Next in line for a close-season interview is Steve Springett, our new
1st team coach.
(Q) Reflections on last season?
When I look back it is a bit indifferent to be quite honest; we should have won the league, especially after the start we had, but December was our downfall. But I cannot be too downhearted as we still got promoted.
(Q) What has been your footballing journey up to Epsom and Ewell FC?
I signed as a professional at Ebbsfleet in the Conference but was on the edge of the first-team squad a lot of the time. I have played between Step 1 and Step 4. Epsom has been one of the better clubs to have joined and I was really pleased for the team and the unsung hard-working committee when we achieved promotion.
(Q) So, Steve, 1st team coach and playing?
It will certainly be different, but I am still planning on playing when required so I aim to keep myself fit. I was thinking of stopping playing after this season and taking a ‘year out’, but I am very excited about being on the coaching side of the club now.
(Q) What will you bring to our coaching set-up?
I believe I have gained a lot of knowledge over my career. I have always taken seriously the tactics, formations, and analytical side of football. I aim to get the best out of the team, and I want this club to be a success.
(Q) My most memorable footballing achievement apart from winning the recent play-off final against Wick?
To be honest the Wick win is right up there for me. At Ebbsfleet even though I was not that involved I was at the club when we won the FA Trophy. Obviously, signing my first professional contract was a highlight as well. I look back at my time with Cray Valley with fondness, I scored 14 goals as a left-wing back, and I won a lot of awards that season for that achievement.
(Q) What do you do for a living?
I have been in the Financial Services industry for a lot of my career and have just left the Financial Ombudsman Service. I have started a new role at a company called ‘Money Barn’ and so far on day one am enjoying it!
Any superstitions or dressing room secrets you can tell us about?
(Q) Well, where do I start?
I like to tie the laces on my boots in a particular way always my right foot first and then my left (very strange for someone who is left-footed) Plus, I must sit in the same corner seat in the dressing room- so not that many really!
(Q) Tell us something about yourself nobody knows.
I never wanted to be a professional footballer, I always wanted to be in Formula 1. However, no one really knows until now that I was offered a place at RADA to go on an acting course when I was 14 and then chose to keep playing football – so who knows perhaps I could have won an Oscar at some point in my career.