me back a little.

"My knee does need reconstructing (like Michael Owen) however, with the work I've been doing it may be that I can put the big op off until such time when I hang the boots up.

"I'd rather have it go pop on the pitch than to concede it's all over without trying.

"It would take 9-12 months for me to recover from the operation and that would make me almost 37, and whilst that is only a number I know that unless I could really compete I wouldn't embarrass myself or the club by trying to do it just for me.

"So hopefully you will see me in a city shirt again this season - I'll be the loud one with number 13 on my back!"

Q. Do you think allowing Paul Sales to return to Eastleigh might prove costly? If we get any injuries or suspensions do we still have enough options up front?

A. "Paul quickly assessed that he probably would've spent some time on the bench this season as mobility is a must for a striker in this league. So he was asked if he was interested in the move, and then chose to move on.

"We would never stand in the way of any of the lads if they felt it was the right time to leave, as long as it was right for the club too.

"I would say how appreciative we all are to Paul for all he helped us achieve over the last two years - he was literally immense.

"I also think Robbie has learned a lot from seeing how Paul played the game and we are beginning to reap those rewards.

"Salesy knows he will always be welcomed by players, staff and fans here at the Ray Mac.

"As for depth in forward areas we know what Mooncat, Tubbsy and Marvin are about but we also have Andy Sandell, Liam Feeney, Luke Prince and Luke Oliver who can operate in a central attacking role."

Q. If you had the choice what would you prefer from this season - mid-table security with a good FA Cup and Trophy run, or a play-off place and exiting both FA competitions early?

A. "As long as we are in with a chance in all the competitions we enter, we'll do as well as we can in each. How many times have you heard us saying we only look at the next game after the previous one is finished?"

2:00pm Wednesday 19th September 2007

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