THE GOAL DIGGER
Rhead revved up to stick boot into Guns
MATT RHEAD is the beefy bruiser hoping to bounce Arsenal’s millionaires out of the FA Cup.
The 6ft 4in Lincoln striker knows the National League side are on the verge of creating even more history.
Weighing in at around 16st, the 32-year-old is relishing the prospect of trying to land a knockout blow on Arsene Wenger’s star-studded internationals.
The former welder reckons most of the Gunners players will earn more in a single week than he stands to earn in his entire career.
But Rhead said: “It’s 11 versus 11 and, as we showed against Burnley, what you earn doesn’t come into it.
“We have nothing to fear but the comparisons are there for all to see because the difference between the two sets of players is just massive.
Cramped
“The thought of stepping out at the Emirates is surreal. You see it on telly. There are probably Premier League teams in awe going to a stadium like that so for us it’s going to be unbelievable.
“The dressing rooms are so big we probably won’t be able to see each other. People say they are as good as Wembley. Our dressing rooms are really cramped.
“But we go there with confidence. We’ll probably be a bit nervous because that’s understandable, but we just need to turn that nervousness into positive energy.”
Rhead might well have played his own small part in the construction of the impressive Emirates Stadium.
He worked as a welder at the JCB Earthmovers factory in Cheadle, Staffordshire, before having a crack at professional football four years ago.
He looks back on days of hard graft and turning out for Sunday League side The Butchers Arms with affection and gratitude. He said: “Days like those and working 12-hour shifts in a factory make you appreciate this kind of stuff all the more.”
Rhead admits the decision to turn pro four years ago – at 28 and with a young family – was one he couldn’t take lightly.
“My wife was more concerned, obviously,” he added. “It’s not exactly a secure job, is it? It was a massive decision – I had a four-yearold and one on the way. I did it for myself more than anything.
“Money was certainly an issue. For some players, with jobs like teachers, they probably wouldn’t do it.
“To be fair, I didn’t want to be looking back in 10-20 years regretting that I hadn’t given it a go.
“It was a massive decision because I had a young family. It’s big days like this that mean it’s something I won’t regret.”
Wife Laura and daughters eight-year-old Isla and four-year-old Esme will be praying daddy’s cup dream can go one step further.
Rhead popped in to see some of his old JCB workmates last week and admitted it was a strange feeling, turning up at the factory without his sandwich box.
His old gaffer, Mick Cheadle, told him when he was thinking of leaving that he might regret it if he didn’t give it his best shot.
Mick said: “We were sad to see him leave but he had to follow his dream. It’s great it’s paying off for him and who knows? Hopefully he can reach Wembley.”