Perry Spackman Interview (25/04/13)

Interview by Matt Harris

Perry Spackman joined Tunbridge Wells from near-neighbours Sevenoaks Town a couple of seasons back and has become a key part of the defence here at Culverden. He built a decent rapport with the supporters long before he rose above everyone else up at Shildon to score the winning goal two minutes from the end of extra-time and seal The Wells’ place in this year’s FA Vase Final.

For the latest in our series of interviews leading up to the club’s date at Wembley, www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk begins to uncover why first team manager Martin Larkin believes that the changing room would be a very different place without him…

TWFC: Perry, you’ve been with us a couple of years now. How did you originally come to link up with The Wells?

PS: I left Sevenoaks Town with Benji Agana when Bob Pittaway was sacked. Benji dragged me down to Tunbridge Wells to see how it was and let Martin have a look at me. Of course, once they saw me play the rest was history.

TWFC: It was your goal that ultimately secured our passage to Wembley when you popped up with an extra-time header at Shildon. Walk us through it… What was it like to be able to reel away and celebrate with the travelling contingent who’d erupted to the side of the goal?

PS: It’s quite amusing really. I was supposed to be at the front post, but Irvs [Andy Irvine] was struggling and told me to attack it. I had a wrestle with two of them to try and make space for others, then realised in the air that I could get on the end of it.

Once I opened my eyes I realised it was in, and knowing my friends and family were behind that goal I ran and dived in… My mum’s still recovering from the body slam!

TWFC: We’ve been hearing how the reality of playing at Wembley hasn’t kicked in with several of the players yet. Did attending the Media Day there help it sink in for you? What was that like?

PS: The media day definitely made it hit home finally - what we have achieved and what an accomplishment it is by the whole club. The media day was an amazing experience, and something I will never forget.

I was an absolute natural in front of the cameras (not my words). I just can’t wait to be there with the boys and all the support to soak it all in on May 4th.

TWFC: At what point on this Vase run did you start to think that Wembley could be a possibility? Was there a particular incident or goal that started to make you believe The Wells could go all the way?

PS: To be honest, it only really sunk in when we were in Durham for the Second Leg of the Semi Final, sat in our hotel rooms on our own thinking “we are one game away”.

With all the postponements, we hadn't had time for the cup run or the achievement to sink in properly. Obviously after I headed the winner two minutes from time, and our messy coach journey home after there was time to enjoy it.

TWFC: You’re part of something special at Culverden. Can you tell us what it means to Perry Spackman personally, and the team generally, to have picked up Tunbridge Wells’ first senior trophy for 25 years?

PS: Well, it means a lot to get reward for all our time and effort. We are a tight-knit group that have nearly achieved things in the past, and it’s not been enough. So finally to get rewarded for all our hard work has been amazing - even though I got concussed [in the Kent Senior Trophy Final] and remember nothing, I still have the medal.

Wembley will be the last game ‘Sausage Nose’ [Andy McMath] plays for us, so it will be amazing to see him off in the right way on the pitch at Wembley as well as off the pitch after.

TWFC: The bond within the team and between the supporters is incredible right now. Part of the team bonding is the banter of course... we understand from your team mates that you have recently fallen in love. Care to elaborate?

PS: Yes, there has been some banter about me finally falling in love, but the new boots I’ve been given for Wembley are amazing. They’re beautiful, and I wouldn’t swap them for anything!

The banter is what drives us together with the fans and between the lads. There’s some terrible banter from the likes of Pilbs [Jon Pilbeam] and Jason Barton, and some decent banter from characters like Joe Fuller and [Ola]dogba, and obviously me.

There’s also a pocket of the crowd that have been there supporting us, and me, all season. I can't thank them enough for their support, and special thanks go to them for their loyalty throughout the whole season.

TWFC: How does this team improve on an incredible year when it kicks-off next season? What do you think could ensure that happens?

PS: Obviously keeping the boys together is the main aim, and adding a couple just to strengthen - but not disturbing my dressing room (because it is my dressing room…)

As long as we keep the same attitude, we can achieve anything next year. And of course my partner in crime here in defence Whibbles [Scott Whibley] should not be chief scout again…