Ten questions with Mick 'Baz' Rathbone in some dodgy services on the M62
We knew that it was going to be a great interview when Baz insisted on getting the coffees in saying, 'You've paid my wages for the past 10 years'.
- 1. Phil Neville wrote the forward in your book, The Smell of Football, why did you pick the Everton Captain?
I asked Phil because he's the best player that I've ever worked with. He's very enthusiastic, even on a Monday morning when it's pissing down with rain. He's like me in a way, always wanting to do his best in every session and is a great ambassador for the club. When he came to Everton he helped lift the club onto another level. He's also become a great friend of mine.
- 2. What made you choose to become a physiotherapist?
I originally wanted to become a doctor but ended up becoming a professional footballer, a road that both my Dad and headmaster at my local Grammar School were fervently against. After my professional footballing days were over I went to University to study physiotherapy and I feel that I was born to do this job.
- 3. How did the move to Everton from Preston come about?
David asked me to come along to join his team at Everton. It was a very tough decision to make. My family were settled in that area and it meant a big upheaval but the pull of a Premier League Club was so great plus they gave me a Jag, which I couldn't believe I had.
- 4. How did you come to terms with moving into the Premier League with Everton?
The players soon accepted me. It was a big advantage being an ex professional footballer. Early on I was asked to help out with Chris Woods with the goalkeepers, give them some shooting practice and it helped when my first three shots fizzed in past Steve Simonsen. The players soon began to respect me. Moving to Everton was big in every sense. Pre-season training I was travelling business class to Switzerland, Thailand and the USA as opposed to Morecambe and the Isle of Man. Everything was bigger and better and I loved it.
- 5. Who are the fittest players at the club?
All the players, without exception are incredibly fit these days. Tim Cahill, Jags, Bainsey and Rodwell are top class.
- 6. Who are the worst trainers and moaners at the club?
Nobody is unfit at all but Yak and Joseph Yobo don't like the long distance training but on the short stuff they are outstanding. Yak has done well to get back his fitness level from an atrocious achilles injury. Alan Stubbs is the biggest moaner. They need me to make up the numbers for a small sided game once and Stubbsey never shut up swearing at me as I miss placed a pass. A nice fella and a passionate Evertonian though.
- 7. You say in the book that you have become firm friends with Duncan Ferguson, how did that relationship come about?
My first day at Bellefield, I had denim jeans and jacket on. I heard a loud voice in a strong Scottish accent shouting 'Fuck me. Have you clocked the new physio? It's Bob the fucking builder!'It was Duncan Ferguson. He introduced himself by saying 'I am Big Dunc. I've finished a few physios careers.'
'Thats ok' I replied 'I've finished a few players careers.' He loved that, laughed out loud and patted me on the back and walked out. Dunc had suffered from a muscle problem which wouldn't heal. I thought it the problem was with the nerve running under the muscle. I decided he should have surgery. It was a great success and he did not miss another game through injury for 3 years. Although he missed dozens through suspensions and fights with local burglers
Duncan is a shy lad but after working with him on a daily basis over time we became friends. That much so that he invited my wife and I to his sons christening, not many people are invited into the big man's inner sanctum and I was privileged.
- 8. You mention so many good things about working at Everton in your book, what is your favourite Everton moment and your worst moment at Everton?
I always say that working at Goodison park on a match day is a tremendous feeling. There is a special bond with the fans. The best instance of that was at the famous derby match when Lee Carsley scored his goal. I was at the Bullens Road end of the ground as I'd been treating someone with an injury. When his shot went in the noise was phenomenal and the ground was shaking, this was more apparent as I looked at the water bottle I was holding in my hand, the water inside it was splashing all over the bottle with the movement......I'll remember that moment forever.
The worst moment came one night in a hot El Madrigal Stadium in Spain when a certain Pierluigi Collina disallowed a perfectly good Duncan Fergusson goal and we ended up losing the tie. David and Alan (Irvine) thought that had we progressed to the next stage of the Champions League it would have given the club the financial muscle to succeed.....a bad night.
- 9. Tell us about how you left Everton?
The season prior to my leaving I'd spoken to David saying that I was becoming tired. I'd been in the game for eighteen years and maybe it was time to move on but decided to carry on for another season. During that season two or three times I'd got it into my head that it was time to go, that I had to move on and I'd gone to knock on the managers door but didn't. David came to me and made the decision for me by saying that he thought that it was time to make a change. It was the right decision to make. David and myself will always remain friends we've worked together for fifteen years. I recently met up with him for a coffee and we had a laugh and a chat about old times.
- 10. What's the future for Baz Rathbone?
Me, I've taken a year out to write this book and do some private physio work. I'm now working with the England U17's on a part time basis but thoroughly enjoying it. I've also stared to do some work for Coventry City which I'm delighted about after my break. I'm ready to give the full time football physio role another go for a few more years yet.
A big thanks to Baz, who signed a copy of his book "The Smell Of Success". You can have a chance of winning the book by clicking here.
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