10th May 2021
Interview conducted by Adam Holt
I have recently caught up with ex-professional footballer Kevin Gage to discuss a variety of topics in relation to his career as a player. We discussed a plethora of topics from his inspiration for becoming a footballer in the first place as well as questions on some key moments in his career as a whole.
Clubs: Wimbledon (1980 - 1987), Aston Villa (1987 - 1991), Sheffield United (1991 - 1996), Preston North End (1996 - 1997) & Hull City (1997 - 1999).
Check out the Q&A below:
- Did anyone in particular inspire you to become a footballer?
"No one in particular as I didn’t really follow any one team or player as a kid. I lived in middle of Surrey and so didn’t go to watch pro games or support a ‘local’ side. I just watched football on the TV and supported most London based teams."
- How does it feel holding the record for the youngest player to play for Wimbledon?
"Its actually something I’m immensely proud of and mention it whenever the opportunity arises. I was also on the bench (but didn’t get on) aged 16 v Doncaster Rovers around March/ April on that 80-81 season."
- How did you feel about the Wimbledon side you were in being referred to as the ‘crazy gang’, and what was it like playing in that team?
"Its only when looking back do I realise just how special it truly was. By the time the ‘Crazy Gang’ nickname had evolved we’d already achieved the three promotions and were in the top division! It was just wonderful being part of a young, successful, bonded, group of men, living, working & growing up as people and players together. Again, its something I will always be a part of and something I’m so proud of."
- How much pride do you have in scoring in all four divisions in England?
"Its quite unique apparently, and I wasn’t striker either! My only regret (if you can call it that) is that I never scored in the Premier League too, as goals I scored for Sheff Utd in the top division were a season before the league was formed."
- What was it like being part of a team rising so rapidly up the football pyramid?
"At the time we didn’t attach too much importance to it & weren’t that surprised to be honest. We knew we were a good team & our style of play worked so we expected to be successful. Again, winning games & having fun doing it were taken for granted at the time! I think the promotion to the old first division in 1986 did hit home somewhat as we all realised just what an achievement it was for such a small club as Wimbledon."
- What persuaded you to leave Wimbledon for Aston Villa in 1987?
After all the promotions and finishing 6th in our first season in top flight I thought Id achieved just about everything possible with WFC. For me personally I thought I needed a new challenge etc. Also Bassett was leaving, same with Hodges, Winterburn and a couple of others. It felt like the end of an era. To join a ‘big club’ such as Villa was a no-brainer, even though I was actually dropping down a division to do so.
- What was it like working with someone like Graham Taylor?
"Graham Taylor was simply the best manager I ever played under. Great man manager & motivator and just talked complete sense in my book. His track record said everything about him. His training sessions were interesting and challenging and I just loved being a part of the whole regime."
- How did it feel to be promoted to the top flight in your first season with the club?
"It was so important for a club the size of Aston Villa to get back into the top flight asap. I was used to playing in front of a few thousand home fans at Wimbledon, but then to join Villa was a whole new ball game as they took many thousands more fans than Wimbledon just to away matches! The whole club was geared up to be in the top division so to achieve that in our first season was a superb effort."
- How great was the season after, finishing second in the 1989/90 season?
"It was a bit unexpected to be honest, but after a few games of that season we hit upon a style of playing (3 centre-backs, wing-backs, Platt & Daley roaming everywhere) that just clicked. We gained confidence, were hard to beat & went on an amazing run to the top of the league & in all honesty should have powered through and won it! We hit a rough patch with a few games to go & it all crumbled a bit so opportunity missed."
- Finally, what would you say is the highlight of your playing career?
"I’m very proud that I represented England 5 times and went to the Youth World Cup in Australia in 1981. But apart from playing at Wembley, which I suppose is the usual players dream, my highlight is the whole promotion season 87-88 at Villa where I played in every minute of every game, 51 in total including all the cup games."
Clubs: Wimbledon (1980 - 1987), Aston Villa (1987 - 1991), Sheffield United (1991 - 1996), Preston North End (1996 - 1997) & Hull City (1997 - 1999).
Check out the Q&A below:
- Did anyone in particular inspire you to become a footballer?
"No one in particular as I didn’t really follow any one team or player as a kid. I lived in middle of Surrey and so didn’t go to watch pro games or support a ‘local’ side. I just watched football on the TV and supported most London based teams."
- How does it feel holding the record for the youngest player to play for Wimbledon?
"Its actually something I’m immensely proud of and mention it whenever the opportunity arises. I was also on the bench (but didn’t get on) aged 16 v Doncaster Rovers around March/ April on that 80-81 season."
- How did you feel about the Wimbledon side you were in being referred to as the ‘crazy gang’, and what was it like playing in that team?
"Its only when looking back do I realise just how special it truly was. By the time the ‘Crazy Gang’ nickname had evolved we’d already achieved the three promotions and were in the top division! It was just wonderful being part of a young, successful, bonded, group of men, living, working & growing up as people and players together. Again, its something I will always be a part of and something I’m so proud of."
- How much pride do you have in scoring in all four divisions in England?
"Its quite unique apparently, and I wasn’t striker either! My only regret (if you can call it that) is that I never scored in the Premier League too, as goals I scored for Sheff Utd in the top division were a season before the league was formed."
- What was it like being part of a team rising so rapidly up the football pyramid?
"At the time we didn’t attach too much importance to it & weren’t that surprised to be honest. We knew we were a good team & our style of play worked so we expected to be successful. Again, winning games & having fun doing it were taken for granted at the time! I think the promotion to the old first division in 1986 did hit home somewhat as we all realised just what an achievement it was for such a small club as Wimbledon."
- What persuaded you to leave Wimbledon for Aston Villa in 1987?
After all the promotions and finishing 6th in our first season in top flight I thought Id achieved just about everything possible with WFC. For me personally I thought I needed a new challenge etc. Also Bassett was leaving, same with Hodges, Winterburn and a couple of others. It felt like the end of an era. To join a ‘big club’ such as Villa was a no-brainer, even though I was actually dropping down a division to do so.
- What was it like working with someone like Graham Taylor?
"Graham Taylor was simply the best manager I ever played under. Great man manager & motivator and just talked complete sense in my book. His track record said everything about him. His training sessions were interesting and challenging and I just loved being a part of the whole regime."
- How did it feel to be promoted to the top flight in your first season with the club?
"It was so important for a club the size of Aston Villa to get back into the top flight asap. I was used to playing in front of a few thousand home fans at Wimbledon, but then to join Villa was a whole new ball game as they took many thousands more fans than Wimbledon just to away matches! The whole club was geared up to be in the top division so to achieve that in our first season was a superb effort."
- How great was the season after, finishing second in the 1989/90 season?
"It was a bit unexpected to be honest, but after a few games of that season we hit upon a style of playing (3 centre-backs, wing-backs, Platt & Daley roaming everywhere) that just clicked. We gained confidence, were hard to beat & went on an amazing run to the top of the league & in all honesty should have powered through and won it! We hit a rough patch with a few games to go & it all crumbled a bit so opportunity missed."
- Finally, what would you say is the highlight of your playing career?
"I’m very proud that I represented England 5 times and went to the Youth World Cup in Australia in 1981. But apart from playing at Wembley, which I suppose is the usual players dream, my highlight is the whole promotion season 87-88 at Villa where I played in every minute of every game, 51 in total including all the cup games."