Manisha Tailor : Ola Williams Interview

Our latest feature is another from our regular and extremely popular contributor, Manisha Tailor. Previous features from Manisha can be found within the No Clash Of Colours site include her debut appearance Click Here >> Manisha Tailor : Football & Coach which is our most popular feature from a contributor. If you'd like to contribute to No Clash Of Colours, drop us a line at the email address in the Contact Details side panel.

You can follow her here via her #twitterfeed : Click Here >> Manisha Tailor

OLA WILLIAMS IN FINE FORM FOR WINGATE AND FINCHLEY FC 

Last Saturday, October 26th , saw Wingate and Finchley take an impressive 3-0 victory over opponents at the higher end of the league table, Bognor Regis Town. Although some may say that a quick succession of own goals in the second half aided this, on-lookers cannot deny the confidence displayed by Wingate throughout the game. Wingate’s right-back, Ola Williams, who has been in particularly fine form took some time out of his busy schedule to talk about team moral and performance ahead of the 2nd round qualifier of the FA Trophy against Daventry this coming Saturday, November 2nd.

M : On Saturday you were up against Bognor Regis Town who have been impressive and at the higher end of the table. What were your initial thoughts going into the game?

O : “As a team we didn't really pay attention to where Bognor were on the table because the league is still tight and we know they keep the ball well, but so do we! We felt confident from Mondays’ win that we will get something from this game”.

Defensively you were solid - has this been an area of focus by the manager during training?

“Most definitely! This is something that we have worked on the most during training, because going forward we look dangerous, but at the beginning of the season we did give away easy goals and it cost us. Now everyone knows there job and we work well together as a team to stop teams breaking us down”.

You had a really good game - The Express FM commentary team quoted "Williams and his fancy footwork" and you have been described as being in fine form at the moment, which I saw for myself! How would you describe your style of play? Have you got a Williams signature skill?

“I don't know how to describe my style of play! I see myself as a full back who loves to defend first and I get the hump when a player gets passed me which in all honesty is particularly rare, haha! I also love to join in the attacks of play driving at players with my pace. I don't really have a signature skill....probably just get the ball put my head down and run haha!”

This week you are at home in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Trophy to Daventry. Following your win against Bognor, how are the players feeling to the build up to the game?

“As always it doesn’t matter if we come off from a loss or a win. As a team we always go into every game with the same mentality of we're going to win, that's why I love this squad because we fear no one. We are confident in our own abilities and we trust and work hard for each other”.

Daventry will be on top form after their 6-1 win on the weekend. I see you scored in the 1st qualifier against Hitchin Town, do you think we will see more in the far corner from you on Saturday?

“To be honest I'm not bothered about Daventry coming off from a 6-1 win. As I said before, we fear no one. We are confident in our ability and focused on the job – that is to go out on the pitch and win this game. Well this season I found myself getting in areas to get a shot off when I cut in, so hopefully I can get more goals for myself. Fingers crossed!”

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Hunger, passion and drive is certainly evident from William’s interview. But more so, a strong sense of team spirit. With this cohesion and winning mentality we may just see another triumph for the home side at the Harry Abraham’s Stadium this Saturday.

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08 January 2013 - Stocksbridge Park Steels v Blyth Spartans

Competition : Doodson Sport Cup - Round 3

Result : Stocksbridge Park Steels 3 v Blyth Spartans 5 (after extra time)

Attendance : 32

The Main Stand
Blues & Yellows

Bracken Moor - Under The Floodlights

Katie Perkins

Katie sets out the SPS "club shop" table in the warmth at a bitterly cold Bracken Moor.

Women Of The Steels .... 

Angela and Jenny.

The Food Bar at Steels, on this particular evening match, when SPS played in front of their lowest crowd of the season, only 32, was kept busy by the girls preparing and making the after match food for both clubs and officials.  Both working at the club at night after a full days work, club's like Stocksbridge Park Steels and many others in the world of non league football, are indebted to the service these ladies provide. We at No Clash Of Colours will be proposing a "Women In Non League Football Day of Celebration" in the 2013/2014 season.

SPS goalkeeper, Adam Billard punches through a crowd of players as a Blyth Spartans corner comes to nothing.

Match Action

Richard Haigh and Chris Bettney (Stocksbridge Park Steels) give chase to a Blyth Spartans attack.

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The players entrance at Bracken Moor.

Half Time Discussion 

In the Main Stand at Bracken Moor

The Main Stand

Bracken Moor

Ballboy At The Cricket Pitch Gate

Goal Post Architecture

Every goalpost at every ground has it's own unique character.  We're fascinated by the design of each one we see, from the netting used to the framework structure.  The character of the goalposts change with the light, look at any at a daytime match and then go back and look the next time you're at a night game.  

Away Team Dugout - Bracken Moor

Bracken Moor - Stocksbridge Park Steels

The following photographs capture the atmosphere and essence of Bracken Moor on a bitterly cold January evening. A sparse crowd are entertained to an eight goal thriller, which Blyth Spartans eventually run out 5-3 winners after extra time.

Extra Time : The Match Cameraman

Father & Son

Season ticket holders at Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Full Time At Bracken Moor

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Links

Match Report

Stocksbridge Park Steels 3 Blyth Spartans 5 : (Blyth Spartans)

Stocksbridge Park Steels - Official Site

Blyth Spartans - Official Site

All Photography : ©fotografica137

Click On Any Photograph To Open A Slideshow

My Hero - My Inspiration : Manisha Tailor

To those of you who have been following No Clash Of Colours, Manisha Tailor will need no introduction.  Her first feature for us, "Teacher and Football Coach : Different Or The Same" has had now well over 1000 hits, there's a link at the bottom of the article for those who are involved in either or both.

For those who are new, Manisha is a primary school teacher from London. Supports Arsenal with a passion, is involved at a voluntarily level with the London FA and Middlesex FA, The London Playing Fields Foundation and is an Ambassador for the FA's "Football Needs You" campaign.

These are her words, this is her inspiration, her hero.

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MY BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN THE GAME

How I Fell In Love With “The Beautiful Game’

Since the age of 8 years old, my twin brother and I together ate, drank and breathed football – which at times got us into quite some bother at school! Our parents were not always impressed with the lack of attention spent on our school work, as for us, spending time organising lunchtime matches was far more important – primary school was awesome! Joint at the hip, quite literally, until secondary school that is (mum and dad intentionally sent us to separate secondary schools) – our love for the game both playing and watching continued. He however, influenced by my dad, became a Liverpool follower – they never did manage to convert me, I am a Gooner through and through!  My twin – the reason I fell in love with the beautiful game we know as football.

Left With A Broken Heart – Quite Literally

Our joint love for football continued until we were 18 years of age. Unfortunately, as a result of a series of traumatic events, my twin became depressed – and 14 years on, continues to suffer from the taboo word in football ‘mental health’.  So, as some know me as having two jobs (teaching and coaching), the honest truth is I don’t, as I am also a carer accumulating that to three.  The reason for me mentioning it though has significance – as despite on one hand feeling broken, it is this very situation that gives me the strength, motivation and will power to continue as an individual and move forward within the professional game, as it is something special that we once shared.

My twin is the reason I became engaged in football – and, despite the circumstances, continues to be my inspiration in wanting to do well in all aspects of the game be it coaching, playing, mentoring or linking it to education.  The say ‘god gives his battles to his strongest warriors’ and in some respect, without the mental strength, carrying out many roles and responsibilities would be extremely challenging for me. 

Football : A Powerful Tool

My message is that if you can show great strength in character, everything is doable.  Being able to use the power of football as a vehicle to overcome difficult situations is a wonderful thing – something that I have done and continue to do.  I am a huge supporter of the work carried out by Elite Welfare Management (EWM) who are providing a platform of support as well as being pioneers of addressing the taboo within the game.  

For me, my journey and professional development in football will continue, so that on full recovery, my twin can say he is proud of his sister – my greatest influence on who I am today, both in and outside of the game. 

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Link

Manisha Tailor - Teacher & Football Coach

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03 January 2013 - The National Football Museum : Manchester

Our second "guest" to write for "No Clash Of Colours" is Manchester based primary school teacher, Claire Warner.  Mum to three beautiful girls, she describes herself as an eye rolling daughter and sister of fanatical, lifetime City supporters, Claire is usually entertained by classical literature and indie music, citing many Manchester based bands as her all time favourites. This was her first, but not her last visit to The National Football Museum.  

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Okay, so the day has arrived – excited about being off work and spending a day with my friend, however am also massively apprehensive about the venue. What am I thinking? Me at the National Football Museum? Don’t I dislike the game having been dragged up with it? Still, I am a modern woman with an open mind. 

A good start – friendly, passionate guy on the desk. He knows his stuff and reels off all the museum has to offer without being pushy. Taking it very slowly my friend decides I might need a coffee before we begin our tour. I enjoy a drink whilst watching the people of Manchester passing me by. I am slightly in awe of the space I find myself in – a large, open, calm place every bit the 21st century building, yet full of a "certain something" making it feel warm and homely (you girls out there will understand the importance of this). Refreshed and inspired by "my city" and my enthusiastic friend, the time has come to go look around!

"Real Women"

Up an impressive staircase, unable to take my eyes off the people and displays around me. All ages, races, genders, are here and every man, woman and child has a smile – it’s catching! We reach the 3rd floor, one of the main reasons that we are here, a photographic exhibit and my friend is gone!

Walking in the other direction to him. I am drawn to a set of stunning photographs of real women dressed in their “Sunday best”, complete with stilettos, adopting the confident/arrogant poses of footballers assuming their position on the pitch in front of goal! I am absorbed immediately by the imagery and the strength of the women portrayed. Not the women behind the footballers necessarily just the women behind the football!  As I continue my journey around this one room I am wondering why I had been apprehensive – this is simply what we girls do best – this is people watching and the opportunity to study/imagine the stories behind the photos!

Into the next room – ah here we go – the “football” bit. Am I about to slowly die a little bit inside? Not for a second – wow!!! I am a little lost for words and that never happens!!!! More amazing photographs and yes they have footballers/grounds/fans in them but they are simply telling an amazing social story and are so much more than the usual images of football that we are bombarded with in the press. I look and look again lost completely in the pictures of real people sharing a passion and living a life. I listen to fathers telling their kids stories about their own experiences linked to different photographs, guys telling their girls about the day they were at that particular game, people recognising where they live and everywhere around me people are chatting and smiling and sharing a great experience. Strangers get into conversations about people, places and events and I cannot get enough of it. I realise perhaps for the first time why my dad and my brother talk the way they do about their beloved Manchester City. 

CHAMPIONES!

On the way down to the next level I get sidetracked by images of the celebrations enjoyed by the City fans last year – tiny babies, old men, children, women, able bodied, disabled, black, brown, white (but mainly blue) faces full of love, passion, pride, belief! I get a flutter in my stomach – the pride of Manchester. I am proud that we are home to a great place like this that really brings together the whole of society!

Level 2 is selling it to me even more. The teacher in me comes out as I observe the amount and range of interactive, multi sensory displays available for children (and adults). Without a doubt the best way to engage people and encourage their learning is to let them experience it for themselves. This is happening in abundance. I am laughing as I watch entire families having a go at penalty shoot outs, understanding the “offside” rule and generally getting to grips with the great game. 

I am touched by a young boy sat alone amidst the fun and frivolity, totally absorbed in a film that I have no doubt he is going to remember for the rest of his life.  

Bobby Moore

I get to really appreciate that history holds the key to why and how we are where we are now whatever the subject matter. Personal memorabilia of the famous and the man or woman on the street give a fascinating insight into how far technology, medicine and social understanding has come. I am also getting to really understand football and its place in society – a much needed lesson for me in tolerance and acceptance of all those things that are important to others. A walk through time raises smiles and eyebrows. Teams from all walks of life are represented and given the space and platform they so deserve. Tales from years ago tell of people’s commitment and compassion, their pride, their challenges, their glory moments and their all time lows.

Ernest "Nudger" Needham endorses "Badger Footballs" in 1902

Here at the National Football Museum there is so much to see and experience that I am certain every single person in the building has had a truly great time. I have travelled through the whole gamut of emotions today and I have learnt an awful lot about football and about people. I personally have had a blast and will definitely return in the future with my three daughters and will also tell my dad and my brother to come. I will insist that my friends bring their children and will be highly recommending the Museum to my KS2 counterparts at school as a perfect venue for a stimulating and fun educational visit.

Several hours later I am quite sad to be leaving. I am pleased to have both an open mind and a passionate friend as without them I would never have experienced the National Football Museum. One of the most interesting and enjoyable days out in a long time. In my day job I preach about lifelong learning and today I have realised why. 

All I have left to say is go see for yourselves – you won’t be disappointed!

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National Football Museum (Website)

National Football Museum

Urbis Building

Cathedral Gardens

Manchester

M4 3BG

Mon - Sat = 10.00 : 17.00

Sun = 11.00 :17.00

Admission - Free

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Additional Photography

Courtesy of the Author
Click On Any Image To Begin A Slideshow

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