STRICTLY A FAMILY BUSINESS
Widdrington takes King’s Lynn into action with one son Theo in the team and another Kai - a dancer on the huge BBC show - cheering in the stands
TOMMY and I were strike partners as teenagers for Cramlington Juniors and South Northumberland, including playing at St James’ Park in a pre-match game in March 1985 (above, right). When I say partners I mean Tommy set me up, and I usually missed, accompanied by a rollicking. “You were a giant,” says Tommy.
He means in stature rather than talent! He added: “I was an honest player! I was a mouthy little sh*t as a little lad! I knew what I was good at and stuck to it. My heart, effort and background took me far, while others who might have been better footballers didn’t have the drive.”
TOMMY WIDDRINGTON plans to quickstep to FA Cup glory with the help of his sons – Strictly dancer Kai and midfielder Theo.
The Geordie boss (left), who joined Southampton as a schoolboy with Alan Shearer, has revived National League North outfit King’s Lynn Town since taking charge there 11 months ago.
After defeating League Two Doncaster in the first round, they host Stevenage today in front of up to 4,000 fans.
Popular BBC Strictly Come Dancing pro star Kai (above) will be on the touchline cheering on his dad in the dugout, and brother Theo (below), 23, will be bossing the King’s Lynn midfield.
It will be a proud family day for Widdrington, a veteran of 375 games over 15 years as a player with Saints, Grimsby, Port Vale, Hartlepool and Salisbury.
He went on to manage at Salisbury, Eastbourne and led recruitment at Coventry and Bristol Rovers at director level.
Back on the grass, he has given lads like Christian OxladeChamberlain, brother of Liverpool’s Alex, and Olly Scott, son of ex-Sunderland star Martin, a “platform” to shine.
On his family affair, Widdrington said: “Theo has been pivotal. He brought a skill set others didn’t have. He is better technically than I was but has a bit of devil. He has seven goals from midfield and has been a highlight along with others.”
So did Strictly’s Kai not fancy being a footballer, too? Well, there is a tale there involving England’s World Cup left-back Luke Shaw.
Tommy said: “Kai has no regrets about football. He is Premier League in terms of what he is doing.
“He was world champion at 14 in Latin American dancing. He could have signed for Saints when we moved to the south. The bloke who was left-back at the time was Luke Shaw!
“I remember them saying to me when he went on trial, ‘I am not sure he is better than the one we have got – Shaw – but we will keep him’.
“Kai said, ‘I’d rather do the dancing and be the main one on the stage all dressed up and I get to choose which girl I go out with!’. I said fair enough.
“He has been round the world a couple of times on cruise ships, ‘Burn the Floor’ tours. He got involved with Brendan Cole and his tour, and Dancing with the Stars in Ireland. Strictly came knocking.
“I phone in and vote for him! His debut season with AJ Odudu last year was a dream come true. Him and Nadia (the pair, above), have their own tour next year.”
Widdrington has followed his childhood team Newcastle from afar and knows Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall, “a warrior” who he signed as a player.
He added: “I saw a stat the other day – points accrued in the calendar year. The BBC said, ‘Has anyone done better than Newcastle?’
“We have, obviously at a different level! We got 28 points at the end of last season in 17 games, then 35 so far this season. We are right up there.
“The day I walked in – December 10 last year – my first game there was 400-odd in the crowd. We have sold 3,000 tickets so far for this cup tie and will be nearer 4,000.”
...WHEN TOMMY & MIRROR SPORT’S SIMON BIRD WERE STRIKE PARTNERS