Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Bob Catlin Catlin on Newcastle … Diegos: "You have been credited with much of the Breakers success this season, with the team presently in the top six and vying for a final's spot for the first time. It's does seems an eternity though, since your previous club, Sydney Olympic awarded you with their most valuable player award and gave you a 'Don't Come Monday' slip at the same time. Are you surprised with the way things have turned out for you and more importantly, in your opinion, can Newcastle go all the way this season?" Catlin: "I'd like to think so. I'm pleasantly surprised with the way things have turned out for me in Newcastle. I went up there to a club that had been struggling for the last 5 or 6 years. They did have a basis of a good side and Lee Sterry recruited well, got the guys organised and instilled a good team spirit so things have gone from strength to strength." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "You recently became the longest serving goalkeeper in NSL history, eclipsing Jeff Olver's record of 300 games. It's a fantastic achievement duly rewarded by your club. Are you surprised you survived so many games as a keeper and what did the club present you with to mark the occasion? Was it one of those goalkeeper cosmetic bags you can throw in the back of your goal?" Catlin: "The club presented me with a nice framed photo which was really good on the night and my personal sponsors Ullsport presented me with a crystal trophy. It was a great night for me and a good achievement because Jeff Olver is a bit of a legend in Aussie soccer so to surpass his record makes me very proud." Diegos: "By the way what's in one of those bags?" Catlin: " There was a rumour going around that I kept a ham and cheese sandwich in there but I refute that. I can assure you I carry no more than a cap and a pair of gloves in it just in case I need them.' " Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "What's the first thing that goes when a goalkeeper starts to age? Is the mind? The eyesight? The tolerance for penalty-happy refs? The manicured fingernails? Catlin: "The broken fingernails take a bit of repairing. I suppose I'll know when my body has had enough. I'm a pretty big guys and it a bit for me to get going around the place so I'll wait to the next preseason and then I make a decision I think." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "For a non-Novacastrian you've done particularly well to win over the locals with your sterling performances this season. So well have you done that apparently a group of Breaker hooligans have claimed a piece of territory behind your goal at the Breakers stadium and called it the 'Catlin Hill'. Now do the 'Catlin Lynch Mob' behave themselves at games and are nice things always said about you or have they been known to turn on you too?" Catlin: "Pretty much these days it's all nice things. When I first went up there they weren't really sure about me. I think they thought I was too old and that maybe I was taking the place of a local guy. But I've sort of won the fans around. They seem to be in my corner. I guess I'm lucky. Having been an opposition keeper up here over the years I know that goalkeepers can get a lot of stick from the Novacastrians. So I'd rather have them on my side than against me. As a goalkeeper you're virtually standing amongst the crowd so when things are going well it's a real buzz. It makes you grow an extra leg sometimes." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "You have spent two seasons playing professionally in England with Notts County in the first division - a division well known for it's uncompromising strikers who love kicking a goalkeeper's head off as much as hitting the back of the net. Your ruggedly handsome looks prove that you escaped that league relatively unscathed with everything intact. What was it like playing at that level?" Catlin: "It was great. It was a dream come true for me. Most of the kids growing up in Australia dream of playing in the English league because of the coverage it gets out here. For me to go over there was a long time ambition. Things didn't work out as well as they could have though. I didn't turn into a Mark Bosnich or Mark Schwarzer or anything like that but it was a great experience. I've gone over and done it so I won't die wondering. As far as the looks go a few people might argue with you but thanks anyway. It is a tough competition over there and it's hard to go and play there. I take my hat off to all the guys playing overseas because it's no easy ride." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999 |