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GENERAL
Blue
Kipper: Dave or David?
Unsey: Either
Blue
Kipper: Unsey or Rhino?
Unsey:
Unsey
Blue
Kipper: First
time around or second time around? After
a long pause.
Unsey: second
time around
Blue
Kipper: This time tomorrow you will be getting ready to walk out for
your testimonial. How does it feel?
Unsey:
I'm very nervous. I'm normally not nervous at all.
Tomorrow all my family will be there. I've got people coming over from
Ireland. All my friends will be here. It's all for me. It's amazing how
it's come this far.
Blue
Kipper: What will you be doing tonight?
Unsey:
I'm picking people up from the airport, & we'll be having a meal.
Just relaxing.
Blue
Kipper: Who's playing for the old boys?
Unsey:
Snods, Sharpey, John Bailey, Derek Mountfield, plus some fans who have
paid to play. My mate is playing for us, & my brother in law is playing
for them, so they will be getting stuck into each other.
Blue
Kipper: Any advice for Lard, my brother who is playing for EVERTON
OLD BOYS V redshite tomorrow He can't sleep.
Unsey: Yeah, nutmeg a red, kick a
red and score.
CAREER
Blue
Kipper: Can
you still remember your debut Goal against Tottenham at White Hart Lane
in April 1992?
Unsey:
Yeah, in every detail. It was a corner and Mark
Ward told me to push up which I did and then the ball just came across
to the edge of the box, a gap opened and I just hit it and it flew in.
Blue
Kipper: Rhino, which do u class as the best goal you have scored for
the toffees
Unsey:
Aston Villa away a couple of seasons ago.
I hit a scissors kick and ran off to celebrate holding
the badge on my shirt towards all the Villa fans. I just kept running.
Blue
Kipper: Which is the best game you have played in?
Unsey:
Semi final win against Tottenham 1995 it just had everything.
Every player played out of their skins.We
were the underdogs but we battered them 4 -1.
Blue
Kipper: We
were all proud of your performance when you put Mark Hughes in your pocket
at Wembley, whilst obviously being proud of the winners medal, how personally
did you feel about your performance that day?
Unsey:
I thought I played well but others played well also.
Dave Watson and Joe Parkinson both had great
games.
Blue
Kipper: The
Arsenal game at Goodison a few years ago when Ian Wright was in his pomp,
you got taken off at half time, what was that like? Was it your worst
ever moment for EFC?
Unsey:
Yeah I had a bad game so they took me off. I don't
think I've got a worst ever moment, I've had bad games but none stick
in my mind that I'd define as the worst game.
Blue
Kipper: How did you feel on hearing the first "Unsworth for England"
shouts from GP?
Unsey:
At first I thought they meant my caps for the under
21s but when I thought about it they were shouting about me getting a
full cap and its one of the best things that has ever happened to me.
When the Everton fans at Goodison chant your name its fantastic.
Blue
Kipper: Was 1995 your best year? FA Cup medal & England Cap?
Unsey:
Yes it was for the team, but for me, tomorrow's
testimonial caps the lot. I don't think you
can get any better than that.
Blue
Kipper: What
went wrong after 1996? I think many Evertonians felt that the cup win
of 1995 and the subsequent 6th place finish in 1996 had more or less meant
we had turned the corner on a permanent basis. Yet the following season
1996-97 we started OK then slipped away so badly we could have gone down
then all of a sudden its back to normal. Unsey played through that period
so why did it revert to the norm and why were we unable to maintain the
level we had set ourselves over 18 months?
Unsey:
I think that team broke up too early. Ammo went
and then Anders left, if we could have kept hold of those players and
added to the squad then we could have built on a good team and continued
to be successful. It wasn't as though we didn't have the money, as we
signed Kanchelsis for £6m or £7m.
Blue
Kipper: What
was it like as a young 21 year old to play in the FA cup final.
Unsey:
It was fantastic. To win against Man United at Wembley
when they were odds on favourites to win, it was a fantastic achievement.
The age didn't matter, I just played my normal game. I didn't think about
it. To walk out at Wembley with all the Everton fans cheering us on was
unbelievable.
Blue
Kipper: What
has been the highlight of your Everton career SO FAR?
Unsey:
Its got to be the testimonial tomorrow, nothing
can compare with this.
Blue
Kipper: How
did it feel like having Jorgen Klinnsmam & Mark Hughes in your asre
pocket in the 95' semi & cup final & what is the best game you've
played in...?
Unsey:
Like I've said before the Tottenham semi-final was
the best game I've played in. But when you're a professional you don't
stop and think about who you're playing against, you just play your normal
game.
Blue
Kipper: You
started out as a centre forward. Who changed your way of thinking and
made you a defender?
Unsey:
At school I was a centre forward, but I got moved
to left midfield and I joined Everton as a left midfield player. While
I was in the youth team I was moved back and played centre half and left
back. Now it seems as if I've come full circle because I'm now playing
on the left side of midfield again.
Blue
Kipper: What
the fuck were you doing on the right hand side of the box when you scored
that screamer at Spurs?
Unsey:
As I've answered before, I just drifted over to
that side of the box and the ball found its way to me and I scored.
Blue
Kipper: I
think that you should have had at least a couple more caps, do you?
Unsey: I would
have loved to have had the chance to play for England again. I played
that game against Japan and I got man of the match from a couple of the
reports. But the next two games I was left on the bench and never got
a call again. Which was disappointing as I thought I'd done enough to
receive another call up.
Unsey
@ The Park End with The Blue Kipper Card, Today
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CURRENT SQUAD
Blue
Kipper: Who
do you think Everton's top scorer will be this season?
Unsey:
Duncan. I think he'll be back fit in a couple of
weeks. He's so frustrated with the injury and is really up for it. He's
got the arm band and I really think he'll score some goals this season.
Blue Kipper: Where
are you happier playing, midfield or defence?
Unsey:
Definitely midfield because your
more involved and the boss allows me to get forward and all players like
the chance to score goals, and I'm no different.
Blue Kipper: Do
you think there is anyone else in the current squad who cares more about
EFC then you do?
Unsey:
Yes definitely, well at least the same as me. Stubbsy
is a great Evertonian. Duncan loves the club. Now we have the likes of
Wayne Rooney, Tony Hibbert and Kevin McLeod who are all mad Evertonians.
But even the other players are all up for it this season.
Blue
Kipper: Who
gets wound up the most before a game?
Unsey:
Duncan and me. Especially before derby games.
Blue
Kipper: Do
you have any superstitions or things you do before you play?
Unsey:
Not really, but I always touch the Everton sign in the tunnel.
MOYESY
Blue
Kipper: Do you think Everton have the capabilities to achieve something
big in the future under David Moyes?
Unsey: Yes I do. You can't
tell me that Blackburn are a better side than us and they way we are playing
now, the boss has us pressing the opposition all the time, it's geared
to cup football, so I reckon we've got a good chance in the cup competitions.
To be honest I don't think we'll win the league this season, but I'm not
saying this in a negative way, we'll still be going out to win every game.
I don't think we'll be battling against relegation like we have done for
the last couple of seasons, I reckon we'll be playing for a place above
mid table.
Blue
Kipper: What
is the difference in his relationship with Moyes as opposed to Smith?
Unsey:
I've been given more freedom to get forward in midfield
with the boss, but with Walter I was moved about, I was left back one
week centre half the next and substitute the week after, so you confidence
goes a little bit. Confidence plays such a big part, and I've got my confidence
back with the new boss.
Blue
Kipper: Why
did you improve dramatically under Moyes?
Unsey:
See above
Blue
Kipper: David Moyes's introduction as manager last season seemed to
turn your season around totally. What did he say or do to ignite the way
you play?
Unsey:
He didn't say anything in particular, but his man
management skills seem to work with me, and like I said before he's picked
me in one position and he seems confident
in my ability.
Blue
Kipper: What is the difference in training under Moyesy than Smith?
Unsey:
We are much fitter as a team, we come back and do
afternoon sessions and the players are enjoying it, it's not a chore for
them they're really enjoying it as they can see the difference. Also we
work on tactics more with the boss. He pulls you to one side and points
out various things that he wants you to do. Walter tended to let you get
on with it.
Blue
Kipper: Have
all the visits to France & the dentists helped?
Unsey: All the squad have been to France to visit this clinic. We
have had every test you can think of, we've had our eyes tested and our
teeth tested. We've had blood taken and annalysed and been given vitamin
to supplement were neccessary.Every player has been given an individual
training assessment and plan.It seems to have worked as we all feel fitter.
We are the only premiership squad to have had this.
MANAGERS
Blue
Kipper: Best
Everton Manager?
Unsey:
Joe Royle, but hopefully it will be David Moyes
in a couple of years time.
Blue
Kipper: Was
it Walter Smith's instructions that the team got the ball forward from
Defence to attack with one pass?
Unsey: Walter had lots of injuries to key players especially up front,
where he had to bring Duncan, Kevin Campbell and Thomasz Radzinski back
to first team duty when they weren't fully fit. So some games you seem
to just have to defend for 90 minutes.
PERSONAL
Blue
Kipper: Who is your best Friend at Everton FC? He
looks at me with a puzzled look on his face and I explain that I am only
asking the question.
Unsey:
I don't have a best friend as such, I play a lot
of golf with Steve Simonsen, but I wouldn't say he was my best friend.
Blue
Kipper: Run
us through what you were thinking when you ran along the whole length
of the Doug Ellis stand after scoring against Villa.
Unsey:
I thought it was the best goal I've scored for Everton
and I'd been getting a bit of stick from the Villa boo boys and when I
scored I just turned and run down the pitch holding the Everton badge
on my shirt.
Blue
Kipper: Like
putting two fingers up to them?
Unsey:
Yeah
Blue
Kipper: Having been at Everton for 12 years, you must know how the
Everton fans feel about players who profess to love the club then end
up leaving shortly after, such as Michael Ball, Nick Barmby and Frannie
Jeffers. Do you feel the same way, or is it just part and parcel of being
a professional footballer?
Unsey:
A bit of both I think. In Frannies case it was a
career move, but he's on the phone to Jimmy Commer the Everton masseur
once a week asking how all the lads are, so he still
misses Everton. Don't be surprised if you see Frannie again. With Nick
Barmby I couldn't believe it when I heard he'd gone over to the dark side.
It's a thing that I could never do even if they offered me millions. I
was quite pally with Nick as our families got on well together. I didn't
speak to him till about a month later. The only thing I asked him was
whether he'd received any threats. He said that he'd had to blacken his
car windows. I don't think he realised the strength of feeling.
Blue
Kipper: Who is the toughest player you have come up against and which
player would you love to punch fuck out of?
Unsey:
The toughest player was Mick Hartford of Wimbledon,
I used to get elbowed and bruised by him and I'd give him it back but
he was tough.
Blue
Kipper: I
remember you driving out of Goodison the day After Dunc had been sold
with a face like thunder. What was going through your mind?
Unsey:
Yeah I remember that night. All the players couldn't
believe that the club was in such a state that it was selling its best
player. When everybody knew that Duncan didn't want to leave.
Blue Kipper: Where does he think he plays better, left mid or left
back
Unsey:
Left mid
Blue
Kipper: How
did it come about that you took penalties?
Unsey:
I always took them I took them at school. I took my first one against
Leeds and scored and I've always taken them since.
Blue
Kipper: Rodrigo took a pen against Wrexham. Who will take it if we
get one against Spurs?
Unsey:
I've had a word with him already. I'll be taking
the penalties.
Blue
Kipper: Do you like your Rhino nickname? Have you any others?
Unsey:
I didn't at first but I've got used to it now, no
I've got no other nicknames.
Blue
Kipper: No one can ever say your head goes down when things aren't
going well for you or the team. Is it hard to keep positive when you hear
fans booing \shouting abuse at you?
Unsey:
Yes it is hard, but you've just got to get on with
it. You can hear groups of fans chanting but you can't actually hear individual
shouting. You can feel the atmosphere when things are going bad, but as
I've said you've just got to get on with it. You try and play the best
you can. Sometimes you can play yourself out of it, other times you can't,
but no matter what you still try your best.
Blue
Kipper: Who's the best player you have played with?
Unsey:
Dave Watson as a defender and Anders Limpar was
the most skillful player I've ever played with.
Blue Kipper: What size shorts do you wear?
Unsey:
XL but so do a lot of the others such as Duncan
and Stubbsy.
Blue
Kipper: Rumour
has it you chinned Jeffers' - is this true?
Unsey:
I've
given him a few clips around the ankles. I might have hit him having a
laugh.
Blue
Kipper: What
is your normal match day routine if you are playing at home?
Unsey:
Get up normal time and have breakfast. Go for a
walk around the local park just to relax. I get to the ground quite early
and have a couple of cups of coffee and read the programme. Sort out the
tickets for my family and get ready for the game.
Blue
Kipper: Who do you share a room with on away games and do you have
any dirt on them or any of your other teammates?
Unsey:
Sometimes its Simo but also I sometimes try and get a room on my own.
VILLA & WEST HAM
Blue
Kipper: Does he remembers exactly what John Gregory said when Dave
stated he wanted to come home?
Unsey:
Yeah, he said "Fuck off" and then I told
him I was serious because he thought that I was joking. Then my agent
seen him and said it would be better if they released an unhappy player,
which they did in the end.
Blue
Kipper: How did he feel when he was told about the west ham bid?
Unsey:
Howard Kendall asked me around to his house
which was close to mine anyway, he told me that
I was third or fourth in line and that he wanted to bring in a midfielder.
West Ham had said that they could have Williamson if I was part of the
deal, I was totally shocked and didn't want to go but ended up going to
talk to Harry Rednapp and I ended up going as part of the deal.
Blue
Kipper:What really happened to bring you back to Everton via Villa
?
Unsey:
Waggy phoned me and said that Walter might be interested
in bringing me back to Goodison and was I interested. I told him definitely,
at the same time West Ham agreed a fee with Aston Villa. So I got back
on the phone to Waggy and asked what was going on and were Everton going
to put a bid in for me or what. I heard nothing for a few days so I thought
that it wasn't going to come to anything, so I agreed to join Villa. Then
the day after I got contacted to say that Everton were going to bid for
me in the end. The reason for the delay was that Walter Smith and Bill
Kenwright were in the South of France negotiating with John Collins and
Olivier Decourt.
Blue
Kipper: Why did you want to come HOME?
Unsey:
I'm an Evertonian.
Blue
Kipper: How do the Fans of West Ham and the fans of Everton differ?
Unsey:
They're very similar, I had a good year at West
Ham and the fans were very supportive. They love their football just like
the Everton fans but on a smaller scale.
Blue
Kipper: When you where at Villa, John Gregory gave you a bit of stick
in the press about your missus wearing the pants etc. because you wanted
to return to Everton. Did you chin him or just give him verbals back?
Unsey:
He never said anything to my face, he wouldn't.
Blue
Kipper: Was the day Everton sold you to west ham the saddest day as
an Everton player?
Unsey:
I was very unhappy at going.
MISC
Blue
Kipper: WILL YOU PLEASE BOOT BARMBY ABOUT 9 FOOT IN THE AIR IF HE
EVER PLAYS AGAINST US AGAIN?. I THINK THAT THE HONOUR SHOULD TRULY GO
TO A REAL BLUE WHO WOULDN'T DREAM ABOUT SIGNING FOR THE RED SH*TE
Unsey:
(laughing) yes OK
Blue Kipper: What did you say to Barmby when you found out he was
joining the Red shite?
Unsey:
Nothing I never spoke to him.
Blue
Kipper: Do you hate them as much as the fans as you are a fan yourself?
Unsey:
When I'm playing against them I want to win more
than anything, it's the biggest thrill when we beat them.
Blue
Kipper: Who is the best Striker that you've come up against?
Unsey:
Denis Bergkamp
Blue
Kipper: What did you think of the welcome at the Blue Kipper do?
Unsey:
(laughing) It was great, just what I'd expect from
a gang of Evertonians.
Blue
Kipper: Do you read BLUE KIPPER and any chance of a couple of crystal
glasses to go with me champers?
Unsey:
Yes I read it. Is this from the fella who I gave
the Champagne to? He'll have to get his own glasses.
Blue Kipper: Have u a fav team to play against?
Unsey:
I love the derbys especially when we win.
Blue Kipper: After playing, you recently said you would like to
be Everton Manager. Why?
Unsey:
I still think I've got 6 or 7 years to play, hopefully
that will be at Everton. I fancy taking up coaching and eventually being
a manager and who wouldn't want to be a manager of this club?
Blue
Kipper: You
come across very well when interviewed. Do you get pushed forward by Everton
to meet the press, as opposed to Mark Pembridge?
Unsey:
No, I just answer the questions truthfully, as the
fans can see when you're
just coming out with cliché's. Some players don't like talking
to reporters but it doesn't bother me.
Blue
Kipper: Would you consider doing the Hansen, Lineaker job?
Unsey:
Yes if I could still like up here but if I had to
go to London no.
Blue
Kipper: Do you remember a guy called Paul Green from your school days
as he says he could still kick the ball further than you!
Unsey:
Is that the one with the big teeth? If it is no
chance.
Blue
Kipper: What made you more proud? Getting invited to be on Soccer
AM or.... Receiving an invite for the Blue Kipper do?
Unsey:
Going to the Blue Kipper do.
Blue
Kipper: How much were you paid for coaching Peter Kay in the Worthington's
advert "Ave it" ?
Unsey:
(first puzzled, then laughing) Oh no that wasn't me.
Blue
Kipper: Worthington's or sliced oranges, what is your choice?
Unsey:
(pause) Worthington's.
Thanks
to Unsey for giving his time for the Interview. Call Y'self an Evertonian?
We certainly do!
Also a
big thank you to Darren Griffiths, & the P.R. people at Everton for
allowing the Interview to take place at The Park End, Goodison Park. Things
are looking up.
You
asked The Questions:
sunny runny, bobby davro, fred, James Kelbrick,
Sutton, Rob Sutton, Alan M, Paul Proctor, Phil Williams,
Damian, paul rezon, Jonny, Gary Jones, John Mulrooney, Stewart L MacLaren
Spain, david milner, Matthew Brazier, Kipper, Dave Flood, Ste OConnor
in Australia, Andy Jones, Gareth Robinson, MD, MAIM IM, Colin S., blue
benno, TonyBluebloodEvans, Mike Bond, Jogger, John Palmer, martin, David
McWilliam, Sean Graham, Rionbernzy, Stu, GWLADYSTREETGIRL, Park End Bill,
Derek D Sullivan, Chris Jones, Robdog, lee dolman, Efc_Boy_Rob, Kenyon,
Sting Ray, Andy Howarth, Darrel Pugh, Lard, Sam, david starsky, Keno the
clog, Ian from Boston, John Middleton, Raykathpaul, Chris Simpson, Robbie
G, THE KIRKBY KID, Howard Kehoe, Jon Dunnett, Keith Mulville, Sausage,
Johan Malmberg, Gary, Tel, Hoogie, InSTewart, Louise, Dunc's Girl, Mick,
Simon Li, Rob Yorkshire Blue, Dave T, Rob Marwood, gary jones.
Unsey's
Testimonial Year
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