Team mates
Marc Richards – Northampton Town striker
Best mate at the club? It sounds soft, but we’re a tight group here and I don’t think there’s anyone I could name without also having to name another person. Outside the club, I’m close to Adam Yates at Port Vale and Paul Reid from our days at Barnsley – you tend to pick up one or two good mates per club. Last to buy dinner? Ryan Cresswell, no question. He loves a freebie and you rarely see him buy a drink at a social or put his hand in his pocket. The Fifa king? I don’t play it, but it was definitely Ivan Toney before he left for Newcastle. He needs to get a life really. The competition up there will probably be a bit fiercer than at Northampton. Worst dressed? John-Joe O’Toole. He’s got his own dress sense that noone else gets and he sticks to it. He regularly comes in wearing random vests and dodgy jeans and trainers. Dressing room DJ? Jason Taylor is from Manchester and is big into that scene. He knows all the hot spots for a night out there, so he’s definitely in control on a match day. His music goes down well with me – it’s upbeat and gets the dressing room going. Most skilful? We’ve signed a few tricky wingers recently, so Ricky Holmes, Lawson D’Ath, Nicky Adams and Alfie Potter are, between them, the most skilful. Late for training? If John-Joe O’Toole was any more laid back he’d be lying down. We’ve got a fines system here and he is regularly paying into the kitty. We always see him through the window running to try to get there in time, but he never does. Teacher’s pet? There are a couple of candidates – Ryan Cresswell and Ricky Holmes. Ricky is probably the gaffer’s favourite as he can pretty much do anything he wants and get away with it. Being a very good player allows him that – he does work hard, though. Best/worst cook? Dave Buchanan, Ricky Holmes, Joel Byrom and Nicky Adams have just started renting together and I’ve heard Buchanan is a very good chef. The others take it in turns to cook but Nicky is so bad he’s one for the washing-up. First on the dancefloor? Jason Taylor loves a night out and Ryan Cresswell has a few moves, too. Most likely to disgrace themselves at the Christmas party? Me! I tend to get drunk quite quickly as I’m a bit of a lightweight. I can’t keep up with these youngsters necking shots. But I do also tend to survive most of the night. Worst tattoo? Zander Diamond has his name tattooed on his back, just in case he forgets it! Lee Collins had the same last year. Never puts their phone down? We’re not allowed phones in the dressing room, but on the coach Adam Smith is on his phone most of the time. Going to make the best manager? Jason Taylor is doing his badges. I think he’d be a good boss.