Posted by Clare Walker - 04/10/2008
Q. Hi Richard, you're my favourite player at watford, not that i want you to go but haven't you ever thought about leaving and going to another team. you've been at watford for ages haven't you got bored!!??
A. Thanks claire, I have to be honest in that haven't ever been bored. Football can be funny, if you are somewhere where you feel appreciated then boredom is never a factor. I've always lived near watford (Except year at Blackburn) I love the area and have lots of family and friends close so am very happy to stay.
I'll be honest in that I've had times when I've thought this could be it for me at Watford but thankfully I've always been able to fight my way back into the team. If I could look into the future and still be with Watford in 10 years time then I'd be a happy man but unfortunately with football it's not that simple, the way the game has changed it's very unusual for someone to remain with a club as long as I have, all it normally takes is someone to dislike you then you will be making way for someone else.
As things stand though I am happy, I hope to perform well over the coming months and gain a new contract but am open minded that nothing is written in stone.
Posted by Russ - 02/10/2008
Q. Hi Rich,
I know you have your Dr Cap business, but do you have plans for when you decide to retire from football (if you decide to retire that is!) ?
I guess your options are to either get into football management, get into "sports media" or try something completely different.
Having heard you talk on the TV and radio and from reading this excellent site, I think you'd be good in media. There's a good new web-blog on the BBC by Gavin Strachan (Gordon's son, self-proclaimed" journeyman" and Notts County player) where he talks about his media training - have you seen/read it?
Cheers,
Russ
A. Hi Russ, thanks for your question and is interesting that you ask this as it's something that's been on my mind more in recent months. I've been struggling a bit with my knee and it makes you realise football won't be there forever. I haven't actually seen the blog you speak about but i'll be sure to check it out.
Personally I'm aiming to get my coaching badges at the earliest opportunity and I have some great ideas when it comes to setting up a goalkeeping academy. It's something I have a passion for and I truly believe I know what ingredients it takes to produce a top goalkeeper. I'm actually planning on starting a course within the next few months when I have obtained the neccessary coaching badges and first aid certificates etc.
Away from that I have had the opportunity tio develop a couple of properties with the help of friends which I thoroughly enjoyed and can also be a good source of income if done well and would look to do more of in time (Once the credit crunch passes!!)
Something else that interests me is the idea of being a personal trainer, again seeing the improvement in someone could be a good buzz and seems like a fun way to make a living. I have enquired about courses and plan to take some home learning in order to have something behind me if I were to ever need it.
The media side of things would be great to do and in time I'd love to have the chance to be involved in that side of things. In theory it does sound like a dream job, sit in a studio and tell everyone else what they should be doing, can't be bad eh?!!
I do still have dr cap too (which will very soon have it's website completed www.drcap.co.uk !!) This is still going well and is fun to have.
As you can probably gather I have a lot of dreams away from playing the game but I do realise that I'm in a very privileged position at the moment so fully intend to maximise my career but keeping in mind that I have other options there once I'm done.
Thanks for your question.
Posted by Matt Rowson - 30/09/2008
Q. Hi Richard
interested to read that you stayed up north between Sheffield and Burnley. Question: do you get any jabs when having to play in Burnley? I would have thought that all precautions should be taken when visiting a place where mobile phones are regarded as witchcraft? All the best....
A. Ha, I couldn't possibly comment ;-) . . Thanks
Posted by scott - 24/09/2008
Q. Hi Richard Great website. A whlie ago i was lucky enough to meet watford legend Luther Blissett at a charity event and i was just wondering who your favourite footballer was growing up?
A. I had a few idols but being a Man Utd fan as a youngster meant that Peter Schmeichel was an idol of mine. I've never had the pleasure of meeting him unfortunately.
I do know Luther quite well though as he was reserve manager for a time at Watford so played quite a few games under him and still see him on random golf days from time to time! He's a really nice guy and a true Watford legend.
Posted by Sakinah - 04/09/2008
Q. Hi Richard i need to ask u a quetion. I have my GCSEs coming up in a year but i still want to continue playing for Q.P.R but i have so much coursework to do and stuff. Although i still have Aidy on Saturdays which is a postive note.
I still want to do training on Fridays but my work is in the way,and my coach is wondering if i should still play for the club because I have missed so many training sessions.
What shall I do. I don't wanna stop playin footie i love it to much!
A. Sounds like a tough situation. I remember my time at school and it was tough and time management was essential.
In fact for the past 10 years I've kept a time diary, so at the beginning of a week I'll work out exactly what I will be doing in the week ahead.
It sounds like something like this could be of use to you? Plan when you have time to put in extra training and what nights you can dedicate to homework? And importantly, what time you need to relax and unwind.
I'm sure it is possible to do all you want to do if you plan your time well. Hope that's of help.
Posted by Sakinah - 31/08/2008
Q. Hi Richard i like the website. It's very nice! Do you remember me, i came with Aidy once to yor training ground about a couple of months ago, and you signed my magazine. It was an honour meeting you. You are someone that i look up to very much, since I am a goalkeeper as well. Hopefully we can meet again!
P.S i also support Manchester United. How did it feel to play agianst the team that you support?
A. Yeh I remember, good to hear from you. Was an incredible experience playing against Man Utd and although we lost the games I learnt a lot of valuable lessons from them. They currently set the bench mark in england and can't wait to play against them again.
Posted by daniele - 30/08/2008
Q. hi richard howd u enjoy mick paynes wine? lol thanks for turning up it felt quite inspiring to ask the pros some questions thanks
A. My pleasure and the wine was lovely thanks! Do enjoy a glass of red wine from time to time!! Glad you enjoyed the day, I'm a big fan of what Mick does and is something I'd see myself doing one day as I think it's a great benefit to keepers of all ages.
Posted by danny - 29/08/2008
Q. hi rich, i am going to write a letter to walsall regarding a trial of somesort what should i put in the letter to make it sound formal but able to get my point across of getting a trial
A. I would recommend including stats such as height, weight, date of birth etc. Then note all notable achievements and a few short paragraphs explaining why you think you deserve a trial. If you have any video footage of any sort that could help your case then include this with your letter. A picture would also be good,Get the opinion of a few people close to you before you send the letter to make sure you have got the tone right as you want to make sure that whoever reads it gets the right impression of you. I would recommend making a few copies and sending it out to a few clubs to widen your options. I recently heard of an American lad who was after a trial at Watford, although Watford aren't currently looking for keepers he did get a trial at both Middlesborough and reading so it can pay to send out a few letters.
Posted by Craig Marsh - 28/08/2008
Q. Alright Richard.
Do any of the Watford players ever buy caps from Dr Cap?
On the Music front have you heard of a London band called the Rifles? Paul Weller joined them onstage and played some of their songs with them a while back at the Forum in London. They sound alot like the Jam if you like that kind of thing.
A. Quite a few of the lads wear the hats so I do have a few regulars who include Al Bangura, Lloyd Doyley and Aidy Marriappa among others. Of course they get a special deal! I have to be honest in that I haven't heard of the rifles but am very open minded when it comes to music so will be sure to look them up.
Posted by Samuel Tulett - 21/08/2008
Q. Hi Richard. I was just wondering, you've recently been injured and Mart Poom has stepped up while you were injured, how hard is it for you to get back into the first team on a regular basis?
How disheartning is it for you to sit on the bench if your back to fitness and doing well in training but cant break into the first team?
And just one more question, with new players in the squad, is there anything you do to make it easier on them to fit into the squad and help you and them to play well together?
Thanks and hope you have a great season!
A. It can be hard when you've been out of the team for a while, especially if the team has been doing well and keeping clean sheets.
I know both Mart and Scott are very good keepers so I wouldn't expect to walk back into the team by any stretch of the imagination. I just hope that I can get myself back to a level in training that merits being back in the team. If i can do that then I'm sure I'll be given my chance.
If you are training well and feel you are being overlooked it is of course frustrating and it's something that I'm sure every footballer at every level has felt. As I've only just returned from injury I still feel that I'm gaining my sharpness back but once I am fully fit, like most footballers, I will want to play football!
Regarding new players, we do have team bonding days from time-to-time; we have been known to do Go Karting on occasions which is always a laugh and good for team morale and integrating new players.
The days of going out on a bender are long gone. Generally it doesn't take long for most players to fit in. We all share a changing room at training so within a few days you would have thought they'd have been there for years!