Concord Rangers: The Battle to Stay Up.

Let's start with a quiz question.  Look at the above picture, taken at the end of the 2015/2016 season. How many of those player's still play for Concord?  I'll answer it for you. It's four.  Therein lies the problem of Concord's current season. Yes playing at the Conference South level with the lowest budget in the league does come with difficulties, but for a team of Concord's size to constantly be losing player's through transfers, or long term injuries it's going to have an effect eventually.

Since I've followed Concord thing's have generally been on an upward curve.  The success of the Danny Cowley years, followed by an excellent first season in charge by Adam Flanagan. But this season, oh this season.  Where to begin? Let's go back to the picture. Ben Greenhalgh and Lewis Taaffe two key components in 2015/2016, spirited away by other clubs. Tom Stephen the supporter's player of the year last season - did his ACL in pre-season. Out for the season. The goalkeeper, Ben McNamara, he won the Chairman's Player of the Season in 2015/2016. Now not being horrible to Ben, but I don't know what happened to him in the Summer, it's like his twin brother turned up at Concord at the start of this season. Ben's now left the club.

Concord hover just outside the relegation zone, having played more games than their rivals, but what remains at Concord is probably the key to their survival. Whilst Concord have lost player's left, right and centre through one mean's or another. The Concord heart still remains. "I've never been involved in a situation such as the one we are in now, but I do know through speaking with others and being around football long enough what it takes to get through a period that we're experiencing at the moment" said club stalwart Steve King "We need to ensure we work hard on the training pitch firstly, and then on matchday we must be determined to win our individual battles on the pitch. If we can do that, the team has enough quality to get ourselves out of the mess we find ourselves in" confirmed Steve, when I asked him how Concord work their way out of this sticky situation.

What Concord do you have through Steve, and the captain James White are individuals who will run through walls for Concord, they're not the only two, but it's their voices you can hear loudest on a Saturday afternoon, "For me, as skipper, I've got to keep the group close and make sure your willing to help your mate out on the pitch. This is no time for individuals now." said Whitey. Now that team ethic runs deep in Concord, it always has done.  Actually from the player's on the pitch, to the people behind the bar, to the volunteers who give up their precious time on a weekend to help the club, everyone pulls in the same direction. But what about those people who pay to watch the matches, now admittedly there's not many of them, but I tell you what, they don't moan or boo at the team during the match, unlike some "bigger" teams supporters. I won't name those team's supporters here, it would be wrong (I will it's Ebbsfleet and Chelmsford). "A club the size of Concord depends on everyone, there a few that keep the club ticking over constantly, however everyone is important, we are going through a difficult phase and want the staff and supporters to keep faith that we do care about the club and the league we are in. Everything is put on to help us, so there can be no excuses from the players, we need to perform to the qualities that Concord are known for" again James White, see the skipper of the club, knows exactly what everyone feels.

Now I don't think I would be writing this blog, if it wasn't for one thing.  You see, Concord have dropped, I say dropped, lost is better.  Concord have lost 8 points from goals conceded in the 88th minute or later in games this season.  That has happened across 5 matches this term. You'd expect it happening maybe once or twice in a season as that's football, but 5 times. You're sitting there thinking of "for fucks sake". That's the fan's view, but how about the player's, again Steve King "There's no clear reason why this happens. When it starts to happen you put it down to bad luck and not having the rub of the green, but ultimately it's a desire or concentration issue. At this level you need to have 100% focus every second of the game or you will be punished. Added to that you need to want to die for the cause whether it be getting on the end of a delivery to score a goal, or throw your body on the line to block a goal bound effort defensively, which as a team we haven't been doing well enough."

Concord still have sixteen games to play this season, so there is plenty of time left for them to dig themselves out of the hole they find themselves in, but are the player's confident?  I'll leave the final word to firstly Kingy. " I'm confident, there is a lot of quality in the changing room. We just need to get the mental side of things right and once we put a couple of results together I'm certain we will be fine."

Secondly the Captain James White, boomed out this statement. It gets the heart pumping this. "Yes, being honest now if any player in the side has committed to relegation, then please leave the club. There is a lot of football to be played and I can guarantee we will all fight for the right to play in this league next season."


#YAMC.

Concord Rangers - The Fans Eye View

Having spoken to a number of players and management staff about what it means to play/work for Concord Rangers, I felt it was time to get to the heartbeat of any football club and speak to the fans about what Concord Rangers means to them.

I spoke with the following, and we discussed a variety of subjects, some spoke more than others. Also Steve King's arse does not come out well in this chat...

Interviewees

Andy Smith (AS), Alan Jessop-Peacock (AJP), Gary Bracci (GB), Mark Tate (MT) and Lewis Pack (LP).

What does supporting Concord Rangers mean to you?

(AS) - I was invited over to do some media work a few years ago and this soon turned into something much bigger, I've had the privilege of training with these guys, going on nights out, and turning the bus into a nightclub with Miki as the DJ on the way home from away games! I'm having such a laugh being involved even if it's just taking a few match pictures, filming a few games and helping do some website work.  It's a great club with great people involved and with that said it manes a hell of a lot be involved, it's something other clubs cannot offer.

(AJP) - It's all about being a part of the club, not just a number in the stands like I feel when I go to see West Ham, but actually being a part of Concord Rangers as a whole.  You feel like you're part of something bigger, and can actually contribute to the success of the club.  I started watching Concord nearly 6 seasons ago on a whim, now they're the main focus of my weekend!

(GB) - Supporting Concord means a hell of a lot me.  I started supporting the team after becoming disillusioned with the way Southend United were handling their financial affairs, the new stadium that has been going on for about 10 years, and the way the majority of the team was made up of loanees rather than contracted players, this coincided with the ridiculous stranglehold Sky have over the Premier League which effectively has ruined the national team, it's probably safe to say I was losing my passion for the game as a whole.  That was until I started watching Concord, I'm not the first person to say it and certainly won't be the last in that when you go to Thames Road just a handful of times you can see what the club means to everyone there and just by giving continued support you become part of the club and not just a body through the turnstile.  Players, management, coaches, chairman and committee members recognise the support and all go out of their way to keep the welcoming feeling that surrounds the club.

(MT) - Quite simply for me, it's two words.  Pride and passion.

(LP) - It means an awful lot! The club is like another family whenever you go to watch a game.  Since I've been able to go to most games a couple of years ago I have been so welcomed by everyone at the club from the fans, the committee, management and players which makes it a joy to go to every week.

What has been the highlight of supporting Concord Rangers so far?

(AS) - Being sat pitch-side taking pictures at the Ryman Play off final vs Lowestoft, no-one can describe the pandemonium at the full time whistle and sitting there with a camera pointing at the dug-out ready for the celebrations to start was amazing. 3000 odd fans were there that day, and the noise at full-time was incredible.

(AJP) - The promotion season, well more specifically the Ryman Premier Play-off Final vs Lowestoft. Our second game of the season was a trip to Lowestoft on a Tuesday night that we lost 4-1, I remember the coach journey home being long and really downbeat, but little did we know we'd be back in the last game of the season to win promotion! The day of the final was incredible, finally beating them after a run of losses home & away over the previous season. The atmosphere was awesome and celebrating on the pitch at full time with the lads was an experience I'll never forget.

(GB) - For me I've only been supporting the club for 4 seasons, and only been a regular for 3 of those, but without a doubt the highlight has to be winning promotion from the Ryman Premier League against a team who on aggregate had pretty much annihilated us (Lowestoft).  I know the committee will probably have bigger highlights from the earlier years but in my time here that play-off final was beyond measurement when you look at the size of Concord, one of the favourites to be relegated and had the smallest budget in the league.  That season and day in particular will forever be spoken about, when you look at it's ridiculous what has been achieved so far.

(MT) - Getting to the 1st round of the FA Cup, without a doubt.

(LP) - Obviously promotion from the Ryman Premier into the Conference South was a massive achievement for the club but I wasn't able to be there on the day, so for a game I've been to it has to be the away game at Mansfield this year in the FA Cup.  It was such a special night for everyone associated with the club and to take a league club to a replay have chances to win the game was superb.  People started realising who Concord were finally!!

What was the match of last season for you?

(AS) - Everyone was slating our pitch, and to be fair it was in a bad way after a load of games and some bad weather, but the way we destroyed Farnborough at home 7-0, some of the football was top class, with some brilliant goals scored.

(AJP) - The first round proper of the FA Cup away at Mansfield.  The original game was postponed due to the waterlogged pitch whilst I was in New York, so I was able to actually get to the re-arranged fixture and see the lads in the most high profile game in the clubs history.  The support we had on that Tuesday night wasn't the biggest, but we were the loudest by far, the players all put in one hell of a  shift and earning the draw was an impressive result.  The replay may have had 1500 people at Thames Road, but that Tuesday nigh trip to Mansfield was something special.

(GB) - Now there's a tricky one, the 4-2 win against Wealdstone was big for me as we have developed somewhat of a rivalry against them and they are always a tough team to beat.  The FA Cup win against St Albans to send us into the 1st round proper for the first time in the clubs history was huge, again in the FA Cup the 1-1 draw with Mansfield was massive as it brought a lot of attention to the club from around the country and in truth Mansfield were lucky to get away with a draw, my point is proven when their own supporters were saying how much they enjoyed watching us play and gave the team a standing ovation at the final whistle - spine tingling moment that was.  For me though the highlight was retaining the Essex Senior Cup in a performance that blew Billericay away.  I was nervous leading up to the game something that I rarely feel with Concord, and the club had just missed out on a play-off spot after losses you started to wonder if the players were in the right frame of mind to play such a final, it seems they were more up for it than expected!

(MT) - That's a tough question, as there have been so many.  Personally for me I'd go for us beating Bromley at their place 2-1, especially when the week before we had lost 4-1 to them at home.

(LP) - You can take your pick out of so many last season! The Mansfield game, the Essex Cup win, and the 6-2 win away at Barnet in the FA Trophy.  That was a fantastic night! Not many people would have ever called that result when the draw was made.  But for me the away win at Havant on a cold Tuesday night in January and the home win against Ebbsfleet were great games for the club.  There are certain people and clubs which don't think Concord should be competing in this league, but those two wins showed no matter the size of the opposition, Concord can compete and get results!

What player sums up the Concord Rangers spirit (past or present)?

(AS) - That's a tough one, I'm going to say Lewis Taaffe, his work-rate is exceptional.  He's had a couple of knocks but keeps running his socks off, and that's what everyone likes in a player, someone who works so hard for the team.

(AJP) - I have a feeling most will say Nicky Cowley here, but I'm going to throw a curveball and say Steve King.  The ginger meathead is loyal to a fault, and will continue to put in 100% week after week.  The fact that he's a fireman and regularly misses/loses sleep etc to ensure he gets to games, highlights his dedication to the cause.  He's solid at the back, adds an important goal or two with that meat-head at set pieces, he's a constant at the club, always coming back harder after missing a game through injury etc.

(GB) - I think there are many players who warrant a lot of credit to how Concord have progressed and it is them who have set the tone for how the club operates, but for me there are two players that come to my mind in particular:
Stokesy - the guy bleeds Concord colours and leads by example, calm head and will never give anything but 100% in training or a match.
Nicky Cowley - ferocious on the pitch in which the passion he had for the club rubbed off onto other players around him.  I remember him screaming at Leon Gordon for not getting back into position quick enough after the ball had gone out for the oppositions free kick, that was Nicky all over, he expected full on commitment from the first whistle to the last.

(MT) - Two for me, past and present.  Nicky Cowley with his never say die attitude, he just gave it his all.  Presently it's Alex Woodyard, he's got a great match-awareness and also runs his socks off.

(LP) - I think this is very hard to be able to give to one player, as every player comes to the club and buys into the spirit of the team, and that spirit is throughout the club!

What is your favourite Concord Rangers goal?

(AS) - Taylor Miles vs Chelmsford City no doubt about it.

(AJP) - Ben Greenhalgh's free kick in the Ryman League Cup Final vs Dulwich Hamlet.  I remember being behind the goal, and I think it was Jack Jnr who said "this is going in". He wasn't wrong either, Ben hit it so cleanly, the free kick was an absolute peach, sailed into the net and sent us all into raptures behind the goal!

(GB) - My favourite goal? I've got a list of em!!
Ben Greenhalgh's free kick against Dulwich was a beaut.
Cawley's chip against Weston Super Mare was delightful.
Stokesy's goal against Maidenhead was class.
Taylor Miles' volley versus Chelmsford...stunning!

(MT) - It's got be Leon Gordon's winning goal in the play off final against Lowestoft, what a day that was.

(LP) - In terms of quality it has to be Taylor Miles goal against Chelmsford last season, work commitments meant I couldn't watch it live, but after seeing numerous videos, I couldn't stop watching it. It was a moment of pure quality.

What player are you hoping has a big season next season?

(AS) - Tony Stokes.  He's not had the best of luck with injuries in the last couple of seasons, but now he's got himself in great shape and is fitter than he's been in 3 years.  I really hope he has a good season and bangs a few more goals in.  He has always scored important goals for us and I really hope that continues, well if he isn't injured with a sore toe nail!

(AJP) - Stokesy.  After injury affected him in our first Conference South season, and last year's lack of first team action behind Taaffe and Cawley, it's about time we see the club captain start the season well and notch up the goals we know he can contribute to the side.  Tony's a senior member of this side now, and will want to lead from the front, we know he can do it, and I hope this season is a big one for him.

(GB) - Tony Stokes simple as that, he was a frustrated figure last season spending a lot of time on the bench.  Danny Cowley didn't seem to consider Stokesy to be capable of being a starter but as a manager you have to make bold decisions and at the end of the day regardless whether it pleases some and upsets others, Danny is a bloody good manager who helped make last season Concord's best ever.  But now there's a new manager and new coach which gives players a fresh start of claiming a place in the team, Stokesy is a proven goalscorer who plays for his team-mates, and his performance in the Essex Senior Cup was typical of him, he grumbled a bit last year, so if he's going to be a starter he needs to put to bed last year's personal disappointments.

(MT) - It would be great to see our new keeper Conor Gough have a great season between the sticks.

(LP) - Stop asking questions, I can't nail down to one player! I can think of a few players who will be looking to have a big season for different reasons.  Stokesy will be looking for an injury free season, and hoping to get some goals.  I'll be interested in seeing Ben Greenhalgh back, I think he could be a key player with a point to prove to Maidstone.  I think Kingy can have a big season for us also, losing Matt Fry and Jack Lampe are massive losses, but I have can see Kingy having a great season and leading us through some key moments.

Saying all that, what are realistic ambitions for Concord Rangers this season?

(AS) - I hope we can get to where we finished last season and fight for a top 8 finish.  I've been over training a few times watching and the players that have come in all look great additions, and I'm sure Adam and Jody will get the best out of everyone and get that winning mentality out of everyone involved in the club.

(AJP) - I think the Essex Senior Cup is within our reach again, it's a cup that we have shown we can win, and providing we focus on it as we have in previous seasons I don't see why we can't make it 3 in a row.  As for the league, I think we first look to stay up, then when that looks safe, we aim for the top half of the table.  Play-offs would be great, but I won't get ahead of myself there!

(GB) - This will bore most football fans at Concord and of opposition clubs, but as always the main priority for this club os to secure their place at this level again, it can take 3,4 or even 5 years to establish yourself in a league that we on paper shouldn't be in.  How on earth do you improve on last season, with the club as small as it is! Personally I would love to see us go one round further in the FA Cup, but the dream would be the 3rd round!  A realistic but extremely difficult challenge would be to win the FA Trophy at Wembley, I don't think that is a goal too far but as I say it would take some going to get there.  Realistically a top half finish is achievable and ultimately above all that is the main target.

(MT) - Sadly I don't think we will finish near where we did last season, but to be in the top 12 in the league would be great.

(LP) - I think it will be hard to achieve the league position that we did last season just due to the size and money of some of the clubs coming into the league, there are some massive clubs! I think a top half finish, reaching the 1st round of the FA Cup, a nice run in the FA Trophy and hopefully another good run in the Essex Cup will be a good season!!

Right last question let's have some fun!  If you were stuck on a desert island with a Concord player, who would you NOT want it to be and why?

(AS) - Probably Steve Cawley, because he will not shut up about missing one of his goals on video, and I'm sure if I was alone with him he'd bang on about it even more and probably make us re-create it on the beach.  He says it was a good goal but I'm not so sure, he's the King of the tap in and his goal away at Whitehawk didn't even touch the net.

(AJP) - To be fair I wouldn't want to be stuck on a desert island with any of the lads, I wouldn't want to be stuck on a desert island at all!  But if I have to pick one to avoid, I'd say James White.  The big-man is good at a wind-up, decent with the banter and abuse, and if it's just me and him on an island I'd get the hassle non-stop! I can handle a bit, you don't last 5 minutes at this club if you can't, but being the main focus of it all for however long we're stuck there? No thanks!

(GB) - It's not a player I dread to be stuck on an island with, it's a member of the backroom staff - Gary Ewers.  Seriously I'd be forever looking over my shoulder wondering what prank he's going to pull off next.  He has the ability to kill you with one line in a slanging match and to sum him up in one word - nuisance!

(MT) - Here we go feet first...sorry Steve King it's you, due to that farty bum on the coach on away games, the smell is bad. I couldn't handle that on a desert island, no way.

(LP) - It probably would be Kingy.  After being near him on the team coach all year to games, the smells that come from his direction are far from nice to be around! He also sleeps a lot, so you would end up being on a desert island on your own most of the time!

An Interview with ... Joe Gardner

Joe Gardner has been at Concord since February 2014, and in that time his pace has been a key attribute to the side.
As the season winds down and the players jet off for their holidays, I grabbed some time with Joe to find out if he was a budding Usain Bolt when he was younger...

You're a very pacey player, did you represent your school at athletics when you were younger?

I have actually got quicker as I've got older.  When I was at school I wouldn't say I was really fast, maybe faster than average, but certainly not quick enough to run in the 100m or relay teams.  I was more of a long distance runner - 800m and cross country.

I hated athletics at school, even though I was pretty good at it.  How about you?

Agreed, I didn't particularly enjoy running, I was fairly good at it, so I got picked to run for the school.  Luckily representing the school meant that I could miss lessons I didn't like...that's the only bit I liked about it!

Haha..I take it you didn't have any athletic idols growing up then?

No, the only one's I had were footballers. Although I like other sports, I was never into them as much as football.  I represented my school in every sport it had available - Football, rugby, basketball, athletics as we've mentioned.

So who of these footballers did you model your game on when you were younger, and when you saw them play, did you think "wow I want to be like them"?

I couldn't say I would model my game on any specific player.  I play in so many different positions I wouldn't just focus on one player, it would be a mixture of different attacking players who have different skills and attributes.
Being a Spurs fan I loved watching David Ginola, and then just for his entertainment and playing style, Ronaldinho.  I liked players that made the crowd stand up, cheer and almost celebrate without scoring or even creating a goal.

Did you have any trials at any pro clubs?

I played a couple of times for an Ipswich Town representative side, but I wasn't YTS or anything like that.

I notice you work for the Financial Conduct Authority, was that a conscious decision to move into that sector, whilst playing football part time?

I've always wanted to work in finance/business, (aside from being a professional footballer).  I just started there in a temporary position as an 18year old after I'd finished college.  A permanent position became available, which I was successful in applying for.......and I've been there ever since!

Let's move onto the present day...What is the biggest strength of your game?

My biggest strengths would probably be being able to beat and take on opponents and creating a goal/chance.  People like players that create opportunities and "make things happen" it's what fans like to see.  Being this type of player, if you don't play so well, people appreciate that it's a difficult part of the game!

It's like Ginola and Ronaldinho, getting people out of their seats.  How about weaknesses then, what are you looking to improve on?

A weakness in my game, which I feel is getting better, is not being greedy enough in the attacking third.  I naturally try and create goals instead of concentrating on getting more goals for myself.  Lots of people have said "you need to more selfish...if you get a chance, just have a go yourself!"
On the flip side of all that though, my team-mates don't mind my unselfishness!

What does it mean to you to play for Concord?

I first played for Concord when I was 17, I spent most of my time playing and scoring for Dan Clare (goalkeeping coach) who was the reserve manager at the time. He always said I would end up playing for the 1st team, it just took me six years to gain some much needed experience at other clubs before returning.
The club's unique.  It has so many good people all pulling in the same direction to achieve results which no-one looking from outside, would give the club a chance of achieving.
People talk about their players "togetherness" being great, but the group of players here are the most like-able group of players you're ever likely to meet.

In what way?

The easiest way to describe the group we have is to liken it to a pub team full of mates.  To have 18 people get on without any issues in any environment is rare.  To have a squad of players at this level surrounded by high emotions and competitiveness and still everyone get on so well is almost impossible...but that's what we have!
I feel privileged to have been part of this club, group of people and players during (arguably) it's most successful season to date!

What did Danny Cowley add to your game, and what are you hoping the new manager Adam Flanagan can bring to your club?

Dan is a great manager, who I would say contributed to me as a player in various ways as opposed to one specific area of my game.  He gave me the opportunity to play at this level and the belief that I was good enough to play at this level and above.
Dan stressed that football is won on the 1%'s, and that would run through my head whenever I didn't fancy doing my own extra training, whether that be weights training or body conditioning after a hard game.  If I couldn't find the motivation I would have to think about that 1% extra...none of my opponents will be doing this 1%, but I will, and that will show on a Saturday afternoon!
I know Adam through playing against him, and also when he was manager of Brentwood, as my brother currently plays there.  With a change of manager it could mean new philosophies, training ideas and match preparation.  Adam has a lot of football experience, so I'm hoping he can add his own ideas to improve the current group of players and high tempo playing style.

I've heard your very superstitious...give me an example?

I have so many superstitions, I think around 25.

Pardon!

Haha...One that people don't see is me getting ready in an alternate order. Right sock, left sock, right shin pad, left shin pad, right boot, left boot, right laces, left laces, right tape, left tape etc.
The one that most people will see me do is - six knee to chest jumps followed by three bounces and then kick out my feet alternately right to left three times each.  I do this right before kick-off at the beginning of the game and at the start of the second half.
If I start on the bench and come on, then I'll do it on the side of the pitch, which linesmen find annoying when they're trying to check my shorts/boots.

How did all the superstitions start?  There must have been a reason!

I think it's based on success.  I've been doing them for so long, I can't remember the exact circumstances but all the superstitions weren't started all at the same time.  I did something like put my socks and boots on in a certain order, then I played really well, scored, so I made sure I did the same routine the next game, and so on.  If I did something else different during my preparation and done well during the game...the additional steps would be included in the routine going forward.

I sound mental!

Have you ever forgotten to do a superstition before a game, and what happened?

This will sound crazy, but the one time I didn't do one of my superstitions I got injured.  I ruptured my kidney during the game and spent two weeks in hospital with internal bleeding, and it was 3/4 months before I could play again.

The superstition I missed out on that day was scoring a goal past my own keeper during the warm up, but after that injury happened I dropped that superstition from the routine.

Let's get off these superstitions...You're in charge of the music in the dressing room.  Were you elected to the role, or did you just decide "I'm going to do it"?

It was a shared responsibility, but the audiences seemed to favour my music, and then it just stuck really.  That said, Dan Cowley hated the pre-match house music and in the past has walked round the dressing room asking each individual member of the team if they "liked this type of music!"

The music has evolved to more than just the changing room.  The speaker now comes on the coach on the long away journeys so we can all have a sing-a-long on the way home. (only if we win that is!)

Ok then, during the team sing-a-longs who is the worst singer, and also who fancies themselves as the next Olly Murs?

This is difficult because I don't like picking people out about their singing...but Oggers likes to belt out a tune.  He says the better he sings, the better he plays.  I won't say how bad he is, but he gets an A for effort.  Whitey doesn't so much sing... he's more of a pirate radio DJ impression between lyrics and songs - which probably shows we don't have a good singer amongst us!

Back to serious stuff, you turned down a move to Welling earlier this year. Do you think Concord can satisfy your footballing ambitions?

Earlier this season when the play-offs were still a possibility, I spoke to Miki Hood and said that I would have loved nothing more than to be promoted with Concord. This group of players/management/backroom staff and volunteers not only deserve it, but would  make the most of rubbing shoulders with the giants of non-league football. Imagine Concord Rangers v Bristol Rovers, or Concord Rangers v Torquay in league fixtures. I think that promotion is achievable goal.  Look we only missed out on the play-off's by such a short margin, change a couple of draws into wins, and a couple of losses into draws and we make the play-offs.  Then on our day we've proved in the past we can beat anyone.

Speaking about Welling, at the time it was not the right move.  I spoke to my Dad, I spoke to work - due to Welling training during the day I would have had to leave the office during core business hours and I spoke to Dan Cowley at the time.  I had to weigh up the pro's and con's but in the end it wasn't the right move for me.

My personal ambition includes playing at the highest level I can, although I feel I made the right decision at the time, whether I ever make it to play at the highest level of non-league in the future will ultimately decide whether the decision was the right one!

Right last question, and it's a biggie.
It's the 89th minute of the match it's 0-0 and a Concord player is clean through on goal 30yards out, one-on-one with the keeper.  What player would you guarantee would finish it, and what one would you think "oh god anyone but him!"

This is easy.

Stokesy (Tony Stokes) and Kingy (Steve King).

I'll let you work out which ones which.....

An Interview with ... James White

James White has a presence.  You see him in central midfield, and he imposes himself on the game.  His size is a contributory factor, but don't be lulled into thinking that's the only part of his game.  He has great technical ability, and to coin that old football phrase, he has great feet for a big man.  Along with a number of his team-mates, he has had a huge influence on Concord's rise over the last few seasons, and has always caught of eye of the so-called bigger clubs.  What made him stay at Concord when the big clubs came calling seemed a good place to start our chat...

You turned down Dover and Dartford last summer to stay at Concord Rangers, what is the team-spirit like at Concord which makes it such a hard place to leave?

I did, there were a number of factors involved for turning down both clubs, but the main point was that everyone involved at Concord puts 100% into the cause which creates a great vibe around the club.  I really do compare it to a Sunday league team spirit in the sense we are all mates, if you come here thinking your bigger than the club then you will get found out quickly.

A number of your team-mates started off at professional clubs, however you never did. Did you have trials at professional clubs?  Do you think your size may have put some clubs off?

Believe it or not I actually was signed by Southend at youth level to play on the left wing (obviously for my pace!) and then moved into centre mid, playing there for four years.  The game is always evolving and there are always so many changes at that level.  Michael Kightly was there at the same time, and he's now a Premier League player, but I was sadly let go.  I was also involved with Arsenal, but nothing really happened there.  Looking back I think that speed is key to progress through the ranks at a young age and that wasn't really my biggest asset.

Opposing fans look at the size of you  and (don't take this the wrong way) think look at that lump in midfield, little do they realise you have great technical ability and have a great range of passing

There will always be fans (people) that stereotype certain individuals in football. I am a lump and will never change from that build, however I hope that people can see over the past few seasons that there is more to my game from a technical stand point which is the part I love.  I got labelled this at Dartford on a number of occasions, which being honest helped my decision not to go back.

Talking about Concord, how far do you think the club can go in the non-league strucure....is the Conference League achievable?

I think Concord have shown that they're here to stay.  People say that Concord are over-achieving and have caught out other teams in the league, however I think if you show a level of consistency (league and cup) then you deserve to be where you are.  The Conference is definitely achievable for the club and will be another target for sure.

I notice you work in the City, sum up commuting if you can!

I cannot stand the commute! I think the rail companies are taking full advantage that there isn't really any other option to get up to the City/Canary Wharf.  I pay £377 a month to get to Canary Wharf, so have the over ground and under ground, and in the summer it can get quite intense!
Myself and Joe Gardner (who works in the building along from me) are normally late to away games in midweek due to the travelling.

What do you do to pass the time the time on the train...read, surf the net, sleep?

I'm quite boring really, I'll read the paper in the morning, and sleep on the way home.

Did you always want to work in the City, or did you want to something else when you were growing up?

My dream was always to be a pro-footballer like most kids, but it was installed to me at a very early age that you need to have a back-up.  My Dad has always been in the City as a trader which fascinated me, so suppose this was something that I naturally followed.

Growing up a number of your team-mates have told me they played computer games, were you a FIFA or Pro-Evo kid growing up?

I was a Pro-Evo man when I was younger, but over recent years I've switched to FIFA.  I have the games but don't really play them too much. I don't really have much time.  I would rather watch TV.

So you have the remote for the evening, what are you going to watch?

I'm a big fan of the documentary channels, I love stuff like Deadliest Catch, Storage Hunters, Wicked Tuna, Fast n'Loud and American Pickers.

None of the reality TV stuff like Towie?

Nah my girlfriend will watch that, but she'll record it and watch it when I'm at football.

Do you support a football team?

I'm a Spurs fan, always have been.  It's been fun growing up having an Arsenal fan as a best mate!

I feel your pain, I'm a Spurs fan as well.  Looking back over time, who do you think has been one of Spurs best players in the last 10 seasons?

I'd go just a bit further back then that, I was a huge fan of David Ginola as a kid.

If you could pick one current Spurs player to play at Concord, who would it be and why?

It would have to be Christian Eriksen - me and him would pop it!!

*This interview took place before Danny Cowley's departure to Braintree*