Questions & Answers

Mancityfans.net Interview

Q: When you were at Wolves, were any other clubs in for you and were you reluctant to go. I.e. did you have a love of The Old Gold?

A: Clubs showing interest: Man Utd, Aston Villa, Ipswich, Arsenal and Everton. After 10 years you do get a feeling for the Club, I had some great times there but felt it was the right time to move on.

Q: Steve, what was your initial reaction when you knew that you were going to sign for City?

A: Initial reaction was great excitement, until Malcolm informed me he had just sold Gary Owen, Peter Barnes, Asa Hartford and Mick Channon. Malcolm’s reason – to pay for me! It was going to be difficult to appease City fans who held those four players in the highest esteem.

Q: Steve, when you arrived at City, there was a strange situation in that Malcolm Allison had been brought back to the Club as coach and Tony Book was officially the Manager, but everyone knew Malcolm was pulling the strings. Tony Book described the situation as an "embarrassment" in his autobiography. What are your views on the managerial situation at that time?

A: I didn’t realise, I thought Tony was the Assistant Manager, I have the greatest respect for Tony, he would often work with me on one-to-one situations, he is a great guy.

Q: Did the price tag affect your performances?

A: I don’t think the price affected me as such, it doesn’t matter if you cost one hundred thousand or one and a half million, you are still the same player. I think we tried to move too quickly and sold too many players at once, not replacing them as well as we should.

Q: Did you feel that people wanted you to be new Colin Bell and emulate the club legend?

A: It would be impossible to replace a legend like Colin Bell, a truly world class player. Maybe Malcolm thought I could do a similar job to Colin on the left hand side of midfield, which probably detracted from my overall contribution to the team, having played the previous 5/6 seasons at Wolves in the centre of midfield.

Q: Steve were too many changes made too soon by Malcolm to give the team a chance of being successful?

A: I do think too many changes were made too quickly in terms of players, experienced players were replaced with young inexperienced players, who given time would have become accomplished players in their own right. They would have benefitted from being used when the team were winning games and not have to face the pressure of coming into a team lacking in confidence and form.

Q: In the Derby at United we had a corner why did you send it all the way back to the keeper?

A: The Great Corner Kick – In that era whenever Man Utd cleared their defensive lines, they automatically sprinted out to the half-way line. The intention was – I would take the corner kick from our right hand side, drive the ball back to the half way line to Tommy Booth, we did this and sure enough Utd sprinted to the half way line which would have left our left back – Paul Power with acres of space to run into. But with Tommy taking what seemed ages to control the ball, when the ball was eventually played, Paul was clear but unfortunately 25 yards offside!

Q: Steve, when you left us about 18 months after signing to go to America, did you feel guilty that City had lost over £1mil on the deal? . . . . And at the time did you think you would ever play in England again?

A: When leaving City for the USA, it wasn’t a feeling of guilt - more of great disappointment having been unable to build upon the success I had as a player at Wolves. During my time with Wolves I had been selected by Ron Greenwood to accompany the England B Team on numerous occasions. Ron had implied that following my transfer I would be promoted to the full squad. No-one regretted more than me that things didn’t turn out differently at Man City. I must say the fans were behind me 100%, luckily I managed to lose them at Knutsford services!! Unfortunately you don’t always get what you want, but City will always be a big part of my life.

Q: Whilst it didn't work out as planned do you ever regret the move, and do you still hold the club with some affection?

A: No player could regret a move to a Club with the stature of Man City! Although I do regret that things didn’t work out. I have a great affection for the fans and wish the Club every success for the coming season.

Q: Who were the players you admired when you played? And who was the best player you played alongside?

A: Players I Admired – George Best, Bobby Charlton, Wolves Captain, Mike Bailey and Tony Curry. Best players I played alongside: John Richards, Kenny Hibbitt, Willy Carr, Alan Hudson and Tommy Hutchinson.

Q: Who were your closest friends at City and practical jokers?

A: Closest Friend at City – Paul Power, Tony Henry, Roger Palmer, Joe Corrigan and Tommy Booth. Biggest joker – Bobby Shinton, one story comes to mind: A player, who shall remain nameless, came in every Monday got changed and headed straight for the toilet to relieve himself. Unknown to the player Bobby had sprayed the toilet seat with Blue dye and covered the actual pan with cling film, leaving the player in quite a bit of trouble!

Q: What was the press reaction to City in your day and do you notice a bias towards United these days or are we just a sensitive bunch?

A: There was always bias towards Utd as we were seen as the city’s second team. In the four derby games I played in, I was never on the losing side.

Q: Steve, what is your opinion of the changes that have happened to the league from when you played. Do you miss the days when most teams were made up of locals?

A: I think there have been some good and bad changes. The back pass to the keeper which stops time wasting and keeps the game flowing is obviously a good one. The money given to teams who are already successful seems wrong. I think it could be shared out a bit more between lower league clubs to support young players as they ascend through the ranks. A rule limiting the amount of foreign players on the field at any given time would bring our youngsters through to first team football sooner rather than later.

Q: How do you feel about the amount of money in the game today, compared to the levels you were paid?

A: You can’t blame players for accepting what’s offered. In the seventies you were incentivised to win games. I think this made the game more entertaining for the fans as the win bonus was necessary to make up the weekly wage.

Q: Do you use internet message boards such as Mancityfans.net yourself or do you know of any players (past or present) who do. And if you were still playing would you be tempted to have a look to see what the fans were saying about you?

A: I don’t know of any players using Mancityfans.net. If I was playing today I would view it out of interest and curiosity.

Q: Steve, City have broken the British transfer record for the first time since your signing. Can I ask what your thoughts are on the acquisition of Robinho?

A: Signing Robinho is I think a ‘statement of intent’ to the so-called Top Four, showing that City can and will compete for the worlds greatest players. I wish him the Best of Luck with the Greatest Success (Hopefully he will never experience the fans ‘What a waste of money’ in Brazilian)

Q: Steve, how did the after dinner speaking come about, and is it something you enjoy doing? And do you use much material from your time at City?

A: The After Dinner Speaking has developed over the past 9 years, I have a sharp Yorkshire wit and enjoy a good joke (especially if it features me). I have found the ability to laugh at yourself breaks down barriers and people accept you as just one of the guys. The content of my speech covers the ups and downs of my playing career. I have spoken at Eastlands on numerous occasions and always enjoy a fantastic reception.

Q: Steve, I can't let you go without asking for your opinion on the takeover of City by ADUG? Which has delighted the City fans, but has seemingly shocked the rest of the football world?

A: ADUG takeover can only be a good thing if the investment is continuous. This will enable City to compete with the biggest football clubs in England and the rest of the world. Hopefully bringing success, which Man City fans surely deserve.

Steve, once again many thanks, for taking the time and trouble to do this interview for the City fans over at Mancityfans.net. It's very much appreciated.