Gavin Maguire : Ex-Wales and Portsmouth Defender!

In this week's edition Sam Gale talks to ex-Pompey and Wales international Gavin Maguire about his football career.

Q: Firstly, you played for six clubs, two were on loan. Was there any particular club you enjoyed playing at most?

A: I was a QPR fan as a boy so that was special to get the chance to play for them. I also have been fortunate to play for clubs with hugely pas- sionate fans in Newcastle, Millwall and of course I will forever have a special place in my heart for Pom- pey.

Q: As a young player, did you believe that you had the potential to play at a high level?

A: I had the technical ability and the game understanding but i do believe it is as important to have the drive and focus. Nothing was going to stop me from being a player!

Q: Following on from that then, for younger players looking to fulfil their dream to be a footballer is there any advice/tips you would give them?

A: It can be lonely as when your peers are out messing around doing what normal youngsters do but you can’t. I believe you have to sacrifice a lot of things but the rewards are worthwhile, Communication is key.

Q: Football has changed over time drastically in terms of transfer fig- ures, even at the time when you transferred from QPR to Portsmouth for £175,000. At the time and now did you feel the fee was ridiculous and what was your opinion towards it?

A: I thought I was a snip! Seriously, even back then I felt Pompey were getting a very good player for the money. The figures today are astro- nomical but where there is the de- mand it will continue to be so.

Q: I recently have been to Fratton Park, on the pitch. Even when it was empty. it is a hell of a stadium to be in. What was your experiences like playing for Pompey?

A: I was fortunate enough, I think, to have a connection with the Pompey fans, so match days were like your birthday and Christmas rolled into one. It was an electric atmos- phere, with some great banter.

Q: There are some major highs with some great experiences in football. On the flip side, there are some aw- ful lows. Was there any moment where you just wanted to quit?A: No, there was never a time I wanted to quit. It is the best ‘job’ in the world and I was so very fortunate to have been given the chance to play professional football.

Q:When you played on loan at New- castle United, what was it like play- ing under the manager there?

A: When I was there, Ossie Ardiles was the manager. I knew Ossie from playing with him at QPR and he is a great man and a legend.

Q: On the subject of managers was there a particular manager you enjoyed playing under?

A: I had some great times with Os- sie, Mick McCarthy, Jim Smith, Frank Burrows and of the legend Alan Ball, who knew a good player by signing me.

Q: Was there any team other than the clubs you played for that you wanted to play for at some point in your career?

A: Not particularly. I’ve been very fortunate to play for the clubs that I have been able to play for in my career

Q: It is a massive privilege to play for your country. You got to play for Wales, Would you say it’s the best moment of your career and what was it like playing for your country and playing against some of the biggest names such as Rijkaard and Ronald Koeman?

A: It is a huge achievement and one that your immediate family take pleasure in also. It’s a different sort of enjoyment because of the standard of player you are up against but nothing beats, “a rainy winter evening game in Stoke”!

Q: My last question, that I am going to ask in every interview I do... how would you like to be remembered?

A: All I want to be remembered as is a good man.

Thank you to Gavin for being my first ever interview!