Who is the best player you have lined up alongside during your career?
I’d have to say Teddy Sheringham. I remember playing a reserve match once and he was different class; his touch, vision, awareness, passing, the lot. The ball stuck to him like glue. He was always giving me good advice, and with his experience in the game, it was just nice to hear such a top professional wanting to help the youngsters out. He would always make himself available for a pass, and was always giving good encouragement, and if you did do something wrong, he would always tell you in a positive manner!

Who has been the toughest opponent you have come up against?
There’s a good few; Soloman Kalou when he was at Feyenoord. He was very quick and skilful, but the one that stands out the most is Glen Johnson when he was at Chelsea. He was right back and I was left wing, and we had a little chat before the game and he said he was going to smash me. True to his word he did. In fact I don’t remember dribbling at him once, he was in my face the second I got the ball, and was constantly bombing down the wing delivering crosses into the box! No wonder why he’s an 18million pound player for Liverpool now!!

How close did you come to breaking into the first team at West Ham, and how disappointing was it to be released?
Glenn Roeder rated me highly. I was a flying left winger back then, and believe it or not, I was quick. At 16 I was always training with the first team and the likes of Joe Cole, Carrick, Defoe, Johnson, Kanoute, and Nigel Winterburn (LEGEND). I don’t know how close I came to be honest; I was just keeping my head down, trying my best all the time, and was hoping to get the nod! But when Glenn got the sack, Pardew came in and didn’t rate me that high, I was moved to left back and central midfield, and I wasn’t able to make a position my own. Yes it was very disappointing to be released, especially as a kid growing up, as I just wanted to be a top player and play in the Premiership! It just wasn’t to be!

When West Ham were relegated, I understand you turned round to the manager and said “it wouldn’t have happened if you played me”. Firstly, is it true and secondly what was the reaction?
Yeah I remember saying it to my manager at the time Tony Carr, let’s say he didn’t find it very amusing!

Who has been the biggest influence on your footballing career?
I would have to say my Dad. Sadly I lost him 11 years ago to cancer, and even though he’s not around, I still go out and play for him hoping to do myself and of course him proud. My Mum, Nan and my Aunt are three special people in my life, and they follow me up and down the country wherever I play, and I’m very grateful for their support!

You had a great season for the Blues last year, which of the games stick out for the best / most disappointing performances?
Yes last season was good for me. Winning any award (Supporters Player of the Year) is good, but for the fans to recognise the hard work I put in was a real bonus, and I was very grateful to receive it! So thank you!! I was happy with the goals I scored last season, especially at Cheshunt away, which was my favourite, and the 9-0 against Cheshunt again at home. It just went to show what we were capable of, but a different Grays team turned up every week! The most disappointing game was East Thurrock at home where they smashed us 4-0. It just went to show how far behind we really were last season as they battered us for 90minutes!

Did you enjoy the extended pre season this year, and how does the new regime’s training differ from previous manager’s you have played for?
The extended pre season has benefited us a lot to be honest, we look fit, sharp and strong, Hakan and Hasan are coaches that only want 100% in anything we do, whether its little passing drills, keep ball, running, quick feet, everything has to be done to its full potential. Its good because you could easily just go through the motions and not put 100% effort into it, but believe me, Hasan will not let you rest for one second. Watch him on the touchline, he’s a brilliant coach with fantastic ideas, and everyone at Grays will benefit. They are not believers of this long running business (thank God), and everything is short and sharp , that’s how football is played now I guess!

Hakan has looked to play you in a more central role in pre-season - where are you most comfortable playing, and which was your preferred position as a youngster at West Ham?
Yeah I don’t mind central midfield, I played there for a few years at West Ham, and when I got selected for England school boys. Hakan wants to play football, so it suits me perfectly, and not many teams play a passing game in our league, instead, most of them are route one. I am confident we will pass any team off the pitch in this league, and the players we have are more than capable of getting us into the Ryman Prem!!

With over 70 games under your belt for the club, you’re the longest current serving player – how would you describe your time playing for Grays, and was it an easy choice to stay at the club following a disappointing season last year?
Last season was very disappointing, especially as I thought with the players we had we should have been in the playoffs at least. But it’s gone now, and we have to look forward. I did have a few offers from other clubs, but I got relegated with Grays when we were in the Conference, so I still have unfinished business with them. Andy Swallow has been fantastic to me, a great support when things haven’t been going great, he’s got good plans for the club, and hopefully Hakan is the man to lead us to promotion!! So no it wasn’t a hard decision, our training facilities are great, we’ve got nice backroom staff, and everyone has a good laugh with each other.

What are your thoughts on the squad that Hakan has assembled, and what are your expectations for the season?
My expectations are always high; I set my own high standards, and the team have as well now. We all know what the Chairman and the board wants! But the team Hakan and Hasan have got together is a mixture of experience and youth, which is vital to any squad. We’ve got pace, power, drive, ability and strength. When the tough gets going, there might be times when we will have to play long ball because of weather conditions, we will fight, fight and fight for 95 minutes!! I’m not saying it because I have to, I’m saying this because I’ve got a good vibe and I believe in my team mates and my management staff! That is that Grays will be in the top two come 28th April 2012!