19th March 2021
Interview conducted by Adam Holt
I have recently caught up with defensive stalwart Derek Mountfield to quiz him about his long career in professional football. This Q&A covers topics ranging from his career at Everton to his time at Aston Villa. I also ask him his opinion on VAR amongst a plethora of other interesting topics...
Clubs:
- Tranmere Rovers (1980 - 1982)
- Everton (1982 - 1988)
- Aston Villa (1988 - 1991)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers (1991 - 1994)
- Carlisle United (1994 - 1995)
- Northampton Town (1995)
- Walsall (1995 - 1998)
- Scarborough (1999)
Check out the Q&A below!
You spent six years at Everton, what would you say was your finest achievement at the club?
“That's a difficult one due to our great successes from 1984 to 1987... but I'll give you a few: Everton’s first trophy since 1970, when we won the FA Cup in 1984. We were the only Everton team to win a European trophy in 1985, a unique double which could have easily been a treble. I scored an amazing 14 goals from centre half - didn't see many as I had my eyes closed!”
“I feel that my greatest achievement was actually signing for Everton in May 1982, a blue from birth, season ticket on the Gwladys Street end during the 70's early 80's, I did something all my mates wanted to do - I signed for Everton. I've still got that first contract.”
How good was your defensive partnership with Kevin Ratcliffe?
“If results are an indication, pretty good I'd say! Kevin became a brilliant captain and leader before I came into the team, which was due to Mark Higgins’s unfortunate injury and both Kevin (Ratcliffe) and Mark were left footed, so then the right foot left foot balance was there when I got in the side. He (Ratcliffe) had pace to burn but I wasn't a slouch. I had more height than him so I did the majority of the heading and he used his pace to cover and sweep up the danger. Evertonians still talk about our partnership and it’s nice when they remind you of our success.”
What factors persuaded you to sign for Aston Villa in 1988?
“Basically I joined Villa to play football. I'd had a very difficult time over the previous two seasons, firstly through injury, then due to Howard Kendall signing Dave Watson. I played less than 35 games over those seasons as after Dave was signed by Howard he preferred him over me, but he did pay £1 million for him. Then when Howard left and Colin Harvey too, the story just continued.”
“When Graham Taylor rang I got to Villa Park as quick as I could, and after a short time in his company, there was only one decision.”
What would you say was the best moment at your time with Villa?
“The 1989/90 season was something, we had a great team spirit and style of play going.
The three at the back, Sid (Cowens) dictating midfield, David Platt making runs, Tony Daley bombing down the wing, Ian Ormondroyd on the left and Shaggy (Ian Olney) up front. Goals came from many different areas and we came so close to becoming champions, the nine point gap doesn't do us enough credit. But two games really stick out for me, beating Everton 6-2 on bonfire night 1989 (I enjoyed that one!), and beating Inter Milan at Villa Park 2-0 in 1990 UEFA cup tie.”
How much of a part did Ron Atkinson play in your departure from Villa in 1991?
“Everything – he made life unbearable for a lot of people, I understand that he wanted to bring his own players in but I was very disappointed with the way he did it. Personally, if you treat people with respect you get it back, unfortunately I feel I got little respect.”
Who was the best player you played with in your career?
“I played with so many great players at Everton; Neville Southall the best GK, Ratcliffe, Peter Reid who was magnificent, Kevin Sheedy who had quite a left foot, Trevor Steven who was majestic, as well as Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray, who were both excellent goal scorers and great strikers.”
“Then at Villa, (Tony) Daley who had pace to burn, David Platt was an outstanding player, Dwight Yorke (the smiling assassin) and Sid Cowens, who was slight in stature but the best two footed player I played with. But for two seasons, despite his problems, bad knees, alcohol and mental health issues, Paul 'God' McGrath was without doubt the best player I ever played alongside.”
What would you say was the biggest challenge you faced in your career?
“Injuries - they come they go, but all players get them and they can be very damaging to your career.
I've had my fair share and the scars to prove it, even today including a fused ankle and a new knee. But I wouldn't have swapped it for anything, I lived a lot of my mates and the fans dreams, I played professional football and also for the team I supported.”
Finally, what is your opinion of the use of VAR in the Premier League?
“At times it’s VARcical and it needs a lot of fine tuning. Has it helped? Well, it did for Villa with the goal line technology last season. But some of the offsides, handballs, penalties and red cards this season have simply been embarrassing, so hopefully it will improve but I'm not completely sure it will....it needs a lot of fine tuning and Law 18 (around fouls) needs adding for common sense.”
I hope you enjoyed this Q&A - there will be more to come soon, so keep an eye out!
Clubs:
- Tranmere Rovers (1980 - 1982)
- Everton (1982 - 1988)
- Aston Villa (1988 - 1991)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers (1991 - 1994)
- Carlisle United (1994 - 1995)
- Northampton Town (1995)
- Walsall (1995 - 1998)
- Scarborough (1999)
Check out the Q&A below!
You spent six years at Everton, what would you say was your finest achievement at the club?
“That's a difficult one due to our great successes from 1984 to 1987... but I'll give you a few: Everton’s first trophy since 1970, when we won the FA Cup in 1984. We were the only Everton team to win a European trophy in 1985, a unique double which could have easily been a treble. I scored an amazing 14 goals from centre half - didn't see many as I had my eyes closed!”
“I feel that my greatest achievement was actually signing for Everton in May 1982, a blue from birth, season ticket on the Gwladys Street end during the 70's early 80's, I did something all my mates wanted to do - I signed for Everton. I've still got that first contract.”
How good was your defensive partnership with Kevin Ratcliffe?
“If results are an indication, pretty good I'd say! Kevin became a brilliant captain and leader before I came into the team, which was due to Mark Higgins’s unfortunate injury and both Kevin (Ratcliffe) and Mark were left footed, so then the right foot left foot balance was there when I got in the side. He (Ratcliffe) had pace to burn but I wasn't a slouch. I had more height than him so I did the majority of the heading and he used his pace to cover and sweep up the danger. Evertonians still talk about our partnership and it’s nice when they remind you of our success.”
What factors persuaded you to sign for Aston Villa in 1988?
“Basically I joined Villa to play football. I'd had a very difficult time over the previous two seasons, firstly through injury, then due to Howard Kendall signing Dave Watson. I played less than 35 games over those seasons as after Dave was signed by Howard he preferred him over me, but he did pay £1 million for him. Then when Howard left and Colin Harvey too, the story just continued.”
“When Graham Taylor rang I got to Villa Park as quick as I could, and after a short time in his company, there was only one decision.”
What would you say was the best moment at your time with Villa?
“The 1989/90 season was something, we had a great team spirit and style of play going.
The three at the back, Sid (Cowens) dictating midfield, David Platt making runs, Tony Daley bombing down the wing, Ian Ormondroyd on the left and Shaggy (Ian Olney) up front. Goals came from many different areas and we came so close to becoming champions, the nine point gap doesn't do us enough credit. But two games really stick out for me, beating Everton 6-2 on bonfire night 1989 (I enjoyed that one!), and beating Inter Milan at Villa Park 2-0 in 1990 UEFA cup tie.”
How much of a part did Ron Atkinson play in your departure from Villa in 1991?
“Everything – he made life unbearable for a lot of people, I understand that he wanted to bring his own players in but I was very disappointed with the way he did it. Personally, if you treat people with respect you get it back, unfortunately I feel I got little respect.”
Who was the best player you played with in your career?
“I played with so many great players at Everton; Neville Southall the best GK, Ratcliffe, Peter Reid who was magnificent, Kevin Sheedy who had quite a left foot, Trevor Steven who was majestic, as well as Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray, who were both excellent goal scorers and great strikers.”
“Then at Villa, (Tony) Daley who had pace to burn, David Platt was an outstanding player, Dwight Yorke (the smiling assassin) and Sid Cowens, who was slight in stature but the best two footed player I played with. But for two seasons, despite his problems, bad knees, alcohol and mental health issues, Paul 'God' McGrath was without doubt the best player I ever played alongside.”
What would you say was the biggest challenge you faced in your career?
“Injuries - they come they go, but all players get them and they can be very damaging to your career.
I've had my fair share and the scars to prove it, even today including a fused ankle and a new knee. But I wouldn't have swapped it for anything, I lived a lot of my mates and the fans dreams, I played professional football and also for the team I supported.”
Finally, what is your opinion of the use of VAR in the Premier League?
“At times it’s VARcical and it needs a lot of fine tuning. Has it helped? Well, it did for Villa with the goal line technology last season. But some of the offsides, handballs, penalties and red cards this season have simply been embarrassing, so hopefully it will improve but I'm not completely sure it will....it needs a lot of fine tuning and Law 18 (around fouls) needs adding for common sense.”
I hope you enjoyed this Q&A - there will be more to come soon, so keep an eye out!