An Interview With…Andy Campbell
You started your career with your hometown club Middlesbrough. That must have been brilliant to be able to play for the team that you watched as a boy?
To play professional football was amazing, a real boyhood dream, but to play for the team that you watched as a fan was something else. I got to live the ultimate dream. To meet and play alongside some of my heroes was such an amazing experience.
You scored a goal against Manchester United when Middlesbrough knocked Manchester United out of the Cup. Was this the highlight of your time at the club?
I had a few HUGE highlights playing for the ‘Boro. Making my debut at the Riverside against Sheffield Wednesday, my full debut away at Liverpool, my first goal against Sunderland, and obviously my goals against Man United which no one can ever take away from me.
What was it like playing under Bryan Robson?
The Gaffer was like a father figure to me. I owe him so so much. He gave me my debut and opportunities which I could have only dreamt about.
You made your Middlesbrough at Anfield as a 16 year old. I hear that Neil Ruddock marked you and roughed you up a bit during the game. How daunting was that?
My full debut away at Liverpool was an amazing experience. Walking out at that historic stadium for Ian Rush’s last game also made it more special. Razor (Ruddock) marked me so tight that afternoon, I could feel his breath every time the ball came near me. He didn’t want a young kid getting the better of him and he made sure it was a hard afternoon for me but thid was something that really helped me.
You played for Middlesbrough when they had several big-name foreign players such as Juninho, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Emerson. Who was the best player out of the three?
You can’t look past Juninho, but all of the players who were being brought in over that period were unbelievable and showed where the club wanted to go.
The Middlesbrough team that got relegated were very unlucky that season and some say were too good to go down. Would you agree with that?
On paper we were too good to go down but over the full 38 games (or 37 depends how you look at it) we deserved to go down. A few things went against us that season. The Blackburn incident wasn’t handled great and through that we got relegated. On the other hand being successful in both cups had an impact on the league but wouldn’t change the success we had that year for anything. It was an amazing ride to be on with the club.
You left Middlesbrough to join Cardiff City for £1 million. Did you want to leave the Riverside?
I didn’t really ever want to leave my hometown club but once Steve McClaren came in, I knew my days were numbered with the amount of attacking players coming in and having to train with the reserves on a daily basis. I got my head around the fact I had to leave and made it clear when I did leave it was the club that suited me best and not the other way around.
You scored 6 goals in your first 4 games for Cardiff City. When did things start to go wrong in your time at Ninian Park?
I loved my time at Cardiff and only started to go wrong once Lennie Lawrence got sacked and Dave Jones took over. We didn’t see eye to eye and he wanted me out of the club and that was me really done at that club.
You scored a fantastic goal in the Play Off Final against QPR at the Millennium Stadium. Would you say that was the greatest goal of your career?
I don’t think moments like that can be beaten careers. To play for Cardiff City at the Millennium Stadium in the play off final was an great experience but to score the winner was something I never imagined would happen to me. I was told it would never be forgotten and 16 years later they still talk about it.
You went out on loan to several clubs when at Cardiff City, one of those clubs being Dunfermline Athletic. What is the standard of football in Scotland like compared to England?
Scottish football was very different to the Championship. Players and fans looked forward to the games against the Old Firm and the bigger side and also cup games.
You played four times for the England Under 21s. That must have been a proud moment for you playing for your country?
I was extremely proud to represent my country. I was picked on merit from my performances and managed to play my part in getting the group to the Euros.
In 2006 you moved down to non-league,joining Halifax who were in the Conference at the time. Then you moved on to Farsley Celtic. What are your experiences of your time in the Conference?
Playing for Halifax was very enjoyable but I got a serious knee then Achilles injury and it was then that I knew then my days as a professional footballer were fading away.
After leaving Farsley Celtic you finished your career after spells at Bradford Park Avenue and Whitby Town. What was it like to finally hang up your boots?
It was horrible, I knew each morning waking up that my body wasn’t working and each day was going to be a real struggle.
That carried on for around 18 months before deciding enough was enough and I had to retire.
You’ve also tried your hand at managing. What was that like?
I really enjoyed being a manager and want to get back in to it sooner rather than later. The buzz of being in a changing room again and the joy of scoring and getting 3 points was why I wanted to give it a shot. There are low points with losing games and losing your job but that is part of being a manager.
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