Chris Oladogba Interview (23/04/13)

Interview by Matt Harris

Goalkeeper Chris Oladogba was an unknown quantity when he arrived at pre-season training in the summer, but having surprised the management team with his abilities he quickly won over the supporters with a string of fine performances in goal that saw him become the regular goalkeeper.

His is a rare story of a player wanting to test if they could still play at Senior level and ending up in a cup-winning side and playing at Wembley. In the lead up to the FA Vase Final, www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk caught up with Chris to ask him some questions…

TWFC: Chris, you showed up as an unknown quantity last summer for pre-season training. Tell us how you became a Tunbridge Wells player…

CO: I moved to Tunbridge Wells last summer and wanted to get back into non-league football. I’d been out of it for a while, so wanted to see if I could still compete at that level. So I looked at teams around the area. I emailed the club via the website. I guess the rest is history.

TWFC: You mention 'getting back' into non-league football. Had you played senior football before? What was it about The Wells that you really wanted to be a part of?

CO: I have played at senior level before with Croydon Athletic, Bromley and Merstham but took a break to go to University. After Uni I just played at amateur level with mates. I really wanted to see if I could play at non-league level again, though, so I looked for decent clubs in the area.

I emailed the website and didn't hear anything back for a while. To be honest I didn't think I would hear anything back. About a month later I got a call from the gaffer asking me to come down for pre-season.

TWFC: As you said, the rest is history… We’re at the back-end of your first season in which you’ve made the keepers’ gloves your own; been part of the first Tunbridge Wells side to win a trophy for 25 years; and you’re looking forward to playing at Wembley on May 4th. Pretty good, as far as debut seasons go, eh?

CO: Yeah, we’ve not done too bad have we? It's still pretty unbelievable what we've achieved this season and there's still more to come if we can get a result at Wembley. I honestly didn't think at the beginning of the season we'd be in the position we are now and have the amazing experiences we've had so far. I guess that's football for you - anything can happen! We've all worked hard this year and I guess this is our reward.

Of course, it's been fantastic for me coming into a pretty close-knit squad. The lads have been amazing helping me settle in straight from the off. That goes for the supporters too. They've been absolutely brilliant.

TWFC: We’re led to believe that this unbelievable success coincides with you taking charge of the music selection in the changing room on match days… Tell us more – who has benefitted the most from your musical touch?

CO: Ha! I'm not too sure about that, but I’m happy to take all the credit! I'm not actually too sure how I got to be responsible for the tunes in the changing room… Bourney asked me to bring some tunes in for matches pre-season and it’s stuck. I've not had any complaints from the lads yet - although Andy Irvine tried to take over the tunes one week. He's not been allowed back on since.

TWFC: At what point of our FA Vase run did you first start to think to yourself that this group of players could go all the way to Wembley?

CO: I think the win against Dunston really gave us the belief that we could go all the way in the Vase. We were on a massive high after that game and I think beating the holders gave us the confidence to push on.

TWFC: Your goalkeeping up at Shildon for that Semi-Final, Second Leg has been credited by some as what ultimately saw us through to the FA Vase Final… What was it like from where you were stood between the sticks? It must have felt like a roller-coaster at times…?

CO: I couldn't take all the credit for that game. I’m still kicking myself for letting three goals in. The four defenders playing in front of me have been absolutely outstanding this season, so credit has to go to them for making my job easier.

I've also got to give a special mention to our goalkeeper-coach Stewart Copeland for his coaching and support. Without it, I doubt I'd be able to pull off half those saves. Copes has got me in the best shape physically and mentally this season, so a lot of credit has to go to him too.

I think that game has to be one of the most hostile I've played in, a small selection of their fans tried their best to intimidate - but I guess you've just got to blank it out. To be honest it made me even more determined to make sure we beat them.

TWFC: Just how much do you reckon this group of players could achieve, going forwards together?

CO: I think we've got a very special group of players here at the moment and as long as we continue to work hard, the sky is the limit! Obviously we've got a special bond with us making it to Wembley together. If we can apply the same mentality and desire next season I don't see why we can't have a real drive at promotion.