Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Matt Horsley Horsley on the Wolves finals charge in 2001… Diegos: " You've just completed a double shellacking of minor premiers South Melbourne. You are the reigning NSL champions and now earned the right to host this year's showpiece. The Wolves boys are on fire, you are raging red-hot favorites to lift the cup again this year. Should we just give you the cup now and not bother to turn up next week?" Horsley: "No way Diegos. What we have achieved this year particularly given that a lot of people wrote us off at the start of the year has been fantastic. When the chips are down we have shown that we can stand up to be counted but either South Melbourne or Sydney Olympic are good sides that can beat anyone on their day so the competition is by no means over. I just hope they kick the hell out of each other this weekend." Soft Sombrero Moment May 2001
Diegos: "Not only do you display enormous courage on the field of play but also you and your family have had to show the same strength of character off it coping with the serious illness of your young daughter. Every Aussie soccer fan's thoughts are with your family at present. Has it been difficult to focus on the relatively minor detail of playing football at this time?" Horsley: "When we found out about our daughter's illness it certainly changed our perspective on life. I think how lucky I am to get paid to do a job that I love to do. The last month has been the most difficult time of my life and that of my family. I'm lucky that I've got a lot of great friends and family in Wollongong to help us through. When your daughter gets diagnosed with a life threatening illness it becomes very difficult to focus on things. As my wife says life's got to go on. You've got to keep doing your best while you've got the opportunity." Soft Sombrero Moment May 2001
Diegos: "The Four Diegos spies have you eating copious amounts of Chicken Treat Chicken these days. What's your response to the rumours that you're on your way to the home of the succulent fried chicken, Perth Glory next season?" Horsley: "Are there rumours? Did the Diegos start the rumours? At the moment there's a lot of speculation. As you can imagine with a Grand final coming up I'll be announcing my decision after it's all over. At the moment I'm not saying anything Diegos so let me concentrate on the task at hand you rumormongers." Soft Sombrero Moment May 2001
Diegos: "It seems like an eternity since you first reportedly turned up for training at Wollongong as a 17-year-old brandishing only two left boots and high hopes of making it in the big time. After 10 years how are your feet going? Are you still wearing the two left boots and are you still harboring the same aspirations for success, as you did when you first started?" Horsley: " I tell you what, I've got to hand it to you guys, you certainly do your research don't you? I thought the old 'two left boot' story had stayed in Wollongong but obviously the Diegos have got a hold of it somehow. I've had a great time in Wollongong. I seen a couple of coaches but basically we've had stability in that area. At present we're playing a very attractive brand of football and scoring lots of goals. You have your ups and downs but this year has been a memorable one for me and I really glad to be honoured by the club." Soft Sombrero Moment April 2000
Diegos: "Just like the Diegos, who have just recently been paid tribute to for our services to beach soccer and disco dancing in Melbourne, you also been commemorated as a 'Living Treasure' of the Wollongong region, with a number of testimonial events scheduled because of your loyal service to the club. Has a birdbath in the City Square been planned in your honour in addition to all this and what's it like being a legend in your own hometown?" Horsley: "I get worried about being called a 'living treasure' because when I die I don't fancy being called a 'buried treasure'. It's a great honour. A lot of the people involved with the club have basically said 'you've done well' and they wanted to reward me. Over the years I've had a lot of offers from other clubs to leave but I knocked them back. I've stuck around Wollongong because I think it's a great area to raise your kids and it's an area where I grew up and played my football. So I guess when I'm shopping at the Mall I'll be proud to pointed at and called a 'living treasure'." Soft Sombrero Moment April 2000
Diegos: "Up until this season the chance to wear the Green and Gold has just eluded you on a number of occasions. You finally cracked it for a chance in Frank Farina's squad for the Chile tournament in February this year and from all reports you performed quite well. How did the South American locals' cope with a 'skeg, surfie' boy from the Illawarra and how did you find your first hit out on the international arena? Are you hopeful of making Frank's final World cup squad?" Horsley: "It was really good. I only needed to know one word and that was 'Coca Cola'. It was a great experience. Going over there with the Socceroos and training with the likes of Paul Okon and Mark Schwarzer is a big thrill. It was a big eye opener for me and I learnt a lot of valuable lessons. I finally fulfilled my dream of playing for Australia in the match against Bulgaria. It was only 20 minutes but I certainly had a wonderful time." Soft Sombrero Moment April 2000
Diegos: "The Diegos don't mind saying that in our playing days we were technically brilliant on the soccer pitch. We could make the ball sing, swerve, dip and talk. You instead have admitted that skill on the ball is not your strong point. Could this have something to do with you wearing two left boots and how have you been able to survive so long in a code that demands such fine control and dribbling skills?" Horsley: "Very good question. That's the reason why I shaved my head so people wouldn't look at the fact that I've been wearing two left boots all this time. When I first started I was know as a runner. Over the years I have developed technically with my first touch and distribution but still not up with the top quality players in the league. So I got to rely on my fitness to get me through." Soft Sombrero Moment April 2000 |