20 Questions With.....Former Liverpool Star Nick Tanner

Article by Craig Muncey

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This week, our e-Liverpool branch caught up with former Liverpool FC star Nick Tanner for a Q&A. Our thanks to Nick for taking the time to speak to us and for answering all 20 questions put to him.

Q1. To start off Nick, thanks for taking the time to speak to us. As a first question, can you explain to us your initial reaction when you were told by Bristol Rovers that Liverpool had made a bid to buy you? And secondly when you realised the move was going ahead and you signed professional forms for the club?

I THOUGHT IT WAS A FRIEND WINDING ME UP TBH. IT WAS A BIG WRENCH LEAVING HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME AND LIVING IN A HOTEL FOR A FEW MONTHS AND I DIDN'T REALLY SETTLE INTO MY FOOTBALL UNTIL I MOVED INTO MY OWN HOUSE AWAY FROM ALL THE TEMPTATIONS OF LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE :-)

Q2. You originally started your career as a central midfielder but successfully switched to defence when you arrived at Liverpool. Did you choose the change or did the club decide? (That question from Jed in Norwich).

I PLAYED MAINLY IN CENTRE MIDFIELD AT BRISTOL ROVERS UNDER BOBBY GOULD, WHO 1ST GAVE ME MY CHANCE AS A PRO, BUT ALSO PLAYED FULL BACK. WHEN LIVERPOOL SIGNED ME I WAS PLAYING LEFT MIDFIELD! NOTICE I SAY LEFT MIDFIELD AND NOT LEFT WING! WORKING HARD UP AND DOWN THE LINE. THROUGH HARD WORK AND HOURS OF PRACTICE I MADE MYSELF TWO FOOTED, SO WITHOUT DRIBBLING PAST PLAYERS I COULD SUPPLY CROSSES WITH EITHER FOOT FOR BIG DEVON WHITE, WHICH PROVED VERY SUCCESSFUL.

Q3. You were bought for £20,000 in 1988, which is loose change nowadays for football clubs, by Kenny Dalglish. Do you think the low fee helped you in moving to such a big club?

PROBABLY, BUT HAVING WORKED BEFORE PLAYING FOOTBALL I WORKED MY BALLS OFF TO NOT HAVE TO GO BACK TO THAT 7-4 LIFESTYLE, SO FAILURE WASN'T AN OPTION REALLY.

Q4. Talking of Kenny Dalglish, can you describe what he was like as a manager, and as a person? Also, when Kenny Dalglish resigned, were the players surprised?

I NEVER REALLY GOT TO KNOW HIM AS A PERSON. AS A MANAGER THOUGH HE WAS VERY GOOD AT MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS ON AND OFF THE PITCH. OBVIOUSLY KENNY QUITTING WAS A MASSIVE SHOCK TO EVERYONE.

Q5. You were there through the harrowing days of the Hillsborough disaster, which had an impact on so many lives, some more than others. Can you give us some insight into how the players tried to support the community.

OBVIOUSLY IT WAS AN AWFUL TIME FOR THE CLUB AND THE CITY OF LIVERPOOL, BUT WE ALL RALLIED ROUND AND HELPED IN ANY WAY WE COULD. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILIES STILL SEEKING CLOSURE.

Q6. You made your league debut in 1989 against Manchester City at Maine Road, can you describe that feeling as well as the first time you played at Anfield?

I HAD PLAYED OVER 100 GAMES FOR BRISTOL ROVERS SO HAD QUITE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE, BUT ONE THING I NOTICED WAS HOW EASY IT WAS PLAYING IN THAT SIDE, WHICH WAS THE LAST TEAM TO WIN THE TITLE. 1ST GAME AT ANFIELD WAS VERY NERVE WRACKING THOUGH AND SCORING AN OWN GOAL IN THE KOP END V LUTON STANDS OUT AS A LOW POINT FOR ME, ON THE DAY I SIGNED A NEW 3 1/2 YEAR CONTRACT AS WELL,MAYBE THAT WAS PLAYING ON MY MIND ;-)

Q7. You were loaned out in 1990 to Norwich City and Swindon Town. Was there a significant difference in players abilities and was the only reason you were loaned out was to get some football under your belt?

YES. I HAD BEEN USED TO PLAYING WEEK IN WEEK OUT AT BRISTOL ROVERS AND IT HELPS NO END GETTING MATCH PRACTICE. I GET A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED TO ALL THIS SCIENCE THEY HAVE NOWADAYS AND FEEL SORRY FOR PLAYERS WHO ARE EXPECTED TO COME STRAIGHT INTO THE TEAM AFTER HAVING LITTLE OR NO COMPETITIVE GAME TIME. AT THE START OF THE SEASON MANAGERS SAY THAT PLAYERS NEED A FEW PRESEASON GAMES TO GET THEIR MATCH SHARPNESS, THEN 4-5 GAMES INTO THE SEASON THEY SAY THE PLAYERS NEED A REST BECAUSE THEY'VE PLAYED TOO MANY GAMES??!! RICKY LAMBERT IS A PRIME EXAMPLE, HE'S BEEN USED TO PLAYING REGULARLY AT EVERY CLUB HE'S BEEN AT, YET HASN'T BEEN GIVEN A FAIR RUN IN THE TEAM IMO. INSTEAD THE MANAGER DECIDED TO PLAY MARIO BALOTTELLI??!!! WHICH I SAID ALL ALONG WAS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I DREAD TO THINK HOW HE WOULD HAVE COPED UNDER KENNY OR GRAEME SOUNESS, WITH RONNIE MORAN AND EVO ON HIS CASE. ONE THING THEY HATED WAS LACK OF EFFORT...HE'S TAKEN IT TO AN ALL TIME LOW IMO.

Q8. You came back to Liverpool and your football career changed when Graeme Souness took over from Kenny Dalglish as manager. What was Graeme like as a manager and a person and do you think he has taken unfair criticism for his time as manager at Liverpool?

GRAEME WAS GREAT FOR MYSELF AND MANY OTHER YOUNG PLAYERS AT THE CLUB. HE GAVE US OUR CHANCE, HE REWARDED HARD WORK AND HONESTY, HE CHANGED THE TRAINING REGIME/DIET AND THE TRAINING FACILITIES AT MELWOOD TO BRING IT INTO THE 90S. HE HAS ADMITTED HE MADE MISTAKES IN GETTING RID OF SENIOR PLAYERS TOO QUICKLY, BUT THE OLDER PLAYERS DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE WITH THE TIMES IN MY OPINION. IF A YOUNGSTER TOOK THEIR PLACE THERE WAS A RESENTMENT FROM THEM THAT MADE THINGS DIFFICULT FOR GRAEME. HE TRIED TO CHANGE THIS BUT IN THE END THE EASIEST WAY WAS TO MOVE THESE PEOPLE ON.

Q9. Before Graeme Souness took the role Ronnie Moran was installed as interim manager. Did you seen a difference in him when he became the main man albeit on an interim basis, and what was he like as a coach and as a man.

BRILLIANT MAN AND COACH. FIRM BUT FAIR IS EXACTLY AS I WOULD DESCRIBE RONNIE.

Q10. You scored in a Merseyside Derby, a draw against the blue side of Liverpool at Goodison Park in the 1991-92 season. Can you describe how it felt scoring your first goal in a Merseyside Derby and how high does that movement rank in your career. (That question from Ardit in India).

SCORING ON MY DEBUT AS A PART TIME PLAYER AT BRISTOL ROVERS V BRISTOL CITY WHILST WORKING WILL ALWAYS BE MY GREATEST MEMORY IN FOOTBALL, GOING IN TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING I FELT 10 FEET TALL, BUT SCORING AT GOODISON RANKS A VERY CLOSE SECOND.

Q11. You also had a spell under the management of Roy Evans, can you describe how he was as a manager and as a person?

I WAS INJURED AND TRYING TO RECOVER AT THE TIME SO DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO FIND OUT.

Q12. You sadly had to retire from football in 1994 due to a back injury. Was this injury sustained over a considerable period of time or was it a sudden injury, and when did you know your footballing career was over?

IT WAS A LONG TERM BACK PROBLEM, SO WAS RESIGNED TO THE FACT THAT MY CAREER WAS OVER FROM 93 ONWARDS REALLY.

Q13. I read somewhere that your mum would not watch you playing football in case you got a yellow card, is this true?

HA HA NOT STRICTLY. IT WAS GETTING INJURED.

Q14. You played with some magnificent footballers, but who, in your opinion, was the best? (That question from Jemma in Liverpool).

JOHN BARNES IN HIS PRIME, ONE OF ENGLAND'S BEST EVER FOOTBALLERS.

Q15. Slight twist on the above. You played against some magnificent footballers, who in your opinion was the best?

IAN WRIGHT WAS A PAIN IN THE BACKSIDE TO BE HONEST...ALWAYS WINDING YOU UP AND ALWAYS ON THE MOVE. HE NEVER GAVE US A MINUTES PEACE AT THE BACK.

Q16. After football you went into management at non league level. Did you find it very difficult, and was it hard working with players who may not have been of the standard of the players you had worked with previously?

NO BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE I CAME FROM - NON LEAGUE FOOTBALL AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT FACT. I PROVED THAT IF YOU WORK HARD ENOUGH YOU CAN GET TO THE VERY TOP. STUART PEARCE, CHARLIE AUSTIN BEING 2 OTHERS THAT SPRING TO MIND, BUT YOU HAVE TO PUT THE WORK IN. FAR TOO MANY PLAYERS EARN A LIVING FROM THE GAME NOWADAYS WITHOUT DOING SO. I CAN HONESTLY PUT MY HAND ON MY HEART AND SAY I GAVE 100% EFFORT IN EVERY TRAINING SESSION AND EVERY GAME I PLAYED IN. SOME PEOPLE WILL SAY I WASN'T THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD AND I AGREE, BUT NOBODY TRIED HARDER, ESPECIALLY IN TRAINING, ASK ANYONE WHO'S EVER TRAINED WITH ME.

Q17. I understand that Mike Marsh is a big mate of yours. Has he spoken about recent developments at Liverpool? Also, which other former players do you still have regular contact with?

HE'S AS SADDENED AS I AM BY HOW HE'S BEEN TREATED BY THE CLUB. HE WAS PART OF THE MANAGEMENT TEAM THAT GOT THE CLUB TO 2ND PLACE THE YEAR BEFORE LAST AND WAS SHOWERED WITH PRAISE FROM EVERY ANGLE. IF FSG FORCED BR TO LET COLIN PASCOE AND MARSHY GO, HE SHOULD HAVE GONE AS WELL IMO. IF IT WAS HIS DECISION THEN THAT'S SHOCKING I'M AFRAID!! ONLY FRIENDLY WITH MARSHY FROM LFC REALLY, THE OTHERS ARE BIG TV STARTS NOW AND DON'T MINGLE WITH US NORMAL PEOPLE ;-)

Q18. What are your current thoughts on Liverpool Football Club, in terms of the set up with owners, managers and players?

I THINK BRENDAN'S A GOOD COACH BUT NOT A GOOD MANAGER I'M AFRAID. GAME MANAGEMENT IS WHAT WINS YOU THINGS NOT COACHING GROUND SESSIONS. I LEARNT FROM MANAGING THAT COACHING IS EASY, IT'S WHEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER 11 PLAYERS AGAINST YOU ON A FOOTBALL PITCH AND AN OPPOSING MANAGER IN THE OPPOSITE DUGOUT WHO ARE ALSO TRYING TO WIN THE GAME THAT SORTS THE MEN FROM THE BOYS! I'M 100% BEHIND LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB, BUT TIME WILL TELL IF BR CAN PROVE ME WRONG, I HOPE HE DOES. HE CERTAINLY TALKS A GOOD GAME, MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A POLITICIAN?

Q19. Tough question this. Of the players you played with, can you name a greatest 11?

1.GROBS 2.JONES 3.NICOL 4.WRIGHT 5.HANSEN 6.WHELAN 7.MACMAHON.8 MOLBY.9 RUSH 10.BEARDSLEY. 11 BARNES.

Q20. Final question! What are you currently doing away from football and do you have a message for the Liverpool fans? (That question from Tommy in Sutton).

I'M DOING SOME CO-COMMENTARY FOR RADIO MERSEYSIDE ON LFC GAMES AND I'M JUST LAUNCHING FOOTGOLF IN BRISTOL (LINK). GONNA BE MASSIVE AND WOULD BE GREAT TO GET LFC SUPPORTERS PLAYING DOWN HERE. I ALSO RUN VERY AFFORDABLE CORPORATE DAYS WHERE YOU GET TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH ME ON THE COURSE, BUT MAINLY HAVING A GOOD LAUGH WHICH IS WHAT LIFE'S ALL ABOUT. ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME WILL TELL YOU I CERTAINLY LIKE TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE AND TRY NOT TO TAKE LIFE SO SERIOUSLY. ENJOY EVERY DAY AS IF IT'S YOUR LAST I SAY.

Once again, our thanks to Nick and be sure to check out the Footgolf site for more info!