Some of us in charge got the honour to meet Paul not so long ago at BBC Manchester, and upon hearing about his forthcoming book we knew we had to get a proper interview, and today we are able to bring that to you. Sit back and enjoy Paul talking about his life at City and his critically acclaimed book, "I'm Not Really Here".
MCFCforum.com: It's safe to say you are a boyhood City fan, so how did it come about being scouted for City?
Paul Lake: I was spotted by Ken Barnes and a scout called Ted Davies while playing for Denton Youth and Denton Town. I was about nine at the time. I started playing for a City feeder team called Blue Star, alongside the likes of Steve Redmond and Andy Hinchcliffe, and things just snowballed from there.
MCFCforum.com: In the mid 80's, the likes of yourself, Steve Redmond, David White, Paul Simpson, Paul Moulden, Mike Sheron etc all burst onto the scene and were known as "The City superkids". Sadly your own career was cruelly cut short, but why do you think that this team, which was so full of youthful promise and talent, never quite hit the heady heights that many people expected? Do you think that the management was responsible for not maximising such a talented group to its true potential?
PL: Looking at players like Paul Simpson and Paul Moulden, you could quite easily argue that these players were released too soon, because Simmo was still playing great football for City, so there was no real reason to let him go. Mouldy was always a goalscorer and could still have had a supporting role, and a chance to shine, but in the 1980s everything came down to money. Unlike in the mid- to late-1990s, the squad was kept to a minimum and if a player could be sold with a decent replacement, then usually the deal was done, unfortunately. A case in point was Steve Redmond who – along with Neil Pointon – wassold to bring in Rick Holden.
MCFCforum.com: What would be your City dream team of the past?
PL: Joe Corrigan in goal, Glyn Pardoe left back, Tony Book right back, Dave Watson and Tommy Booth centre halves, Peter Barnes left-side midfield, Ali Benarbia and Colin Bellcentral midfield, Mike Summerbee right-side midfield, Niall Quinn and Francis Lee upfront. Subs: Mike Doyle, David White, Uwe Rosler, Dennis Tueart, Asa Hartford. I know I’ve got far too many subs but I need to give these legends a mention…!
MCFCforum.com: During your career did you ever get any approaches to move to other clubs?
PL: After I’d retired Sir Alex Ferguson told me that he’d been interested in signing me, and I also found out that Liverpool, Arsenal and Glasgow Rangers had also made enquiries when I was at my peak. In those days you didn’t have agents, so at the time I was none the wiser; I just ignored any speculation and got on with my football.
MCFCforum.com: During your time at City, you played under Billy McNeill, Jimmy Frizzell, Mel Machin, Howard Kendall and Peter Reid. Which of these managers do you consider to have been the best?
PL: Howard Kendall was definitely the best manager I ever played under. In the book I talk about his fantastic man-management skills, and how he brought together a squad that was heading for the drop, and steered them to safety. He put a lot of faith in me – he handed me the captaincy in 1990, after all - and I felt ten-feet tall every time I walked on the pitchduring his reign at Maine Road. He was a brilliant communicator and was very tactically astute.
MCFCforum.com: During your injuries, what kept you motivated to get back playing?
PL: Playing football was all I’d been conditioned to do from a young age, and turning out for City meant everything to me. That was all the motivation I needed.
MCFCforum.com: Paul, I’ve met you a few times now and each time I’ve never been disappointed, and have come away knowing that I’ve just met not only one of my idols but a really top bloke. What keeps you so grounded?
PL: Probably my upbringing. On the day I signed my first professional contract, the first thing my mum made me do when I got home was put the bins out, so that says it all I suppose. And besides that, my brothers and my mates wouldn’t have let me get above my station.Although I had an ego on the pitch – most players do - I don’t think I ever had one off it;I’ve always been able to separate the two.
MCFCforum.com: Manchester City seems a totally different club to when you played for us with the wealth we now have, so how exciting is it to not only work for the club but be a fan, too?
PL: It’s extremely exciting. I see the fantastic work that’s being done on and off the pitch, and the positive impact that it’s having on east Manchester in particular, and it makes me feel really proud to be able to play a part in it. And as a supporter, I’m as keen as the next City fan for this team to be a success. Winning silverware for the first time made me feel so proud - the FA Cup final was one of the best days of my life - and long may it continue.
MCFCforum.com: Your role as Ambassador for Manchester City in the Community, can you tell us a little more about it?
PL: My role is twofold, I suppose; firstly I’m a representative for our overseas work (i.e. in Sierra Leone) and, secondly, I’m involved with a lot of the fundraising that we do at the club on a more local level. City’s owners are very keen to make a difference in east Manchester, and my colleagues and I are working hard to support various charities and projects in the area. CITC is an integral part of the club’s make-up, and I’m so pleased to be able to do my bit.
MCFCforum.com: You’ve interviewed a number of people on Blue Tuesday. Who stands out as your best guest? And what is it like to work with Cheesy?
It was great linking up again with Peter Reid and Niall Quinn, two of the nicest blokes in football. I could honestly talk to them for hours. Uwe Rosler was a very interesting guest,as was Jeff Whitley, both of whom talked about overcoming their off-the-pitch battles, Uwe’s with cancer and Jeff’s with substance abuse. And as for Cheesy, you couldn’t meet a bigger Blue. He’s an excellent broadcaster; what most people don’t realize is that he hosts many Blue Tuesdays from some badly-lit gantry, as he’s often doing commentary at a game straight after the show.
Paul, if you could play with one of the current squad who would it be and why?
PL: Definitely Vincent Kompany, who I think is probably the best centre half in the world at the moment. He helps to make the defensive unit as tight as it can be, and yet still plays out from the back when the opportunity is right. He’s a real leader, and I would have loved to have played alongside him.
MCFCforum.com: What does City need to do to keep us at the very top to challenge for trophies every season?
PL: Firstly, the club needs to keep adding quality to the squad whenever needed. Secondly, itneeds to maintain the fabulous team spirit that was epitomized by both trips to Wembley. Finally, it needs to create a siege mentality, especially at the Etihad Stadium.
MCFCforum.com: Your book seems that it's going to be a best seller from the pre-sales I’ve seen, and Iknow plenty of people who have pre-ordered it (and not just City fans). Can you tell us more about it?
PL: It’s called I’m Not Really Here, a title which reflects both the City chant and my mindset while I was on the sidelines. I always knew I had a pretty unique story – I don’t think many players have had a topsy-turvy career quite like mine – and it’s been a burningambition to get things down on paper and set the record straight. It took my wife Jo and I about two years to write the book, and we were delighted when it got taken on by such a big publisher as Century.
In I’m Not Really Here I talk about my childhood support for City, my playing days at Maine Road and, of course, my injury and its aftermath. I’ve tried give a real insight intowhat it was like to be a footballer in the 1980s, so there’s stories of my first pre-season training at Wythenshawe, playing in front of the Kippax on a Saturday afternoon, and clubbing in the Hacienda on a Saturday night, that sort of thing. There’s a real Mancunian element to the book, too; each chapter is named after songs by Manchester bands, from True Faith to There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. But what I really want to emphasise is that it’s not a misery memoir. Whilst I experienced my fair share of bad times, there were plenty of good times to balance it out. Lots of laughter as well as tears.
MCFCforum.com: Will you be doing book signings so people can come along to meet you?
PL: I’ll be in the City Store (Etihad Stadium) on Thursday 25th August (3pm-5pm), the City Store (Arndale) on Friday 26th August (3pm-5pm) and Waterstone’s Stockport on Saturday 3rd September (time to be confirmed). There may well be some others too (including some sessions at City supporters clubs) which I’ll post up on my Twitter account: @paul_lake. Looking forward to meeting you all!
I’m Not Really Here by Paul Lake is published by Century priced £14.99, and is available everywhere.
Amazon
UK Kindle -
USA Kindle
A huge thank you to Paul Lake and his wife, Joanne.
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