Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Lindsay Wilson

Wilson on being Australia's next millionaire footballer…

Diegos: "Whilst the Diegos are very sad to see you go, you have made many people happy with your impending million dollar move to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven

Your management group, Proactive Sports management would be gleefully counting up it's commission, Olympic Sharks' stressed out bank manager could finally end therapy and of course you, with your new Mercedes and bachelor flat have a stack of mates who'd be queuing up to visit you in Holland.

But what the Diegos want to know is how does Lindsay Wilson feel?"

Wilson: "Obviously I'm really excited. I can't wait to get there.

I start at the beginning of July. It's a real challenge because they want to develop me as a central midfielder, which is not my usual position. So it's going to be really different for me.

By the way Diegos how did you guys know about the Mercedes Benz?"

Diegos: "All the credit has got to go to the Four Diegos Research Department…have you got a Dutch license?"

Wilson: "Well they do drive on the wrong side of the road over there. Apparently everyone at PSV drives the same car. It must be a communist state."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2002

Wilson on the PSV trial…

Diegos: "Reports have it that the trial went exceptionally well.

Apparently a couple of well directed passes that led to goals and some stylish goal celebrations in a friendly convinced the PSV scouts that you were the real deal.

Did you impress them as quickly as the reports make out?"

Wilson: "Well I got there a day before they wanted me to play and I was absolutely knackered.

I trained by myself in the afternoon and then the next night I played 90 minutes for PSV's second team. It was a bit sad I had about four pick-me-ups before the game to wake me up.

I played the first half on the right and performed fairly well but in the second half I played on the left and played exceptionally well. I set up two goals and took a couple of free kicks that hit the target. So things went pretty well.

I've heard some horrible stories about how trialists never get given the ball but on this occasion I was playing with their youth team and they weren't as egotistical."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2002

Wilson on 'Germany or Holland'…

Diegos: "Apparently PSV had to fight off advances from two German clubs, FC Cologne and Borussia Moenchengladbach for your services.

Did you have a preference about where you eventually wanted to end up?"

Wilson: "In Holland they call PSV the family club. They really do look after their players.

Holland has a real reputation for developing players whereas clubs in Germany expect you to play straight away.

PSV are going to give me some time to work my way into the first team, which is great for my development.

Just the big names that have been through the club are enough to excite anybody…Romario, Ronaldo, Cocu, Van Nistelroy, just so many great players."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2002

Wilson on coming home on Ansett…

Diegos: "Apparently the deal includes a $40,000 allowance for airfares back to Australia.

Did you get a chance to check the fine print? The flights aren't booked with Ansett are they?"

Wilson: "Guys you've got check the information gathering by your research department on this one.

The bit about the airfares is not even true. So there is no fine print to check in this case."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2002

Wilson on Socceroo selection…

Diegos: "Frank Farina gave you a Socceroos debut in a 22-0 romp over Tonga during the Oceania stage of the World Cup last year.

Unfortunately serious injury ended your World Cup campaign soon after. Apparently your mum gave you a thrashing for not getting on the score sheet.

Do you think that this high profile move to PSV will put you back into Socceroo contention?"

Wilson: "That is obviously my goal.

I think to break into the Socceroos I would initially have to start playing regularly at PSV and establish myself there and then perhaps move onto a bigger league if that was possible.

If I could achieve that I think I would be a chance for the Socceroos."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2002

Wilson on Olympic Sharks…

Diegos: "Will be staying with the Olympic Sharks for the remainder of the season?

Wilson: "Yes that's definite, I'm here to the end of the NSL season.

PSV suggested that I might go on March 1st but we nipped that in the bud pretty quickly. This wasn't only for the team but also to see my family and friends and say a proper goodbye.

It would also be nice to go to Holland with a NSL title under my belt too. I started with three wooden spoons at Canberra so I wouldn't mind a win on my departure."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2002

Wilson on a hot and sweaty time on the dark side in Africa in 1999…

Diegos: "The World Youth Cup in Nigeria back in 1999? We witness some dodgy goings on over in Africa each time the African Nations Cup is played.

How did you find the experience? Any witchcraft, black magic or Les Schienflug voodoo dolls to report?"

Wilson: "I had a pretty good time in Nigeria.

I remember us getting to the airport and we weren't allowed to travel on the toll way because it was night, which was quite strange to us, so we ended up staying in Lagos.

The next day we departed for camp and saw smoking wrecks on the side of the road and that was a bit scary. I guess that showed us why it was a good idea not to travel at night.

I think everyone got food poisoning on the trip but that's as bad as things got within the camp.

So no Diegos, there's wasn't any black magic to my knowledge."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2002