WE WOULD KOP IT FROM ALDO!

THE GAFFER’S GREATEST GAFFER WITH DAVE CHALLINOR

- Andy Mitchell

WHO inspires the inspirations in the ever-changing world of football? Which traits stand the test of time?

In the latest of our series we pick the brains of Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor.

He became a hero on the Wirral as underdogs Tranmere Rovers reached the 2000 League Cup final and he has been back to Wembley twice as a manager, winning the FA Trophy but missing out on a place in the Football League with AFC Fylde.

Despite going so close to a fourth promotion in eight glorious years, he was sacked in October before Pools swiftly swooped for his services.

WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST GAFFER AND WHY?

You take bits from everyone but I would say the manager who I got on with and helped me the most was Graham Barrow at Bury.

It was a time when I was thinking about what to do after my playing career, I had a lot of responsibility there and that helped me in so many ways.

In terms of success it would have to be John Aldridge at Tranmere.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP MEMORY OF PLAYING FOR GRAHAM OR JOHN?

Aldo had come from being a player at the very top level. All of a sudden he was managing Tranmere and the players couldn’t do what they did at Liverpool.

He would shout and scream. Sometimes things happen in dressing rooms that tend to stay in there, fallouts with players and the like, and I remember he had a bit of a dig at one of the senior lads at Port Vale.

I think we were two down and Aldo wasn’t too happy. The lad didn’t react too well, so much so he said that’s me and headed for the shower. As a young player you sit there and it is so surreal, thinking ‘I’m not sure what’s happening here’.