DREAM TEAM WITH TIM SILLS
THE FORMER TORQUAY AND ALDERSHOT STRIKER PIECES TOGETHER A BEST EVER XI OF PLAYERS HE HAS PLAYED ALONGSIDE…
GK. SCOTT BEVAN
Played in goal when I was at Torquay and he was massive, a giant of a man. Excellent shot stopper, he had all the attributes of a goalkeeper and a lovely guy to boot. Never let his teammates down.
RB. ADAM SMITH
Came to us at Torquay as a fresh-faced 18-year-old on loan from Tottenham – and what an impression he made! You could see straight away that he was going to the very top and it’s no surprise to me that he has carved out an excellent career for himself in the Premier League with AFC Bournemouth
LB. DARREN BARNARD
Very tough decision for me with Darren coming up against my best mate in football, Kevin Nicholson, but Darren was a class act with an absolute wand of a left foot. Played at the very top with Chelsea, Barnsley and Wales, he laid on so many goals for me from the left when at Aldershot.
CB: RAY WARBURTON
Not the biggest centre-back but still an absolute colossus for us at the back in our days at Aldershot. Always 100 per cent reliable, committed and a fantastic character to have around the dressing room. Earned me my move to Aldershot after telling Terry Brown I was the toughest opponent he had faced, so always grateful for that.
CB: ANGUS MACDONALD
Came to us at Basingstoke Town on loan from Reading and his class shone through from the start. I remember saying to him during the warm-up at Bath City, “don’t get used to this, you’re going to play in much bigger stadiums” and he did, carving out an outstanding career for himself in the Championship. Was very sad to read he has been diagnosed with the early stages of bowel cancer, so my thoughts are naturally with him in the hope he makes a full recovery.
RM: WAYNE CARLISLE
Created my Wembley goal with Torquay against Cambridge in the play-off final with the best cross I have ever received as a centre forward. Not the quickest but great all-round ability, skilful and intelligent
CM: CHRIS HARGREAVES
Played with him twice, at Oxford and Torquay, and a huge character to have in the dressing room. At Oxford, we got relegated when we really shouldn’t have done and he certainly let the club know about it! A born leader, his philosophy as a player is what I aspire to implement as a manager.
CM: JON CHALLINOR
My roomie and best mate at Aldershot, Challers had two wonderful seasons under Terry Brown, scoring goals for fun in the heart of the midfield. His flair would compliment Hargreaves perfectly. Still playing at the age of 38 with Stamford, he continues to love his football.
LM: ADAM MILLER
Randomly played for Aldershot against QPR Reserves and ended up signing for Rangers, playing at Championship level. It was no more than he deserved, he could play anywhere and worked his socks off for the team. A loose cannon at times in the dressing room but I loved him for that. He was great to have
around the place.
CF: JAKE ROBINSON
Only played with him briefly at Aldershot when he arrived as a youngster on loan from Brighton, but we clicked straight away. Our ‘big man, small man’ partnership was incredible and it’s no surprise to me he has scored goals wherever he’s played since.
CF: MATT GREEN
Came to us at Torquay as a raw youngster but you could clearly see the potential he had. Worked hard on perfecting his end product as a striker and went on the forge an excellent career for himself in the Football League.
Subs: Scott Tarr (GK), Kevin Nicholson, Steve Watson, Will Antwi, Chris Zebroski