Up close and personal

Tell us more about your background? So you come the land of sheep as they say!
Yes, I come from Bethesda in North Wales. When I was growing up in the late 60s and early 70s it was always Liverpool versus Leeds in our playground; seeing Man U relegated by Denis Law was almost as good as seeing Liverpool win their endless trophies.

How did you come arcoss the Official Liverpool Supporters’ Club Hong Kong Expatriate Branch ?
Did a search on the web and then met Dave, Neil and the others at Amici with some colleagues from Standard Chartered.

Where do you work?
I work for Standard Chartered so I was incredibly happy when the bank decided to sponsor the best team in the world.

Got any nicknames?
Not currently - at least not that people tell me about - but I was called "Smiley" when I was at school and "Dai" when I was at university.

Any Hobbies?
Helping to coach my kids in football, rugby and athletics. My daughter wants to be the first female player for the Reds first team and my eldest son has targeted playing rugby for Wales by the time he’s 17. I had similar dreams but much more limited talent.

Anyone else in your family a Red?
My 12-year-old daughter and 9-year-old and 3-year-old sons. My wife Angela supports Sheffield United.

Do you play for any football teams? And what position?
Have played a few times for the HK Reds - they are very kind to an old man with no skill. Have always enjoyed playing wherever I’ve lived - Korea, Dubai, New York and the UK before HK.
 
Your own strengths as a player? And weaknesses?
Strengths - strong left foot and I hate to let any team down, so will always do my best and never give up Weaknesses - too slow, predictable and a tendency to hoof rather than play a delicate pass.
 
If you were to pick a Liverpool player (past or present) who plays like you, who would that be?
Joey Jones.


Liverpool FC

Favourite Liverpool goal?
Rush and Dalglish scored many that would qualify but the latest is Kuyt’s hat-trick against Man Utd. It means so much to beat them.

Fondest football memory?
First European Cup win against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

What did you think of Roy’s Hodgson reign?
Bad appointment. To be Liverpool manager you have to either understand the club deeply or be a very high achiever who gets respect from top players as soon as you walk through the door. He had neither. The tea lady at Anfield told me he was a nice man, and he probably is, but Kenny is Red royalty.

Best Liverpool XI?
Clemence, Neal, Carragher, Hansen, Lawrensen, Souness, Dalglish, Gerrard, Rush, Barnes, McManaman.
Subs – Reina, A. Kennedy, P. Thompson, Keegan, Owen, McDermott, Highway.

Who should we buy this summer in the transfer market?
Gareth Bale.
 
And should the owners make Dalglish permanent manager?
Yes, definitely.


The Important Stuff

What’s the last CD you bought?
Green Day a couple of years ago. Mainly download these days.

What’s your favourite TV show?
Historically, probably Only Fools & Horses, but more recently, Californication.

What’s your poison?
Stella Artois and Cloudy Bay (not in the same glass unless I’m in Korea).

Favourite Asian destination?
Sydney.
 
Jessica Alba or Beyonce?
Jessica Alba.

What are you listening to on your iPod/ipad/iphone?
Placebo and Robbie Williams
 
If you were stranded on a desert island with one person, who would you choose?
My wife Angela.

Three words that describe you.
Glass half full.

Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I saw Ian Rush score against West Germany in Cardiff and celebrated so much I couldn’t speak for days.