Interview ~ Steve Brown

The REAL Steve Brown - uncovered.

Exclusive interview with our own "Brownie"

Ted the Ed and myself spent a very warm, sunny hour in the main stand recently chatting to Steve and Oliver the boxer dog about all the things we thought you might be interested in. (It got even hotter under my collar when my Dictaphone packed up and I had to practice my shorthand, so I hope Steve will forgive us if we haven't quoted him entirely accurately.)

WWISC: How did you get involved in football in the first place?

STEVE: I spent a lot of time playing schoolboy football, and had a lot of trials for different dubs. I had just finished college and a mate of mine told me he was going for trials at Northampton, so I went along with him to try out with them. After two days and a wait, I found out I'd been selected as an apprentice, and it's just gone on from there, really.

WWISC: What's been your most important game for Wycombe?

STEVE: I haven't seen any game as more important than another. At 3pm on any Saturday afternoon, that's the most important game at that moment. What's been your most embarrassing moment I remember the second game back after my ankle injury against Bristol Rovers here. "Belly" crossed the ball in really well, and I managed to head the ball out from under the bar to over it!! It didn't really matter at the end of the day, I managed to redeem myself when I got the winner after having set up the first goal for "Stalls" and he returned the favour.

WWISC: What was your best goal?

STEVE: I scored a cracker against Halifax Town when I was playing for Northampton, that's one I really remember. 

WWISC: What was it like going back to Northampton this season?

STEVE: It was quite nice; I've never played at that ground. I was a bit disappointed at the reception I got and that I wasn't held in the same regard as when I'd played there. I think it's small minded of people who think Mickey Bell hasn't bettered himself by going to Bristol City to give him grief. He made the right decision for himself, both financially and career wise - he could have gone to Fulham for £1 million, but he'd have spent another year in the Second Division as it looks like City are going up, so he'll be in the First Division next year. We all make decisions that we think are right for us at the time. I wouldn't want to be in the same position as him - it's easy to say he's been greedy, but we've all got to get what we can out of the game. I got a lot of earache at Northampton and a lot of stuff was said, which was a shame.

WWISC: Do you feel the interview on Bluesline backfired on you?

STEVE: No I don't. A lot of what was said was having a personal pop at myself, and it doesn't take an expert to work out that it was all a bit of a storm in a tea cup. They didn't use it to wind their players up, there was a big scene, but there's been a lot worse things said on clublines.

WWISC: What do you think of their new ground?

STEVE: Not bad at all, and it's nice to see them going on to better things. I hope they do get the success they deserve. Its my home town dub and they're there on merit, but it'll be nice for us to meet them in the play-offs...

WWISC: How much of a shock was it, John Gregory leaving?

STEVE: It was a massive shock. I couldn't believe it; I didn't want to believe it. I felt it as a big personal loss. He used to shout and scream at us from the touchline but that was frustration at not being able to play. I was at home, turned on Sky Sports Centre, and I saw JG on it, and I thought "oh, he's bought a new player" until I saw the AST sign behind, realized it was Villa, so I turned the volume up. When I realized what was happening it was a great shock and I phoned "Belly" straight away. He'd only been here 18 months, things were starting to come together, but Neil's in the driving seat now and he's a credit to himself.

WWISC: How would you compare the managers you've played under at Wycombe?

STEVE: They've all had their own ideas about the way the game should be played. I've always played to the best of my ability I had six different managers at Northampton - I always try to do as well for myself as I can. 

WWISC: Would you like to see Nell Smillie as manager?

STEVE: My philosophy on life is that everyone's worth a chance. I've got a lot of time for Neil, I trained with him and the boys when I was injured and his enthusiasm's superb. I certainly wouldn't rule him out.

WWISC: How do you see your future and ambitions over the next few years?

STEVE: Well, I'm out of contract in the summer. For the last 10 years I've had to eat, drink and sleep football, and I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute, but there comes a time when it will come to an end. I've been a nightmare to live with at times, until the next good game or performance. I've been going to college in the evenings, learning about computers. Coming home from college, learning again, making provision for the future is very challenging. When the time comes, I'll be happy to get 500 League games under my belt and walk into something different.

WWISC: What about coaching or managing?

STEVE: Ah well, that could open a can of worms. What disappoints me about coaching badge is that as a Professional footballer I still need a badge to coach. Everyone should be able to coach; school teachers (and I mean no disrespect) haven't got the same ability as ex-footballers. Lots of jobs these days need a badge, and I feel that having played under 9 managers should stand me in good enough stead. I mean, Ruud Gullit wouldn't be asked for his coaching badge, would he? As for managing, no-one's approached me, but I haven't really considered it.

WWISC: What career would have attracted you if you'd not become a footballer?

STEVE: Cricket. My dad really pushed me in to cricket, and the more he did that the more I dug my heels in- He would have driven me the length and breadth of the country to play cricket, but he wouldn't watch me play football. I was quite good at cricket but Northamptonshire haven't got much of a youth cricket set up.

WWISC: How do you maintain your level of fitness?

STEVE: By eating properly, and living properly. That and the training we do here. In the summer I take a month off and do absolutely nothing, then I start running and doing a lot of rowing. When I was at school we got a good meal at lunchtime - these days kids aren't taught to eat properly. It's great in the summer, lots of BBQ's with fresh salads and things, but in the winter it seems to be chips with everything and fast food.

WWISC: If you could change anything about your game, what would it be?

STEVE: If I did that, I wouldn't be the person I am now, so I wouldn't change anything. John Gregory's enthusiasm used to get me all fired up, then he'd tell me to go out and not get booked. I've now gone seven games without a booking! (And at the moment I don't look like getting booked). Before, I was wanting to win tackles I couldn't possibly hope to win.

WWISC: What position/formation do you prefer to play in?

STEVE: I like playing with three in mid-field, like we are at the moment. When me and Davie get the ball we seem to have developed an understanding lately without any effort, and I like that, it seems to work when Gav’s pushed up a bit too.

WWISC: Would you say you had a quick temper?

STEVE: No.

WWISC: Do referees wind you up?

STEVE: No, there are some good referees around at the moment. There's a Scouser and a Geordie that seems okay and seems to talk to you on the same level. Referees have to be cautious these days because with the assessors in the stands they can't be seen to be over friendly with anyone. Some of them you can go up to and say "I think you got that wrong" and they'll say yes, perhaps they did, or they'll admit in the game that they had made a mistake. The game's changed over the last 20 years, referees haven't. TV cameras and the media have made it harder for them. They have to make split second decisions. Top managers are using their influence with the FA to avoid particular referees in their matches and that's not right.

WWISC: What about you’re "Bad Boy" reputation?

STEVE: You've got me all wrong I'm like the boy next door. The bad boy reputation just isn't me I'll admit I'm competitive - if I'm playing Scrabble or on a PlayStation I would want to win that. I can't play anything to come second. Schools don't seem to have Sports Days any more where kids learn about competition and winning, they have "Fun Days", where the person who comes in last is treated the same as the person who's won.

WWISC: You always seem really embarrassed when the crowd chant your name. Is there any reason for this?

STEVE: Oh, it's not embarrassment. Hearing chanting is a lovely feeling, and it brings a smile to my face. It's a feeling of being wanted. I don't like it when I hear fans booing when certain names get read out from the Team Sheet, I don't think that's right, but chanting gives me a nice feeling.

WWISC: Which team did you support as a boy?

STEVE: Nottingham Forest as a kid - just for the way Brian Clough had everything set up just the way he wanted. There were no stupid training sessions, sometimes just a walk along the Trent. Martin O'Neil played there when Clough was there, and it was one of the reasons I wanted to come here, I thought, "if I can't play under Clough, Martin's the next best thing".

WWISC: Which is your favourite ground?

STEVE: Adams Park is my favourite, especially since the new stand was built. I took the dog up to the top and had a good look at the way it's been constructed, it's amazing. The view from the top is incredible. If we had that on both sides it would be really intimidating. Teams come here but they don't see the stand until they come out of the tunnel. I'm sure they raise their game because of the ground and the pitch. Jim deserves ‘Groundsman of the Year’ again.

WWISC: Bearing in mind the recent Collymore/Harkness incident, has anything similar happened to you?

STEVE: The Kick It Out Campaign is the biggest "let's do something about X' the FA have come up with. Racism shouldn't be allowed in society at all. Too many refs turn a blind eye to the problem, and that's where the root of the problem is. I don't think it's too bad in the Premiership - they seem to have it about right there, the media and all. I got some abuse at Gillingham and Stockport, but it doesn't bother me. I'm always going to have skin this colour - if other people have got a problem with that it's their problem. I think paying punters have got the right to say what they want. On my debut at Mansfield I had coins chucked at me, but you've got to be big enough to take it. I had the chance to quit then, but I love football too much. What are your chances of getting into the Jamaica World Cup Squad? They've done really well to get to the World Cup Finals. If they'd used all the resources they've got around the world it wouldn't have taken so long, they should have done it years ago. They started out a bit like a Conference side, but have get better, got a few good results, and they are now at the Finals. I'm not really on the Bandwagon, every black kid in this country wants to play for England, but if they are also eligible for Jamaica or the other Caribbean islands, they should take the chance. I can't really miss a chance I never had.

WWISC: What do you think of England's chances of winning?

STEVE: They did really well in the European Championships, and last year in France, so I think the level of expectancy has gone up. I think it's too high, now they're dealing with the cream of the world. Not just in Europe.

WWISC: Who do you room share with on away trips?

STEVE: It used to be "Belly", but it's Rhino now. You've got to be compatible to share, and we've got a lot in common. We like the same music, golf. Arsenal, and lots more in common. I think we're both winners too, I'd want him in my army if I was going to war, and I hope he'd want me.

WWISC: Have you still got your Player Of The Season Awards?

STEVE: Yes, I was looking at both of them yesterday - The Bucks Free Press one and yours. Who do you think is the best player in the country at the moment? That's an outrageous question. I can't answer that - it's impossible to say, there's an abundance of talent. All players go through good spells and bad spells. You can't single one out. Michael Owen's doing really well at the moment, and Robbie Fowler's not doing so well. But Robbie hasn't turned into a bad player overnight. Chris Sutton's doing well now, he got criticized for not playing for the England B Team, but he felt he was good enough for the main squad. Strikers normally have bigger egos than anyone else on the park.

WWISC: Can Wycombe still make it to the play-offs?

STEVE: I wouldn't rule us out yet. 1 remember Carlisle being about 14` at about this time, and they had a really good run, not losing a game for the rest of the season until they got to the play-offs. We've got to get something out of the Wrexham game though. I've already told "Belly" we'll win next time we play them, and I fancy us at Oldham. The rest is in our own hands; we've got some big games coming up. If we're still playing like this at Easter, we're in with a chance. We have played some awful football this season, but some real quality games too.

WWISC: Would we stay up if we got up?

STEVE: I don't see why not - look at Stockport, they're a smaller club than us, and they're holding their own in the First Division. We've drawn a lot of games, but we've only lost 2 at home all season. We've got a sound financial footing which is the key to success. Once up, all you can do is to try and consolidate - if you do well you're only one step away from the Premiership!! This is a club built and geared for the First Division. And up there, every other game is a big one - with teams like QPR and Manchester City, say. 

WWISC: Would you stay?

STEVE: I couldn't say - I've got an Agent for that sort of thing. We'll have to wait and see.

FINAL NOTE: All that remains is for us to thank Steve for giving up an hour of his time to speak to us. We sincerely hope he renews his contract at Wycombe this summer, and we get to see him playing in a Wycombe shirt in the First Division next season. Co me on, you Blues!!