Posted by Clive - 28/02/2009

Q. Richard, I see you have our old longwick team photo up without my permission. Naughty! How does it feel not being the most famous Longwick resident now? Rob Foys sister is streaks ahead! Hope everything is okay mate.

A.

Ha, hi mate!

 Yeh I know, not happy with her!  Claire Foy was my next door neighbour and is now better known for being 'Little Dorrit'!  I think I need to up my game a bit to keep up with her!  Good to hear from you, has been a while, hope all's well??

Posted by Andrew - 22/02/2009

Q. Cheers for that Richard. Thanks for your time and hope everything goes well for you at Watford. Good look. Andrew :)

A. Thanks :)

Posted by andrew - 21/02/2009

Q. Hello Richard, I have been playing in goal now for about 4 years now. Im 16 and am almost coming to an end with my local football team. I was just wondering, I love playing football but at the same time Im wanting to do my goalkeeper coaching qualifications. I was wondering what you would do in this situation? Thanks very much Andrew

A.

I think it's great that you want to get your coaching qualifications, this is something I'm also in the process of gaining myself at the moment.  There is no reason you have to stop playing when your team finishes, I guess if it were me I'd speak to a few of the lads on your team and go and join another team r even form another team!

  A friend of mine is in the process of forming a team for him and his mates, something that I'm sure will be a lot of fun.  If you believe you have a talent for goalkeeping then maybe look to join a good non league team and who knows where that could lead.  Hope all goes well.

Posted by Brad Simpson - 21/02/2009

Q. Hi richard, i recently wrote some letters to football clubs asking for trials and im worried that they havent wrote back, but im also worried that my letter is to vague and didnt explain how much i really want to be a pro. Can you tell me what other things i can put such as aspirations and dreams and awards. Thanks

A.

I'm sure they will write back, if you've put in the effort to write the letter they will write back I'm sure.  I guess if it were me writing a letter I'd include things such as yr age, date of birth, weight etc.  Maybe include a picture and what team you currently play for and the reason you think you can play at a higher level and be sure to leave contact information.

  If for some reason you don't hear back then don't be put off, I'm sure you will hear back but use any feedback you get as a motivation to become better and prove a club right or wrong.  My advice would be to keep trying but change your approach slightly each time,as the saying goes, if you don't succeed at first the try, try again.  Keep me informed.

Posted by Daniel Hills - 15/02/2009

Q. Hi Richard, i support watford and i have a season ticket in the lower rous.I was just wondering whats the best match you have ever played in and who is the best player you have ever played against? All the best for the rest of the season

A.

Well firstly I think best player I've ever played against is Cristiano Ronaldo, he scored a couple of times against me and is just in another league to anyone I've ever seen and looks like once again helping Man td to another title.

  The biggest match I have ever played is the FA cup semi final but my best match would probably have to be away to Man City in our premiership year.  Just one of those games where I was able to make saves, caught some good crosses and kicked well etc.  Was a great night.

 Thanks

Posted by Keiran Harris - 14/02/2009

Q. Hi Richard im 16 very enthustiastic and passionate about football im the youngest player for both of my teams 1 of my teams apart from me 18 is the youngest and on the other 21 is the youngest so im used to playing with people much older then me most of my friends and team m8s say i have wot it takes to play at a high standard i train as much as i can and i am concidering going for trials at places such as sutton at other teams at that level and would just like to know what sort of training do midfielders at watford do in training also any ideas what sort of stuff can i do on my own thank you keiran

A.

Well firstly it sounds like you are doing the right thing interms of testing yourself.  The higher level of players you are able to train with the better you will become as they will stretch you and test you.

  The sort of thing you could do on your own, which most of the outfield lads do at watford is to spend plenty of time in the gym.  The way the game is now the stronger you are the more effective you will be.  I know Frank Lampard for instance works massively on his lower body and it shows when he plays.

  I'd also ask you to assess what weaknesses you believe you have and make an effort to work on them, spend time in the park on your own or with mates focus on technique on your touch or your passing.  Decide what sort of a player you are and make yourself the most effective player you can possibly be.

  I also think you are doing the right thing in getting trials at teams such as Sutton, but don't be disheartened if you don't get signed straight away, football is a game of opinions and if you are good enough it will happen sooner or later.

  Good luck!

Posted by Sean Jenner - 08/02/2009

Q. Hi Richard, I have 2 Questions for you. 1. i am 13 and i think that i would be quite a good winger but i am not sure where to start. I live near Watford. I looked on the Watford website and they are doing courses in the summer Could that lead somewhere? 2. for a goal kick midfield all go to one side of the pitch and the goalie kicks the ball to that side of the pitch but there is so much space on the other side of the pitch. Why not get 1 person to stand on the open side of the pitch and kick it up to them (so much space)? sorry im not very good at explaining thanks Sean

A.

Hi Sean,

  I understand what you mean and every now and again a team will set up the trap of having everyone over one side then kicking it the other.  You are right though it is very rare.  I think one reason it's rare is that a keeper needs to be quite accurate with his kick, if it goes wrong then it could lead to an attack against a team so most managers opt to play it safe.

  Regardng the courses I'm sure it couldn't hurt and I'm sure it'd be very enjoyable although I'm not sure if it's directly linked with the academy.  If that is a route you wish to take and you believe you are good enough then I'd advise you to write to the academy director at watford and explain who you are and how you want a trial to show what you can do, it couldn't hurt to do that and yu never know what the response might be.

Good luck!

Posted by kev - 02/02/2009

Q. arite Richard, im 19 and only been a keeper 4 2years. iv reached premier league in sunday league and although my team arent playn well iv recieved high praise, sayin i shud b playing higher level. Im working everyday on my own t improve my game. have you any advice on where to go next m8

A.

Good to hear, well first and foremost continue to work hard on your game.  Ben Foster only took up goalkeeping at 16/17 years old and look where he is now. 

 So if you believe you have talent then let people know, get in touch with non league clubs that pay money and see if you can get a trial, if that goes well then it can lead to big things.  There are hundreds of scouts watching non league football, if you are good enough then you will continue to rise up the leagues.

  Good luck!

Posted by Ed - 01/02/2009

Q. Hi Richard,i was just wondering if any of the watford players have any superstitions before a game,e.g order of getting changed?

A. I'm sure a few of the lads do but nothing that  I know of.  I used to have a few but I soon decided that it made little difference for me!  I've actually gone full circle now and try to change everything before a game, warm up, order in which I get changed etc.  My thinking is that by changing things it keeps it fresh, a bit odd maybe but it works for me.

Posted by Daniel Stone - 31/01/2009

Q. Hi Richard, Im Daniel (email typed by mum,Debbie) and I am 9 years old and I play in the Hicks Development League U9 in Berkshire. I am goalie and I am told I should be playing in the Division 1 league, and should be pushing to be noticed more by the bigger teams. My nick name is the glove, and I am very confident and usually save my team from losing ! What advise can you give me to get me noticed. My coach doesnt want me leave, but the scouts dont come to our games, so there is little chance of me getting noticed. I live in Reading in Berkshire, and I enroled in the Hollis Bossin Goalkeeping academy during the summer. Apart from this, what else can I do? I want to be a professional and I will do anything to get there. Thanks Daniel Stone. Aged 9

A.

Well hi Daniel and Debbie!  Sounds like you are very focused in what you want which is very important.  My advice would be to do some research on who the 'academy directors' are of all the local professional clubs.

  Reading would of course be the first port of call and a great one to write to.  Let them know who you are, who you play for and what you want to become etc.  Send them a nicely written letter, with a picture etc and ask if they'd be willing to send someone down to watch you play or offer you a trial.  I'd send the same letter to a few clubs and in the meantime continue to work hard on your game and aim to become the best keeper that you can possibly be.

  And who know's in 10 years tome 'the glove' could be playing in the premier league!! ;)