Mickey Thomas writes EXCLUSIVELY for Red Passion

I'm dead chuffed at the moment - I've got a new job! I've just signed a contract with Century 105, a Manchester-based radio station to do a football phone-in show. It will be broadcast every night of the week between 6pm and 7pm. I can't tell you how chuffed I am. Joey's made up for me and everyone I've spoke to is really pleased for me. Century 105 can be picked up all over the north-west - it's got millions of listeners. The Mickey Thomas Football Phone-In - don't you think it sounds great? I did my first show on Monday 9 August. I had three guests: Derek Hatton, Bobby Moncur and Larry Lloyd. I also did a phone-in show from Wembley after the Charity Shield game - I was actually standing in that afternoon for Frank Stapleton. I still can't believe it. I went for the interview and I got the job. Brilliant. All my work at MUTV really helped me. Dead chuffed I am.

Over the summer I've really been mixing with the stars. I was down in Swansea for the Stereophonics gig. That was tremendous - they are GREAT people. I also played in this celebrity six-a-side game with some big names including Ieuan Evans and that Joe Calzaghi - is that how you spell it? I stayed with the Stereophonics lads in the Marriott Hotel. That's Marriott as in Andy. I also met that Jonathan Morris guy out of Bread. He told me that his mates didn't believe him when he said he'd met Mickey Thomas!

Even though I've now got my own show, I'll still be working for MUTV and the BBC. Century 105 are going to release me for the big Wales games - that's great. I think I'll still do some weekend work with Marcher Sound too.

Mark Hughes as Wales manager? To me it's a fantastic decision. It's nice for him. He's done it all in his career and he's been, and still is, a quality player. He's played at a high level at home and abroad and he's respected at home and abroad. You can't get much better than that. I'd also like to see Rushie involved with the national team. I don't know what will happen to Big Nev though. Maybe he just wasn't qualified for the job or not suitable. I just don't know. Will Mark get the job full-time? Again I don't know - I'd certainly like him to get it. Kevin Ratcliffe must be disappointed though, after all his hard work at Chester. I guess Rushie and Flynnie are disappointed too.

I played a lot with Mark for Wales. He's a quiet lad and, to be honest, he's got a very hard task ahead of him. Part of me feels a bit sorry for him - he's not going to have a great team to work with. And Belarus away and Switzerland at home won't be easy games. If the results go for him, I think he could get the job full-time. That would be great for him and Welsh football.

I remember playing in Mark's debut game for Wales - versus England at Wrexham. I also remember that sensational scissors-kick goal he scored for Wales against Spain. I actually called for that ball - I'm glad he got his foot to it before I did! A few years ago Mark also told me a story. He said that when he signed for Barcelona the club officials he met were talking all about me - and not him. They told Mark that, in an ideal world, they would have liked to have signed me and not him. Brilliant!

I spoke to Rushie the other day. He was on the golf course when I spoke to him. I think he's weighing up his options. He's a good lad - and as I said I'd like to see him involved in the Wales set-up. I think he learnt a lot during his time at Wrexham. I know it didn't totally work out for him on the pitch, but it's always very hard when you come down a level or two - I think that was at the bottom of why he didn't have a brilliant time as a player. But I don't think he's got any regrets - he loved it at Wrexham.

Flynn has made a few signings over the summer and that has got to be good news. I was down at Colliers Park the other day and everyone was very bubbly. Division Two is a very hard league - but I'm really looking forward to the coming season. I can't say I know any of Flynnie's signings very well, but I know of them. Dearden's a good keeper. I actually scored against him when I played at Stoke. It was at Griffin Park and it was a header - very unusual. I've also played against Lowe. He's a good goalscorer and he knows where the net is. Let's just hope everything clicks.

Isn't the new stand looking great? I'm looking forward to seeing everything when it's finished. I was chatting to Joey about it the other day. We both agreed that we would love to have played in front of it. I think we wish we were still playing fullstop! Joey actually said he thought the stand was facing the wrong way…

So, we'll have a great stadium - now we just need a great team. Flynn's been at the club for ten years - we need to start doing something.

When I was down at Colliers Park I had a quick word with Wayne Phillips. He's made up to be back at the club. It's his home - and he loves being back home. He loved it when he was here first time around and things obviously didn't work out at Stockport. It's a great bonus for everyone that he's back. So one Rushie's just gone - and the other Rushie's just arrived. Brilliant.

I also met Robbie Williams over the summer…and Lennox Lewis…and E17. I also bumped into a pop band called Dodgy. I like their name. They're Dodgy…I'm pretty Dodgy! I met all these guys at a special six-a-side competition at Chelsea. There were 20,000 people at Stamford Bridge for the occasion. I also met a Liverpudlian band called Space - great guys and big soccer fans. I went to see one of their gigs in Liverpool. I'll be presenting Top of the Pops next!

I really enjoyed playing at the Wrexham FC Supporters Clubs Eight-a-Side Tournament at Colliers Park. I played for Ynys Mon Reds and for Red Passion and I had a great time. I've got to say though that there were a few clumsy tackles in. I escaped though - and it was great to see Joey taking part too. You know something: he played in four games and he never finished up on the winning side! The two sides I played for made me very welcome and it was great to get a few goals. Great too to see so many Wrexham supporters taking part. Me and Joey loved it. I was privileged to be a member of the Ynys Mon side that won in the final. And I was also privileged to pick up my winners medal from Brian Flynn. He said I had a great future in the game.

Before the Barry game in May I took part in the pre-match five-a-side festivities. It was like slow motion: me, Dai Davies, Joey, Big Nev, Mike Peters, Peter Parry, Steve Marriott, Bryn Law, Billy Duffy. A good do all in all.

I'll be playing for Amlwch again this season. I've actually played a bit already this summer - but my media work's going to take priority. But I aim to play as much as I can. My son Aaron has actually just signed for Bangor. He's done well. My daughter Jade will be playing for Bangor's Ladies team as well. She's a good player, but like me she doesn't turn up all that often! Ladies football has got its critics but from what I've seen the standard isn't bad. I've watched a bit but I get a bit distracted. I'm usually goggling.

People keep asking me about Nicholas Anelka. All I can say is that it's gone beyond a joke now. Good luck to him - but long-term contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on now. It's not like the old days. The money's better now, but I'm not sure the football is.

I was sorry to see Peter Ward go at the end of last season. He lacked pace but he wasn't a bad player. He had a decent left foot and he could also take a great free-kick. But his left foot wasn't as good as Mickey Thomas's. I could open a can of peas with mine!

Before I go, just remember: Century 105, 6pm till 7pm - my new phone-in show. If you want to call me, the number is 0161 400 0000. Get on the phone now!

Cheers,