Alfie Rutherford : H&W Hitman reveals all!

In this edition of Sam Gale's football stories, we talk to Havant and Waterlooville striker Alfie Rutherford about his time at Portsmouth FC from a young age and looking back on certain milestones in his career and aspirations for the future. Here is his story...

Q: Alfie, thank you for taking your time to answer the questions. To start us off could you summarise your career so far?

A: I think the start of my career has been ups and downs from when I was at Portsmouth from 10 years old I went through the academy playing as a centre back, when I was 16 I got offered a full time scholarship at the club, unfortunately I could sign it as I have aortic stenosis of my heart which made me fail the medical. But as my career has gone on I’ve been in football for 5 years I’ve had 2 promotions 1 relegation and I’ve played in the semi final of the trophy so I’ve had ups and downs.

Q: In your first season with Moneyfields FC, what was it like playing at those levels at the time?

A: I signed for Moneyfields FC with my dad as I had my first experience of men’s football, that league was very physical and it does make you toughen up but that year see me have a good season with a total of 32 goals but without playing in that league I don’t think I would be where I am now.

Q: When you moved to Havant, what was your first impressions and how did you feel, Havant has been a club of good pedigree for years?

A: So when havant approached me I was at Bognor and I was really shocked because I knew they was a big club for the area if anything the biggest club in the area as my dad played a couple seasons for havant when they formed together but I straight away thought about the FA Cup run in 08 and it was a move that I thought would work for me.

Q: You were part of an elite group when Havant went up to the National League, players including Theo Lewis, Jason Prior and Rory Williams with many others in that team. It’s got to be up there as the best if not one of the best moments in your career?

A: As for the elite group I played with when we made history getting promoted to the national league that is by far my greatest achievement in football so far to get back to back promotions was a unbelievable achievement as for being in the national league I think we struggled not being full time but as for the players I played with, Rory Williams, Jason prior all of them players I will always remember.

Q: When you went out on loan to Eastbourne, do you feel that was the thing you needed in order to gain experience or do you feel it was needed just to get game time and be playing regularly?

A: My Eastbourne loan I feel was something I needed at the time I knew I was good enough I just needed to show it and luckily for me it was a past manager I had would take me, Jamie Howell I always knew the style of football he wanted to play and it worked for me at Bognor, I think that loan was the best decision I made because at the time havant weren’t scoring many goals and I scored 7 in 6 so when I came back I was raring to go and luckily enough for me I scored 5 in 2 on my return.

Q: Do you have have any close friends in football?

A: I speak to a lot of people who I have played with I have my team mates that I still play with such as Brad Tarbuck and Wesley Fogden but outside of the Havant squad I speak to Jason prior still and Rory Williams they are always asking how I am.

Q: Although you have been in some talented teams, you have had some real characters as well! Is there any funny stories you can divulge?

A: Funny stories.. There is so many I could tell and people like Dan Strugnell and Ryan Woodford would be the main culprits in the national league we had a lot of away journeys and long ones, but probably Dan Strugnell away at welling with his celebration he just scored the winner and celebrated but in his celebration pull hamstring but it was the manner he done it in and cause of the character he was.

Q: Have you always believed in your ability, as you look like a player that goes onto the pitch with confidence?

A: I have always believed in my ability but I feel I am a confidence player so when I feel like I’m in form I feel like my ability’s are shown on the pitch.

Q: What are you personal aspirations, do you have the belief you could reach the promise land of the football league?

A: I think for anyone’s their own aspirations is to play as high as they can and for me it would be the same for me I want to play as high as I can but if it doesn’t happy I’ll still always try me best.

Q: How would Alfie Rutherford like to be remembered?

A: I would like to be remembered as the player who had a heart condition but still made it and that will always be my ambition as I couldn’t go pro at Portsmouth.

Thank you to Alfie for doing this interview and I wish him the most luck in all his career!