Rochdale AFC

During the 2016-17 season, we asked supporters to send in questions for players/ Manager Keith Hill for our matchday programme feature 'Ask'. Every player (and Keith Hill) appeared in our 'Ask' feature during the course of the campaign, and we've been picking some of our favourite Q&As to recap. 

It would have to be the season when I was at Crystal Palace and we had points deducted for going into administration. 

With the deduction almost putting us bottom of the league, it came down to the final day of the season to try and stay up in the Championship.  We played Sheffield Wednesday and if they beat us, then they stayed up and we went down, and if we beat them or drew with them, then we stayed up and they went down. We drew 2-2 with them and ended up staying up.

We played away at their place and actually got mobbed by the Sheffield Wednesday fans when the final whistle went – it was carnage!

Definitely the goal I scored against Port Vale at home two years ago. If I recall correctly, I’d just come back from injury and the Gaffer put on me on for the last half an hour or so. Campsy crossed it with the last kick of the game and I headed it into the bottom corner of the net to keep our play-off hopes alive. I tried to jump into the crowd and I remember Beechy running down the length of the pitch to come and celebrate. It was a memorable moment. 

There’s a really good collective group of people here. From the management, to the players, to the club staff, everyone is really warm-hearted and share the same ambition to succeed and do well, and it’s a good place to be around. I know it’s a clichéd thing for people to say, but it is truly a family club and I think anyone who comes here automatically feels at home.

I’ve got an idea of what I’d potentially like to do. Before I played football, probably not many people will know this, but I did a lot of stage work and a lot of acting. I did bits and pieces in the West End, including being in Oliver as one of the kids. I played a lot of different sports as well and it was when I was about 15-years-old that I got picked up for football. 

I’d definitely like to get back into the stage work and acting because it’s a big passion of mine. As the lads know, I like to take centre stage in the dressing room and tell jokes or whatever. That’s definitely something I’d like to go into, but I also want to get my coaching badges done so I’ve got something to fall back on. So there’s nothing concrete but I’ve got options. 

I’ve always been like that, to be honest, and it’s probably down to the way I was brought up by my parents.
 

Life is too short so there’s no room to be down or spend it worrying, because everyone’s got the same problems. I like to think that I see the bright side in things and if that rubs off on other people, then that’s brilliant. I’m a happy guy. 

1. Harry J.All Stars – Liquidator. Every time we win, that’s the first song that comes on.

2. The Tourists – Run. Harrison [McGahey] loves this one.

3. Don’t stop ‘til you get enough – Michael Jackson. I can’t help but dance to it and you see some of the other lads who don’t really want to dance, moving a little bit to that one.

I spend a lot of time walking in the countryside - that’s the beauty of living up here and being out of the City. I also spend a lot of time with my family - family is very important to me. 

Jesus has got to be at the table. My Mum wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t say Jesus. 

Barak Obama would be another. I’d love to sit down with Obama to talk to him about his life and to learn more about how he ended up becoming President.

With Jesus and Obama there it would be a bit too serious so I’d need someone to have a laugh with as well. I’ve always found Cedric the Entertainer funny so he’d be there too – I’d like to understand his thoughts behind his comedy.

I’d also have my Mum and Dad at the table. Even at my age now, I’m still learning from them.