Handy Andy
The Big Interview: Red Passion says a big 'Hello' to a striker who scored seven goals in a game

Andy Morrell

Background: Andy Morrell: modest, unassuming, polite, courteous.

Setting: Red Passion is granted a special audience with the Reds' No.17 in one of those smart executive boxes right at the top of the Pryce Griffiths Stand.

How did you come to join Wrexham?

"After doing a sports science degree at university in Newcastle, I was working as assistant manager in a gym-cum-health club in Leeds. There I met Rob McCaffrey - the Sky Sports soccer reporter - who often came in to do a bit of weights. I got to know him quite well and he said he knew Joey Jones. He made a couple of phone calls and Wrexham asked me if I'd like to go over and have a chat.

What about your background?

"I'm from Hinckley near Leicester but I played my first serious soccer in the north-east and then in Leeds. I suppose that, in footballing terms, I was a late starter."

What about your early days at Wrexham?

"I joined on a month's trial and played a few reserve games. I joined on non-contract terms but eventually gained myself a contract."

Tell us about that goal you scored at Cardiff in the Welsh Premier Cup.

"It was in the last minute. Tommy Wright had gone up into the Cardiff box for a corner. The ball just fell right for me in the six-yard area; I span and hit it - and I was quite happy! It was a nerve-wracking last few minutes and it was great to score."

And Walsall away in 1999?

"My friend Bryn Law interviewed me on the pitch after the final whistle. Fame!"

What are your ambitions?

"Wrexham have got a few forwards so I've got to work hard to get into the frame. I suppose I've already progressed further in professional football than I ever imagined I would, but I want to keep working and see how far I can get. It's dog eat dog - so I've got to keep grafting. I'm always striving to become a better player."

How do you see yourself as a player?

"I'd like to see myself as an annoying kind of striker. I think I'm pretty quick, good in the air and a bit of a poacher - I never score good goals!"

Who's your role-model as a striker?

"Gary Lineker. I'm a Leicester fan so he's the guy I've always looked up to. He's the ultimate poacher. He showed that the secret of being a good striker is gambling on where in the box the ball is going to be delivered."

What's your nickname?

"Joey's got this thing about me managing a sports centre. He calls me the hotel leisure manager! Very quick and snappy!"

Tell us about Flynn.

"He doesn't lose his rag - but when he does say something he says it in no uncertain terms. Kevin Reeves is always there as well to reinforce what the manager is saying. I'd say that Brian, Kevin and Joey all have the same general line - there's not many differences of opinion between them. I've learnt a lot from them - they've got loads of experience. On some occasions Brian can leave certain things to Kevin and Joey; Kevin, for example, spends a lot of time with the strikers at the club."

What kind of striker do you enjoy playing alongside?

"Somebody big - I like to try and find space behind defences. I think I worked well with Jake Edwards and Neil Roberts."

Andy Morrell: top trivia
Favourite food? Pasta
Least favourite food? Liver
Favourite drink? Any lager, Bud
Least favourite drink? Brandy, Whiskey
Favourite TV? Dream Team
Least favourite TV programme? Ready Steady Cook
Favourite music: The Levellers plus all kinds of dance music
Least favourite music? Heavy metal, Lou Reed, Jazz
Favourite Premiership footballer? Muzzy Izzett
Favourite newspaper? Daily Star
Favourite holiday destination? Cyprus
Favourite strikers of all-time? Lineker, Rush

What's Joey like? "I've worked a lot with him in the Reserves. He's the real motivator in the management team."

Tell us about Darren Ferguson. "A great passer of the ball - likes to just sit and play."

Williams? "Great touch and awareness. I like him as a player - especially in centre-midfield."

Faulconbridge? "Good in the air - good goalscorer."

Dearden? "Solid keeper - safe."

McGregor? "One of the better players - could go somewhere in the same way that Brammer did."

Hardy? "Good, consistent, experienced defender."

Chalk? "Good crosser of the ball if he gets the chance out wide. Very helpful to younger players as well."

Carey? "Strong - good in the air."

Ridler? "Fast, quick."

Steve Roberts? "Reads the game well and a good passer of the ball."

Owen? "Solid, gets stuck in - a good passer of the ball."

Barrett? "Gets stuck in."

What about some of your former teammates?

Humes? "Great captain. Sad that he had to retire - a great loss. He always knew what to say to people."

Brace? "210 per cent committed."

Ryan? "Good on the ball, comfortable - a good player."

Connolly? "Great touch and awareness."

Spink? "Solid, tough - a good laugh."

Jake Edwards? "On his day he was unstoppable. We formed a good partnership in the reserves. I think he was particularly dangerous when he ran straight at goal - he always difficult to knock off the ball. A lucky player too."

Stevens? "Very laid back - good goalscorer."

Lowe? "Great professional, true professional - worked and trained very hard."

Neil Roberts? "Good player - especially with his back to goal and holding the ball up. Had a lot of bad luck with injuries, but was soon flying again when he got his confidence back."

Who's the quickest player at Wrexham? "Gibbo."

Who's the best dresser? "It was Spink or maybe Steve Cooper - he liked his designer gear."

Who's the quietest? "Walshy."

Thanks a lot Andy - cheers!