2.40pm
Ricky’s report of the St Johnstone game is now available.
9.45am
Pat Nevin Interview – Part 3 (read Part 2 here)
Q21: What is your opinion of the new Official website? What is your opinion of the Unofficial websites/mailing list and how much notice does the club take of them?
A: The new official website is being moved on as quickly as possible. It serves a very different function than the unofficial sites. I am a fan of your site and regularly go on to gauge the fans feelings. Others also have impressed. I think they show that Well fans care very deeply about their club. Don’t always agree with everything said, but I respect most of it as being what people truly feel and think.
Q22: Games against Motherwell! What memories do you have of them?
At Clyde there was a cracker at Fir Park.; Well a good one for me anyway. While with Killie I think we had a good record against the Well. I think at the time Killie were the better side generally. There was that awful 4-0 win for Killie at Rugby Park that was played in a force 9 Hurricane. Awful and should have been abandoned
Q23: Which player gave you the most pleasure to play with?
A: Too many to mention.
Q24: Your most difficult opponent?
Usually little full backs who were smaller than me. Thankfully there weren’t many of them! Actually your own head is the only opponent you need to really defeat.
Q25: Referees. How approachable were they when you started out and how much do they differ today? Should they give a public interview after the match and be made accountable for their actions?
A: They are very different in England than they are in Scotland. Down south they are a lot more approachable, then again many Scottish referees see this as a negative thing. I personally do not. I think giving the refs the opportunity to give a statement if requested after the game if they wanted might not be a bad thing.
Q26: A typical day for Pat Nevin would be?
A: Impossible to say really. Get up at 7.30. Do the kids breakfast while my wife spends ages in the shower. Take my lad Simon the 15 minute drive to his school, before driving the 1 and a 1/2 hours to Motherwell. Then anything can happen. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been getting back to the house between 8pm and 10pm. There is media, SPL and SFA work. Sifting through the masses of mail regarding players who want to come on trial, weeding out the dross before passing it on to the manager for his decisions. Agents constantly calling regarding their players. If the manager targets a player, I find out what the costs are and report back to him. This part is the most complex and time consuming part of any deal. I could actually gone on for ages, everything from ordering new portable goals to legal situations with the club..it is endless really.
Q27: What improvements are planned/could be made to Fir Park?
A: Most of the structural work has been done at a cost of nearly £2million I am assured. Hopefully most further work will lead to better facilities for training and youth development.
Q28: Do you hear everything on the pitch coming from the stands?
A: You hear lots, now that I’m not playing I can listen more intently. Hopefully we do listen to the fans enough, although I know some think we do not.
Q29: If you didnt make it as a footballer, what other careers did you consider as a youngster?
A: Teacher. Probably Economics or Modern Studies. The degree I was studying for was BA Commerce. So that is the way it was going before I had a little go at football.
Q30: What are the high points and low points of your tenure at Fir Park?
A: Andy Thomson dying was the worst by a very very long way. High points were obviously beating the Old Firm a few times. Personally I enjoyed scoring the winner v Hearts. I do not like to live in the past so the faves at the moment are Pearos’ progress and Keith Lasley looking fantastic against Hearts.
Q31: What was the full story behind the departure of Harri Kampman? At the time, rumours were rife that he had been forced out and ended up with a £50,000 pay-off. What really happened?
A: He was not forced out, he asked to leave and a sum was granted to him.
Q32: What Motherwell fanzines do you read (if any)?
A: Any one that is sent or given to me I read from cover to cover.
Q33: Raffle tickets have recently been sent out to season ticket holders in an attempt to raise money for the Youth Development Fund. Can we expect any further fund-raising initiatives?
A: We will try all we can to raise money in this area. It is of the utmost importance for this club.
Q34: Can you give us a few details on the forthcoming share issue? When will shares be available for fans to purchase?
A: No details as yet but I know that the specialists on the board have been working on it. As soon as there is news it will be announced I am assured.
Q35: And finally, what is your favourite Smiths song?
A: How Soon is Now. Actually I have a great story that involves a night out with Morrissey, Me, Norman Whiteside and Vini from Durrutti Column which is brilliant. Maybe I’ll tell the person who asked the question if we ever bump into each other.
Thanks again to Pat for taking time out to answer our questions at what must be a very busy time for him.