Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Stuart Slater

Slater on Aussie soccer…

Diegos: "It's a long way from clinching promotion to the English Premiership in a Wembley play off last season for Watford, to the delighting Olympic Park beer garden patrons, doing your stuff for Carlton in the NSL this season.

How do you sum up your first foray into Aussie soccer? Is it what you expected?"

Slater: "Well, it's been a stop-start season, so far. I have only played 7 out of 15 games due to injuries. However, as an observer, I have been able to watch the games and this has given me some insight about the standard of the NSL.

The ability is not the same as the top level in Britain but it's not bad just the same. Good players from different teams can really master the ball. Back home, it is all about ability, whereas here, a lack of ability is compensated by hard work.

I was not too sure what to expect initially but there have been games where I have come up against decent players and the team has been a challenge to play against and so the standard has been quite good."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater on Richard Johnson…

Diegos: "One of the stars of a struggling Watford team in the English Premiership at present, is none other than the hard running, no beg your pardons Aussie, Richard Johnson.

Rumour has it that you made a good pairing both on and off the field at the local disco.

How highly regarded in England is Johnson?"

Slater: "At Watford, manager Graham Taylor insists that Johnson is the first name picked on the team sheet each week. He regards Richard as a team leader, especially during times of trouble.

In the last several years since Taylor has come back to the club, he has had nothing but praise for Richard and clearly the fans recognize that. Make no bones about it he is a big star at Watford. It will be interesting to see, if Watford will be able to keep hold of him if they get relegated.

He has emerged as one of Watford's better players and being chosen to play for Australia will only enhance his career."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater on Aussie rehab…

Diegos: "Injury has interrupted your season, your progress at Carlton stunted by long periods on the physiotherapist's bench.

How frustrating has it been for you and how have you coped with good old Aussie rehabilitation of sun, surf and ultrasound?"

Slater: "It has been frustrating. Within the first two games, I suffered an injury which MRI scans revealed would take 9-10 months to heal. I had only just arrived here and that was the last thing I wanted to hear.

My intention was to be impressive and prove myself to the coach and colleagues. It was a relief to find that I would miss only 6-7 weeks. Shortly after that experience, I suffered an ankle injury and, as a result, I have had to miss a few more games.

I'm thankful to the club physiotherapist and the medical staff who have been brilliant. They have been very professional and have worked hard to get me fit."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater reflecting on his career…

Diegos: "The Diegos reckon that when you're on song, you are good to watch. Your game revolves around trickery, sublime skills and a fair share of nutmegs, qualities not always associated with or appreciated in the English game.

Throughout your career with Celtic, West Ham and Watford, did you ever think of trying your luck in Spain, Italy or France, countries that seem to encourage your type of play?"

Slater: " It never really occurred to me that that might be an option. I presumed that I would stay in British football for my entire career. This opportunity to play for the NSL came as a surprise.

When the opportunity presented itself, I talked it over with my wife and of course, the rest is history. Prior to this, I never thought about playing in Spain, France or Italy."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999