DREAM TEAM
7+( %$7+ &,7< *2$/˨ KEEPER AND CAPTAIN SELECTS THE BEST PLAYERS HE’S PLAYED $/21*6,'( ,1 121˨ LEAGUE...
GK: BILLY TURLEY
Even though he was my number two at Oxford, I’ve got to put him in purely because of his character – he was amazing around the dressing room. One of the funniest guys I’ve met and was great with me considering I took his place. When he came in he was still a decent goalkeeper for his age and had a good career. Billy was a lunatic but nice as pie with it, he’s as honest as they come.
RCB: RYAN CRESSWELL
I played alongside him at Eastleigh after we were both at Northampton in the Football League. He does what it says on the tin and scored quite a few from set-pieces as well. He was a great character to have around the place. A no-nonsense player, took pride in not losing his battles. Lifted and smashed a few people!
CB: JAKE WRIGHT
He was at Oxford with me, made over 200 appearances with them and was a great captain when called upon. Jake’s a proper northern lad and has grown one of the worst perms you have ever seen.
LCB: ROBBIE CUNDY
Robbie was our Player of the Season at Bath. He reads the game so well and has got a goal in him. He was quite a quiet lad but he knew how to play, was so comfortable on the ball, and I wasn’t surprised to see him get a decent move in the summer.
RWB: JOE RAYNES
Raynesy is a bit of NonLeague a James Milner– plays anywhere and he’s boring! Technically he’s one of the best players I’ve played with at this level and I hope he makes a full recovery from his horrible injury. Great going forward and when defending you rarely see a man get past him.
CM: ALFIE POTTER
Alfie was a complete liability on a night out but on the pitch I have seen him finish a few defenders’ careers with his skills and technique. He helped secure our return to the Football League at Oxford and we also both played for Northampton under Chris Wilder.
CM: ADAM MURRAY
I was at Oxford with him as well – one of the strangest characters I’ve ever met! That said, in terms of ability on the ball he’s one of the best I’ve seen. He captained our promotion-winning side 10 years ago and had experience in the Premier League with Derby County before.
CM: ANDY DRURY
We played against him earlier this season. It’s fair to say he wasn’t at his peak when I was at Eastleigh but you could see how technically gifted he was, one of the best passers of a ball that I’ve seen. He didn’t move around a lot but if you gave him the ball he’d find someone, and is still doing well at Havant & Waterlooville.
LWB: ANTHONY STRAKER
I took over the captaincy from him at Bath. Really good going forward and defensively knew how to play the game as well, apart from he doesn’t always like to head the ball! Tactically, Strakes was so switched on with or without the ball and is a great person to have around the place.
CF: MATT TUBBS
An out-andout goalscorer, one of the best finishers I’ve seen. I knew that if the ball would drop to him in the box he would put it away. A cheeky chap with a lovely attitude, he was quality when we were both at Salisbury.
CF: JAMES CONSTABLE
It’s a tough call between him and my teammate Ryan Brunt – who on his day is unplayable – but I’ve gone for Beano. He was very powerful, scored a lot for the Oxford United team that won promotion. He made a lot of goals himself by hustling and bustling people and was a natural-born finisher. Based on his record I’ll go for him to lead the line up front.