EL TEL WAS THE PERFECT TUTOR

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

- Andy Mitchell

In the latest of our series we pick the brains of former Ebbsfleet United boss Kevin Watson.

The ex-Spurs midfielder made a name for himself by bagging many promotions in the Football League with the likes of Rotherham United, Reading and Colchester.

Since hanging up his boots he has had a variety of coaching and management roles, most recently with Ebbsfleet where he took over a side bottom of the National League and six points from safety.

When the Covid-19 pandemic stopped play, a 1-0 win at Halifax had just nudged Fleet out of the drop zone with no one more surprised than Watson when his contract did not get renewed.

SO, WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST GAFFER AND WHY?

It would have to be my first manager, Terry Venables at Tottenham.

He went on to great things, England, Euro 96 and the rest of it. He was 25 years ahead of his time with his ideas, coaching and man management and was different class.

He gave me my chance, my debut and a four-year contract at Spurs so I was gutted he left after that first year in difficult and strange circumstances.

I had three years to run and spent a lot of time out on loan at Barnet, Brentford and Bristol City as well as probably playing the most reserve team games ever for Spurs.

I will never forget that year, though, being in and around that first-team squad. He was an outstanding coach and a great guy with it as well, the big thing was he had time for everyone.

He came up to me one day and said: “Watto, you have a terrible habit.”

I thought ‘oh no, I’m in trouble here. What have I done wrong?’. He then said: “You keep passing to someone in the same colour shirt as you, you have to stop that.”

That was just one of his ways of putting you at ease among the names in the squad.