Community » Hattrick Press

The Last Flippin' V

Written by Tonester1985

A little interview with Olympique Mayonnaise manager Tony Hill (Tonester1985) after his side progressed to Round 8 of the cup and in doing so, became the last remaining V side in the competition this season.

1. Your team, Olympique Mayonnaise Club de Football (57400), knocked out CF Aspen (511893539) 3-2 this week, in a pretty evenly matched affair, and face Ville Warriors in R8. You've never made it past R5 before, and have been knocked out in R5 5 times including both of the last two seasons. It looks like you've hit the sweet spot at last, how have you achieved this?

I think winning my V league and not promoting was probably a big factor in not drawing sides that I had a chance against. I mean, you’re usually going to hit quality when you get to round 5 and above (as I have usually found out to my disappointment!). I’ve also let me league performances slip a little so that I can go for a cup run and although probably a bit ill advised in terms of long term ambition, I had an itch and it needed scratching!

2. If you have a favourite tune of 2014, please provide a link to vimeo/utube/soundcloud for us to listen, but an older classic tune would be just as good?

Favourite tune of the year is Ed Sheeran Thinking Out Loud (http://vimeo.com/108242123), but as its been played to death I’ll tell you my favourite 2 favourite songs, Oasis - Stop Crying Your Heart Out (http://vimeo.com/29450159) and Goo Goo Dolls - Iris (http://vimeo.com/16270206)

3. You took over your team on 30/03/09 nearly 6 years ago, and have involved yourself in both the English and Scottish NT/U20 federations. How do the two compare from your point of view?

The English set up seems to have a lot bigger user base and a lot more people willing to contribute in my experience – even if the England fed might argue otherwise. I stood for election in Scotland and was runner up, albeit nowhere near the top spot and I think that shows the interest level there right now. I think Scotland has a lot of knowledgeable managers and as their current U20 campaign is showing, they’re on the up and should try to get the community going like AGDHD is doing and Benno did before him with games, quizzes, and just making it more interesting.

4. If a fan wanted to buy you a pint, which pub would it be easiest to find you in, and what's your poison?

My local, the penny black in Stockton on Tees (http://www.hi-life.co.uk/RestaurantPhotos/large/15512.jpg), not too bad as far as pubs go; live music, pool, darts and sky sports is all I need. As far as a tipple goes it’s always the black stuff for me, can’t get enough of it (http://247citysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/pint-of-guinness.jpg). I don’t get in there very often though as I’m a responsible family man!

5. You are a platinum supporter with a second team based in Scotland, Peterhead & Shoulders FC. You clearly are some sort of an expert at team name pun-ditry, and as such we'd be interested to know which teams in hattrick have (or had) the best names you can remember, and (for any managers thinking of renaming their team - or starting a second team) if you could suggest half a dozen or so inventive suggestions for adoption?

I quite like Borussia Bumchumbadback - that's one of my favourites. I take my inspiration from years of 5 aside and trying to come up with witty names. A controversial one I suppose is Al Qua Yee Haa - a fictional team of Cowboys based somewhere in Helmand.

I've seen a few good names but Murder on Zidane's Floor (421544) is another classic. Dynamo Takarest, Foot & Bournemouth, etc

6. Please provide a link/description to your favourite work of art?

What is art? Waddles goal v Blades 93 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29643209) is the best piece of art I've ever witnessed. Although as a 7 year old at the time one could argue I was intoxicated from an early age and have never fully recovered. To me art is a persons perception so anything can be art to someone. That is art to me.

7. Your manager page states that you are a Sheffield Wednesday fan. What's your take on what Milan Mandarić has done for the Owls over the last 3 years, including his appointment of Stuart Gray to be your team's manager on the back of his experience as a 'caretaker' manager of Villa, Wolves, Burnley & Portsmouth, having only once before been hired as a first choice manager (by Northampton Town)?

I think Mandarić gets bad press. He left Pompey after making them a decent premier league side, he took on Leicester and put them into a great position before selling and then saved us from going bust to now being in the play off crowd. He's not spent a fortune but he's stabilised the club. Gray impressed after the mess Jones left and saved us from relegation, I think he has the players respect and he is getting results. I'm pleased to have him and I hope Mandarić backs him now for a push into the playoffs.

8. Please tell us how/where you met your other half (or last conquest), and how he/she feels about your hattrick addiction?

I met my wife to be 12 years ago as we had friends of friends. We then worked together for a while got on with our lives and went other ways. 5 years ago after both our long term relationships broke down we bumped into each other one drunken night and started dating. We get married in March and have a daughter together and 3 other children between us.

9. When was the last time you kicked a ball and what happened?

I last played on Wednesday in a 7 aside game, I scored a hattrick but we lost 10-7 over 90 minutes. It was hard graft as I hadn't played for 3 weeks prior! This by no means makes out I am fit, the game just ran over!

10. What was your favourite movie of 2014?

Probably Lone Survivor (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1091191/) or Inbetweeners (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3097204/) but I've not seen many new films recently. I watched Die Hard again last year if that counts!? Can't beat a bit of Die Hard.