21 Questions with... Andy Lundy

 Andy Lundy was a striker for Trafford, playing for the club in three spells across the years 2003 to 2011. Andy’s Trafford career started on 18^th November 2003 at home to Atherton Collieries and he went on to make 191 appearances for the club, the last of which came at Leigh Genesis in January 2011. Andy’s 81 goals for Trafford see him at No.5 in our all-time goalscoring charts. He was a member of the North West Counties League Championship winning team of 2007/08 (NWCL Top Scorer with 28 that season) and the NPL President’s Cup winners of 2008/09.  Andy was Supporters Player of the Season twice in 2003/04 and 2007/08

1. Andy, give us a brief background to your footballing career prior to Trafford, and how did you end up joining the club?

 

I started at Deans Sports (where Ryan Giggs started out) U8's, was at Oldham Athletic's School of Excellence from age 9 to 15 as a Centre Back (my best position according to my Old Man), played for Salford Boys and Manchester County FA also as a youth. I started playing open age when I was 15 for Monton Amateurs in the Manchester League, progressed to Salford City, Cheadle Town and Woodley Sports in the NW Counties as it was then. I ended up joining Trafford FC when my old youth team manager, Danny Johnson, got the manager’s job and brought myself and a few others from the same youth team in together.

 

2. You made your debut when starting against Atherton Collieries at Shawe View on 18^th November 2003 (a 3-1 victory). You scored your first goals when bagging two in a 5-3 win away at Glossop North End on 6^th December 2003. What do you remember of your debut and those first goals you scored?

 

I don’t recall much from my debut game to be honest, apart from the magnificent carpet of a pitch that Shawe View is renowned for. Absolute credit to Foxy and Tin Tin who looked after it at the time. The 5-3 win at Glossop is far more memorable, the goals the team scored that day were simply fantastic.. indicative of the flair we played with. My two goals were pretty standard finishes as I recall, but far more memorable was a goal from a certain Graham Vaughan where he and I combined with a couple of 1 – 2’s before he floated it in to the top corner. The 5-3 scoreline was typical of how we played at the time, exciting but equally naive.

 

3. In your first season (2003/04) you scored 11 in 22 games; The following season it was 12 in 45; For the first few weeks of the 2005/06 season you were on the bench a lot for the first few games, came into the team and scored a hat-trick against Congleton Town but after that you kind of left the club for nearly two years – What happened there?

 

My first season, 11 in 22 games was a good start. We had a young, exciting team that could blow teams away with fast, dynamic style but also got bullied and suffered from naivety due to our relative youth. 2nd season, where I only managed 12 goals in 45 games, I started to suffer from a lower back complaint, which is a terminal issue, that prevented me from building on the previous season’s promising start personally. Season after that I was really struggling, hence why I was on the bench a lot, I could only manage 30 minutes or less without breaking down (still managed a hat-trick though like you say!!) Eventually I had to write the season off completely due to injury (shooting pains down my hamstrings, caused by the lower back complaint).. spondyliothesis if you want to look it up!! The Following season (2006/07) I didn't feel I could compete at the level Trafford were competing at, so I turned out for Flixton down the road on and off as they were competing in the league below.

 

4. So in the summer of 2007 you returned for what would be two amazing years under Ged Kielty as manager…

 

Start of 07/08 season I felt ready to compete at a higher level again, but the Trafford manager Danny Johnson had left for Ashton Utd that summer. He invited me down for preseason with them. Danny was my youth team manager from about the age of 10 so we knew each other very well. I scored a couple of goals in pre-season, but there was a lot of competition for the striking berths so Danny recommended me to Ged Kielty who had just been appointed the new Trafford manager. That season, overall 34 goals, leading league scorer with 28, winning the league, was easily my most enjoyable for obvious reasons. Even though I started the season on the bench, we had 4 good strikers with myself, Troy Hayder, Dion 'Chicken D' Depeiza, and a certain Scotty Barlow. Eventually, me and Scott struck up a partnership, and the rest is history!! There are so many unbelievable memories from that season, record breaking winning streaks, the dressing room and training ground rapport was fantastic. It was all due to the atmosphere created by Ged and Coyney, coupled with a talented, hungry set of lads desperate to do well for themselves, the team and the club. Coyney's training sessions in particular were the best I ever experienced, innovative, high intensity, delivered with great knowledge and passion. From a personal point of view, I had a completely pain free season, which was reflected in my goal return. I scored several hat tricks, but my personal highlight was scoring a last minute penalty to beat Flixton in our local derby at home. The celebrations from the fans behind the goal were ecstatic, topped off by Lee ‘Southy' Southwood diving into the crowd to join in. Just great memories!!

 

5. The second season under Ged (2008/09) playing a league higher (NPL D1) – It was a step up in level, and you won the President’s Cup………

 

We were VERY inconsistent in the league, finishing mid table, but did finish the season by winning the President’s Cup which was also a great memory. I remember scoring the winning goal, a penalty, in the semi final against Mossley, we were terrible on the night but just about did enough to squeeze through.. We dominated the final, winning 2-0, and the celebrations afterwards and the coach trip home will live long in the memory!! The league was a lot more physical, players with more cuteness and tactical knowledge which stifled our natural attacking intent, and I felt we got ‘bullied' in a lot of games both physically and tactically. We had some great results though, beating Colwyn Bay home and away who finished in the playoffs, an away draw at Halifax Town and an away victory at Newcastle Blue Star (who were promoted that year to) being particular highlights..

 

6. 52 goals in 92 games, the NW Counties League Title and the President's Cup. Brilliant stuff! You mentioned Scott Barlow there – he scored 68 in 95 across those two campaigns. What was your partnership with Scott like? What made it so productive? Did you work on specific things in training? What made it “click” would you say?

 

No secret really, we just clicked. The classic ‘big man & little man’ front two. Like I said before, we had 4 good strikers at the club at the time and we all played a few games each, rotating off the bench. We both just started scoring and pretty much were a mainstay in the team for the rest of the season. That healthy competition spurred us on though I feel, 100% for me at least, as I knew if I slacked off there was others there ready and waiting to take my place. I wouldn’t call us a partnership though, strange as that may sound. Scotty was very much an individual, blessed with prodigious talent where he could create and score goals pretty much by himself. I think our styles just complemented each other and the team’s style perfectly, I mean the numbers speak for themselves.. 120 goals between us in 2 seasons!! I had a better ‘partnership’, in regards the understanding of each other’s game, in my first spell at Trafford with Scott Weir in my opinion. I played with him as a youth for a good few years prior to us joining the club, and would say we both assisted and scored goals equally for each other during that time.

 

7. After two amazing seasons under Ged, you left the club in the summer of 2009. Why was that?

 

At the end of that season, Ged and Coyney (Tony Coyne) said they were leaving. We were all devastated by this news, although we understood why for family reasons as Ged has previously stated, and I felt I needed to leave for a fresh challenge to a team competing at the top end of the league. So I handed in a transfer request, extremely reluctantly I might add, in hindsight a decision I regret hugely. If I had my time again, I would have stayed. It was a knee jerk reaction to both Ged and Coyney leaving. I signed for Curzon Ashton for a nominal fee, who had lost in the play-off final the previous year, as I felt I could get promoted that year with them. I turned down the chance to go to Colwyn Bay and Skelmersdale Utd, amongst others, who had also finished in the play-offs the previous season. The first half of the season went great, I was the league's top scorer with 15 goals by the start of December, but after that the manager brought in another forward on loan from a league club and put him straight in the team. I fell out with the manager after that, and left at the end of the season..

 

8. You came back to Trafford once again, at the start of the 2010/2011 season. You were in and out of the starting line-up it seems, scoring 2 goals in 23 appearances many of which were as a substitute. After January 2011 you're gone again………..

 

Yes, I came back 'home' for my 3rd spell with Trafford but was nursing my back again all through pre-season. I was on and off the bench, hence why I only managed a couple of goals, and the strikers at the time were doing well and scoring goals so I had no complaints at not being in the starting line up. Then the Skelmersdale manager came in for me. He had tried to sign me the previous season, so I left and played with them for the rest of the season.

 

9. What would you say your strengths were as a player?

 

My physical strength and my intelligence. I felt I could read the game very well, an attribute which as I said earlier made me a better Centre Back according to my Dad. If I had my time again, I would listen to him more and stay as a defender. I found it too easy, too boring!! I was always wandering upfield trying to get involved at the top end of the pitch. There’s no better feeling in football than scoring a goal in my opinion. I remember being asked to play up front when I was maybe 13 or 14, as our usual striker was unavailable to play, and I scored a hat trick!! After that, I only wanted to be a striker. As a youth player I was also extremely quick, unfortunately due to the back condition I mentioned earlier I did lose a good yard of pace. So I focused on being able to bully defenders physically as opposed to out running them

 

10. You scored a few penalties in your time – 9 or 10 of your Trafford goals were from the spot. Was that a specialism? What was your secret to taking a good penalty? (Or did you just hit the thing!)

 

I loved taking penalties, I relished the one against one duel against the goalkeeper. I feel it was a ‘specialism' of mine as you mentioned. I would always set up the same way, stand on the edge of the 18 yard box, wait for the whistle, then look distinctly at the corner to the goalkeeper’s right (my left) , run up looking at the ball up until the final two strides where I would look at the goalkeeper’s feet. 9 times out of 10 they would lean to the side I glanced at so I would just slot it into the opposing bottom corner. The penalty I mentioned above, in the semi final against Mossley, the keeper actually dived the opposite way than usual but I just adjusted my feet and put it in the other corner. Every penalty I scored the goalkeeper dived the wrong way. Very forensic or what!! My hero growing up was Eric Cantona, and if you watch every penalty he took for Man Utd he sent the keeper the wrong way in such a casual manner. I tried to mimic that technique, and it worked out very well.

Andy's penalty v. Mossley in the cup semi-final, 17th March 2009

11. What’s the best goal you can remember scoring? Talk us through it!

 

I knew this question would come up, I was dreading it as I was very fortunate to score my fair share. From my first spell, one against Mossley where I played a couple of 1-2's on the edge of the box (with Graham Vaughan again) then slotted it into the bottom corner; A left footed half volley from outside the box in to the top corner against Skelmersdale I think; A right footed volley from the edge of the box from a Simon Woodford cross (can’t remember who against). From my second spell, there are plenty. A right footed screamer into the top corner from 30 yards (at least!) against Mossley again; Crucial winning goals against Winsford away on an absolute pudding of a pitch; The penalty against Flixton as I mentioned above and the ensuing celebrations... A left footed curler into the top corner at Colwyn Bay. The ‘best' goal I can remember scoring though was a fantastic team goal as opposed to an individual goal. Newcastle Town away, they were not far behind us at the top of the league, and we beat them 4-2. Trafford supporters will probably remember the game for Chris ‘Macca' Mackay doing his best David Beckham impression by scoring a goal from inside his own half. But as Macca will testify, by his own admission the team goal I had the pleasure of tapping in from a couple of yards out was indicative of the style of play we had as a team. The ball got pinged out to Macca on the right wing after a period of patient possession play. As a striker, I knew the quality delivery Macca possessed so I knew where and when the ball was going to be delivered so I stole a march on the defender, and as I arrived at the back post the ball just landed perfectly at my feet without breaking stride.. and I simply tapped it in. Perfection!!

 

12. Trafford FC has a really good reputation as a club. It’s in the club’s “DNA” that things are done right. How did you find the club and the people behind the scenes? When you and me first got in touch for this interview you described your time at Trafford as your happiest times as a player – what was it for you that made the place so special?

 

My god, where do I start!! Well firstly, the pitch. Wow!! Like I mentioned earlier, it really is a credit to the individuals who look after it. They regularly won groundsmen of the year, and it was fully deserved. This in turn lends itself to the club’s style of play.. fast, attacking, dynamic football, played on the deck. Which basically wouldn’t be possible without an immaculate playing surface. Secondly, the supporters. Like you mentioned earlier, I feel very fortunate to have been voted the Supporters Player of the Year twice, and I had a great rapport with them. From their fantastic support home and away, singing my name in some of their chants, to sharing many memorable away coach trips in the various FA competitions we competed in.. Newcastle Blue Star and the MANY trips to Consett, which got postponed TWICE whilst we were on the coach!! What trips and memories, particularly after we'd won – boozing on the return coach journey then back at the pub near the ground, The Bird in the Hand if I remember right, or into Urmston or into Manchester. Thirdly, the people behind the scenes. They make the club what it is, great values, honesty, integrity. Just fantastic people. 100% my happiest times as a player were at Trafford FC.

 

13. Like most non-league players I presume you had a day job whilst playing, plus maybe family commitments? How did you get around balancing work and life in general with having to train, play games and the travelling required for that level of football?

 

Of course, I was working as a full time football coach during my first spell. Working in primary schools all across the North West. During my second spell I had retrained as a Driving Instructor, something I still do to this day. Both gave me the flexibility to both train and play alongside work. I had a girlfriend at the time, who is now my wife, but no children then so there was no problems there. We have two young boys now, who keep us on our toes!! So I could fully concentrate and dedicate myself to play at that level of football at the time.

 

14. What’s your best moment or memory from your Trafford career? And your worst?

 

My best memory is pretty much the entire two year period when Ged and Coyney were the management, as detailed above. Coupled with being voted Supporters Player of the Year twice. My worst memory was asking to leave, again as I said before if I had my time again I would’ve taken stock after Ged and Coyney left and stayed, 100%

 

15. We’ve heard a few funny stories about things that happened on the team coach or at Players’ nights out… Care to share any with us?!

 

My god, so many!! The coach trips were epic, everyone drunk, exuberant, players and supporters mixing together, the banter was fantastic!! Stopping off in a local pub on one of the postponed trips to Consett, no idea where it was, but I think we must’ve doubled their yearly takings on that day alone!! Ending up in the Birdcage on a Tuesday night, after clinching the league title against Formby a few hours earlier, on ‘ladies' night if you know what I mean!! There was a few of the lads who were extremely uncomfortable in there, it was hilarious. Shuffling to the toilet with their backsides to the wall, still makes me laugh now!!

 

16. What do you remember of your team-mates? Who were the “top guys”? Who would you say was the most talented player…?

 

I was very fortunate to have fantastic teammates. From my first spell, I played with a lot of lads who I grew up playing with. Such as Scott Weir, Ian Varley, Liam Ralph, Dave Cummins. Then there was new lads, the Vaughan’s Graham and Franny, Hayden Eames, Michael Ogden, Simon Woodford. From my second spell, Lee Southwood, Woody again, Harry Winter, Chris Mackay, Sam Halligan, Scott ‘ASBO’ Metcalfe, Scotty B, Max Kisseh.. all top players, but even better lads. Most talented though were the Vaughan brothers, Graham and Franny. Personally, I linked up really well with Gray on the pitch, helped by countless minutes sharing a 5-a-side pitch together. He could just go past people for fun, it was ridiculous at times. He should’ve played at a higher level. And as for Franny, he could run a game from midfield better than anyone else I played with. He was a step ahead of everyone else on the pitch, again should’ve played at a higher level in my opinion

 

17. What did you do after leaving Trafford? You mentioned earlier that you signed for Skem in 2011 – how much longer did you carry on playing & who else did you play for? And what are you up to these days Andy?

 

After leaving Skem at the end of that season, I got invited back down to Curzon Ashton for pre season by my previous manager at Woodley Sports earlier in my career. There was too many strikers at the club though, so I left and actually re-signed for Trafford for a fourth time. However, in my first training session I severely twisted my knee, dislocating it and suffering severe meniscus and cartilage damage which pretty much ended my playing days. I tried to come back later in the season, but broke down in training again so called it a day. Nowadays, I am happily married with two young boys, soon to be 5 and 7 years old. Working, as I said earlier, as a Driving Instructor for nearly 12 years now.

 

18. Do you miss football? Ever wanted to return to the game at any level?

 

I do miss football, but not as much as I thought I would do when I had to stop playing through injury. I got married the summer after I retired then started a family the year after, so I haven’t had chance to think about missing it to be honest!! With having a young family and having my own business, I couldn’t commit the time needed to play at the level I played at now anyway.  I used to coach full time like I said earlier, but again due to family and work commitments I just couldn’t dedicate the time needed to either coach or manage at any level to be honest. I help out with my eldest boy's team training on occasion, but that’s about it. As I am now eligible for Vets football, being the ripe old age of 37, I have had several offers to join a few teams. I'd never say never, but I would always worry whether my knee would hold up.

 

19. Ever been back to watch a game at Shawe View? Or if not, ever tempted to do so?

 

No I haven’t, which is a regret of mine. I moved away from the Manchester area when I got married, to a place called Helmshore which is halfway between Bury and Blackburn. So geographically, it’s difficult to do. I would like to attend a game though in the future, probably bringing my Old Man with me too. It would be nice to see some friendly, familiar faces.

 

20. Are you still in touch with any of your old Trafford team-mates? Do any reunions ever take place?

 

I am in touch with several yes, mainly via social media. We have talked about a reunion when the current situation clears up, hopefully sooner rather than later. We have already been reminiscing on the group chats, so it’d be great to see everyone face to face over a beer or two.

 

21. From your old team-mates, who would you most like to see in a future “21 Questions”??!

 

Apart from who has already done theirs, probably Simon Woodford. I've known Woody for a long time, he’s a top lad and was a great player. For me, definitely a Trafford legend.

 

CHEERS ANDY – Another great interview with a Trafford Legend, and we can see what a place this great little club has in the hearts of so many people! Long may that continue... Forever in fact!!