An Interview with…Gordon Hill
| You started your career at Millwall and were nicknamed Merlin by their fans. What was your time like at The Den? It was a great learning experience into the world of professional football. There were so many good players there, Dougie Alder, Harry Cripps, Brian King, Dennis Burnett, I could go on and on! What an apprenticeship, you could not get it better at any other club. The fans giving me that nickname was special. That is why it is the title of my Autobiography was ‘MERLIN’. I can still hear Benny Fenton’s word, Son you just go out and play, I am offering you a contract. In November 1975 you left to join Manchester United. Were you nervous about the step up to a big club? Yes! As I had never lived outside of London, and going to one of the biggest clubs in Football, you bet I was! United reached the FA Cup Final in your first season at the club and you bagged both of the goals in the Semi Final. Was that Semi Final the proudest moment of your career? No, signing for Millwall was my proudest moment, what with it being my first professional contract, and I was proud of myself. Of course scoring 2 goals ranks up at the top and must do for any young player, again with one of the best clubs. United unexpectedly lost the Final to Second Division Southampton. Did you go into the Final expecting to win? What went wrong that day? Good question. Maybe complacency, and we took it for granted and had to eat humble pie. It did not dampen our spirits though, we knew we was a good team. You made up for it the following year by reaching the Final again and beat Liverpool who were on for a Domestic Treble. They went on to win the European Cup a few days later. Was that the greatest achievement of your career? Getting a Pro Contract was my greatest achievement. But then putting on that famous red shirt that so many greats had worn especially the number 11. wow! Of course the pride went through me when I got my International call-up, that was special as well. You were then sold on to Derby in a move that was very unpopular with the United fans as you were the top goalscorer at the time. Did you want to go or were you told that you were leaving Old Trafford?No, I did not want to leave. I was leading goalscorer at the time and was enjoying my game. I would have played for them as long as I could, but you cannot tell the future. Your stay at Derby was hampered with injuries. Was that the most frustrating time of your career? Yes, as Derby had some fabulous players. I did not realize the injury was that bad and I felt that I had let down the club and the management. I had gone for the first team, and lost my England place, and there was nothing I could do. I felt sorry for the supporters but had no way of showing them. Injuries happen but I did not think it would happen me. That was the only major injury I had. Even after getting fit again, I was not myself. It took me close on 11 months to recover and a further 6 to mentally go out and play with a smile on my face. I would not wish the injury or any injury on any player. It was not only being fit enough to play but mentally it took its toll. After leaving Derby, you moved to QPR for a short spell before moving across to Canada and then the US for their Indoor League. What was it like playing over there and how different was it to the English Football League? At that time, English football was going through a tough time, so I got a chance to help start a new club in Canada called Montreal Manic, a new club in the NASL. (11 aside) I had experienced it with Chicago Sting when I was at Millwall for a couple of months in the Summer, so I had an idea and knew the Football. A lot of other top players were going to the US and so I went and had a fantastic time playing in front of 57,000 fans, boy I did not think Football was that popular! After a short spell in Holland and Finland, you then ended your playing career after a spell in non-league. What was that like compared to top-flight football? My Non-League experience was with Northwich Victoria and I loved every minute of it. I played for my old team mate Stuart Pearson, and the football was hard and tough, but showed me where I came from as I started in the Non League with Southall in the Athenian Premier. So it was a full circle, and could relate to the football. You then tried your hand in management. Did you always want to be a manager? Yes after taking all the badges required, it seemed to me a natural progression. Yes I tried my hands at normal jobs, but knew that was not me. Football was in my blood whether it was a manager or coach, and to this very day I am a manager/professional coach. You now own United Sports and live in America. What does your company do and what else are you doing in your retirement years? United Sports is me and does what I have done all my life: play, develop players and create players for the next generation of young footballers, plus I advise clubs. I will never retire as there is always something to do in Football, if it is not developing it is helping young players go to another level. I think I am now an Ambassador of the game. I have played and had the pleasure of playing against the best, I have many friends in Football and will always cherish my Football days bring pleasure to fans all over the world. Do I wish it could have been better? Of course, but just playing the game was enough for me. |
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