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Interview with HoudiniBhoy, Winner of the George Carey Cup

Written by LarryPampushky

An interview with HoudiniBhoy (7419892), manager of RC Obajan (61064), who has just won the second edition of the Ceorge Carey Cup.

This is HoudiniBhoy's second interview with Hattrick Press, having previously fallen victim to Bink's interrogation techniques here: (18319).

1. You joined Hattrick in December 2007. How did you hear about it?
A couple of my mates had been playing it and they talked me into getting a team, in the end there was about a dozen of us playing and we’d get together of a Sunday for the matches. I even went as far as hosting a radio show for end of season matches which were quite amusing at times.

2. After being knocked out of the English Cup in round 5 you were parachuted into the George Carey Cup. At that stage did you expect to reach the final?
I took a look at the teams in the competition and I thought my team was capable of reaching the semi-finals so I thought I would attempt to get as far as possible. My league fixtures allowed me some PIC’s at the right time so that helped.

3. In the final (512715938) you played the legendary Jol-lification ((7991)) from the Premiership. What were your thoughts going into the match?
Looking at Postigod’s stats and mine for the cup matches I realised it would most likely be a coin toss match. I had two key players missing through injury so I decided to just try and win midfield and see what happened. It could have gone either way but to have beaten a team and manager of that calibre is still pleasing, especially the current NT manager.

4. You have won the George Carey Cup, but do you have any ambitions to win bigger prizes?
I am not sure my current team has what it takes to win my series or the cup but I will always try to at least compete in everything I am in. I got to the last 16 of the cup last season (497641079) knocking out the current double winners Hooligans before being narrowly beaten by Stinging Scorpions (497765128)

5. Last season you promoted to division II. Where does that achievement rank with winning the George Carey Cup.
Getting promotion to the second tier has to be my highest achievement to date especially as I got to the last 16 in the cup as well. That said I am happy to get my name of the wall for winning the George Carey Cup, it adds a little bit of kudos plus it netted around £1M in gate receipts and prize money which is of consolation.

6. You have a second team based in Iceland. Why Iceland?
When Platinum Supporter was announced the guys in the KHA Federation (90816) decided to choose a small country which had a decent kick off time on a Sunday and Iceland was the prime candidate. I wish I had stayed in England now as not many of the guys carried on with their teams but I have invested too much time into the team so I will be sticking with it.

7. You run a youth academy. Do you enjoy that?
I love the YA element of Hattrick and I have made quite a lot of money from it, although not so much since the demise of the transfer market. I have had a few gems in both teams selling players for up to £3M. It’s always nice when those U20 prospects come good and it makes it worth it. My favourite player has to be Nicholas Paulson (36608757) who actually captained England U20 appearing 24 times.

8. If your team had a song to run out to (maybe it does!), what would it be? And while we're on the subject of music, what album would you want on a desert island if you could only take one.
I think if I was to have a tune for RCO to run out to it would probably be this one
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMlKmELIhgY) or You’ll Never Walk Alone a la Celtic Park style. As for the album, that is so hard but I would probably go for Ten by Pearl Jam… if you’ve never listened to it then go and buy it now!(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xXp_XJzgC4)

9. You are a member of 12 federations. Which is your favourite and why?
The KHA Federation is one I created and it contained all of the guys I am actually friends with outside of Hattrick. Several have refused to pay the increases so it has sort of died a death which is a shame. We had a Champions League every season and there is even a trophy believe it or not.

10. What tips would you give a newbie manager?
Honestly? Stick with it, it will come good in the end. Hattrick is not a game which is played over days or weeks or even a year if we’re all honest. Patience is key. Also start training defending, buy old midfielders and forwards when you can afford it and you get the benefit of training and being competitive at the lower level if you want instant gratification. If not, just train as many kids as you can and build your stadium up the minute you start selling out. Also keep reading the forums, there's a lot to learn out there.

11. How many hours a week do you spend on Hattrick?
It depends, I’m always logged in when I am at home or in port whilst at work. I have literally logged into Hattrick on several continents and about 20 countries. It is pretty much the first thing I do when I get up before turning on Sky Sports News. My girlfriend was told from the beginning that Hattrick was around before she was and has resigned herself to becoming yet another Hattrick widow.

12. When did you last kick a football?
About five months ago at a barbeque, the garden had a set of goals in it so once you’ve had beer it suddenly becomes a good idea to roll around diving for penalties and trying to take the head off a teenager with toe-bungers… don’t try this at home kids!

13. What was the last book you read? Was it any good?
The Empty Throne by Bernard Cornwell (http://www.bernardcornwell.net/series/the-saxon-stories/) which is the eighth book of The Warrior Chronicles. It is pretty much a fictional story centred around historical fact about how Alfred The Great’s dream of England as a nation came to fruition. BBC have announced they are going to adapt the books for television, thank you Game of Thrones is all I can say. I first read A Game of Thrones in 1998.

14. Aliens intend to destroy Earth to make way for a new hyperspace bypass. (Don’t panic...) Luckily you are able to hitch a lift on a passing spaceship. You are allowed to take only one personal object with you. What would it be?
I wouldn’t go without my son, he’s three in April (and also “scored” the winning goal against Jol-lification) and came along the day after I hit 40, he is everything to me. I would try to get him on the ship instead of me if they wouldn’t take us both. As for an object then it would have to be my laptop which has a load of movies and photos on it

15. What question should I have asked you that I haven't?
Is £25,000 sufficient payment for this interview?