How did you first get involved with Chasetown FC, and what motivated you to join the team?
I first got involved with Chasetown in 2008 when I was a part of the reserve team at the time managed under Andy Coxy and Nico, as well as later on under our current management duo of Mark Swan and Jamie Hawkins, who were both players back then. My motivation to join the first team this time was obvious when Mark and Jamie got the job, and knowing the club and how big it is in non-league was a no-brainer. I trust both, and we all have the same vision of where we would want to take the club.

Can you share a memorable experience or match that stands out to you during your time at Chasetown FC?
there are a couple, but one that springs to mind was, of course, the playoff semi-final win over Halesowen away, two teams putting everything on the line and seeing our fans at the end so happy and teammates, staff too will always be in my mind. Also high on my list is the 4-2 win against a previous club of mine in AFC Telford United last season, a result against a side two levels above us; we went there full of confidence and managed to pull off a fa cup upset, but it wasn’t upset in our camp though as we know we are capable on our day of beating most sides in front of us.

How do you balance your commitments to the team with your personal life and other responsibilities?
Balancing football and personal life has been challenging the past year or so as my wife and I have just had our first child Lenny, so going to work, then coming back home being a father, and then going to football leaves my wife doing the Lions share on most occasions at home whilst I’m out at training and games. It’s all different to our normal routine, but my wife’s been great and very supportive, and so have the back room staff when sometimes I may be running late for training with my wife back at work on training nights and sorting child care; they get it and understand as they have been there before. But I'm loving the new routine with my son in it.

How important is community support for Chasetown FC, and how do you engage with the local community?
Community support for our club is so important; our club's volunteers are a breath of fresh air, and all they do behind the scenes to keep us running is fantastic. The fans also play a big part, there have been so many followers of our club in the past few seasons, and the gates have got bigger and better, so hats off to the chairman and directors for bringing more supporters to our games and I hope our club can continue to grow. That will be helped with our new pitch being installed at the moment, which is for the community indeed.

What future aspirations do you and the team have for personal development and team achievements?
As a team, we want to win trophies and secure this great club a spot in the division above; this would be our main aim, whether winning the league or through the playoffs. I honestly think we have what it takes. My personal aspiration would be to continue setting examples for players to follow, and that’s the whole club to get better every time I come in; even at the age of 33, I still think I can learn and get better all the time. Getting this club to the next level is a big aspiration of mine, as I know it would mean a lot to all at the club if we did.

What role do the manager and coaching staff play in the team's overall performance and development?
Since being at Chasetown, I’ve seen and met some unbelievable people within the game, some of football's best, with Mick Joiner being front and centre of it all. A few years ago, Steve Jones came on board to lift the club from the great work already achieved at the club, and it’s going from strength to strength off the field as well as Mark Swann being appointed manager and the players representing the club on it. A new pitch in place at the end of the year will take us to the next stage of the club's journey, it will be massive for the community, and I am looking forward to being a part of the new era.

What motivated you to pursue a semi-professional football career alongside your other commitments?
After being let go by Walsall at the age of 15, I would never have thought I would still be playing the game 18 years on at a very good level after so much heartache with being let go; at the professional clubs, I know a lot of players who don’t play football anymore, and it’s a shame really because like many players at clubs you have your heart set on playing professionally and when It doesn’t quite work out you give up hope. I started playing with my mates first to get the enjoyment back and then played youth team football after. This gradually, over time, went from reserves to step seven, and my highest playing at step two, so not done too bad at all for sticking at it, not giving up on the game and getting the love back for football.

Can you share a memorable experience or accomplishment from your non-league life that you're particularly proud of?
A memorable experience in non-league football has to be my promotion with Sutton Coldfield town, winning the playoff final 2-0 against Leek town at their place and scoring in the final, and off the back of that season, signing for AFC Telford was a proud moment for me. Another one is signing back up to this football club under old bosses/teammates Swanny and Jay, as I had unfinished business with the club playing for the reserve side many years ago.

Are there any role models or individuals who have inspired you to pursue excellence on the pitch and in your other endeavours?
Role models have always been my Dad; he has been my worst and best critic but always told the truth to me, so that made me the player I am today. Football role models got to be Beckham and Gerrard, two fantastic leaders in many ways, but I could watch them all day and lead by example. That’s what I try and do to set the tone.

What advice would you give to young aspiring footballers who look up to you and dream of playing for Chasetown FC?
What advice I would give to young aspiring footballers at Chasetown would be to enjoy it first. That also comes from the environment your playing in, which I know is second to none, there are many highs and lows in sports, but if they keep working hard and setting goals for themselves, they won’t go far wrong, there will be a lot of people with opinions, and that’s fine, but if they have the self-belief, they will go very far at the club. Coming through the ranks at the club, I know there is a pathway, even if I had to apply my trade elsewhere to get my experiences in through loan moves to become better now.

Could you share your favourite Chasetown FC moment or goal that you've been a part of?
My favourite goal for Chasetown was a 35/40 yard rocket against Soham Town Rangers a few years ago, winning the game 2-1; I remember Oli Hayward passing me the ball across the centre circle in our opponent's box and Joey Butlin, our striker at the time shouting for the ball, I ignored his call and took aim at goal, soon as it left my boot I knew it was in, it hit the bar and in, how this never got goal of the season from the league I still wonder to this day but I have the footage that’s all the counts.