Stockport – 3rd March 09
A bit about you:
Name: Des Hinks Jnr
Current home town: Stockport Birthplace: Stockport
How long have you supported your team? Well I'm 24 years old at the moment, so this is my 23rd season watching County!
Overview of your club:
Favourite thing about your home ground: I think 'character' is quite a topical word at the moment. There has been a lot of talk regarding a new stadium recently, mainly because Sale Sharks actually own Edgeley Park at the moment as well as all the conference and banqueting facilities so to secure the future of the club financially we really need a ground where all the income goes to us.
I mention the word character because it's one thing I love about Edgeley Park. I'm not a fan of these new flat pack football grounds from Ikea and it worries me that a new ground would end up like Shrewsbury, Colchester, Oxford and the rest of them. Boring and soulless. A pitch surrounded by four identical stands. Or three, in Oxford's case. I don't want to lose the atmosphere that Edgeley Park has. The ground has a lot of character and when the Cheadle End (big stand behind the goal) is in full voice it does generate a superb atmosphere. Ideally, Sale will bugger off and leave us to it but I can't see that happening in the near future
Favourite match played by your team & why: This is a very tough question and I've always struggled to actually name my best ever game. One match just shades it, though. It was back in December 1999 when we won 2-1 at Maine Road in the old First Division. Not a fluke result or anything. County were in the play-offs at the time and although we went a goal down just after half time, we were fantastic in the second half. Alan Bailey equalised for us, before we won the game in the last few minutes. A ball was played back to Nicky Weaver who decided to try and beat our striker for some reason and as he lost the ball, our striker headed for goal before being pushed in the back. Tony Dinning side footed the resulting penalty, in front of 3,000 County fans. It was a memorable night. I hate Manchester City with a passion but I loved Maine Road as a ground and the atmosphere on that Tuesday night was electric. To win the game in the manner that we did was unbelievable.
Favourite player of all time who played for your club: Super Kevin Francis. The man who did more than most to put County on the footballing map in the early 90's. Our 6'7'' striker who opposing defences hated playing against. He went on to score over 100 goals for the club and genuinely loved the club and the fans. And the fans loved him. It was a commom myth that he was just there to put the ball in with his head but two thirds of his goals were with his feet.
About our forthcoming match against you:
Your favourite current player in your squad and why? I'm a big fan of Gary Dicker who, in my opinion, is quite underrated at County. Our central midfielder who we signed from Irish side UCD. He brings a calming influence to the midfield and never seems to put a foot wrong. He always finds a blue shirt with a pass, breaks up a lot of opposing attacks and for some reason he always seems to brush opponents off the ball despite him not being the biggest of players. Consistent performer for us.
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? A number of our top players have been sold in order to pay the tax man. I'll say our Welsh international goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams. Because even if County don't play well, he could still keep your attackers at bay. His reputation is enhancing game by game at the moment and has had a number of top level scouts watching him.
Player in our squad you most fear and why? Probably Steve Howard. We have quite a young defence and someone like Howard could cause them a few problems if he's up for a physical battle which he usually seems to be.
Up and coming prospect in your squad? Oli Johnson has broke into the team recently who we signed from a non-league club at a very low level but he's looking like one to watch out for. Still a bit rough round the edges but he's started to score goals and does look a threat when he's running at defenders.
Where do you think you’ll finish this season? My heart says we're going to make the play-offs again, mainly because I'd love to enjoy the experiences of last May again. Two tense semi final games with Wycombe, one of which sparked a pitch invasion in the away game when Stephen Gleeson hit an unstoppable volley to level the game, and a Wembley win against Rochdale.
We've lost too many players this season, though, and being realistic we won't sustain this challenge for the rest of the season. I think we'll finish 9th or 10th. With the off field worries we have at the moment, though, I'd quite happily take a defeat in every game for the rest of the season as long as we still have a club in place for next season. We've got a £250,000 tax bill to settle by the middle of May.
How do you think you’ll do against us? I can't see us getting much on Tuesday night to be honest. I'll go for 2-0 Leicester, with a goal in each half.
Any other comments? Might not be a popular comment but please can you scupper your promotion bid, just for another season. Leicester seems to be a quality place for a good drink so I want to have a Saturday day out there 🙂