MCFCforum Interviews: Kevin Horlock

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to talk with us, Kevin, and without much further ado we will begin with the first question. 

MCFCForum.com: What went through your mind when scoring the goal against Gillingham at Wembley to bring the score back to 2-1 ? Were you confident that we’d get back into the match despite being in injury time, or were you thinking that it was just a consolation goal?

Kevin Horlock: I have to be honest, and on a selfish note, I thought its been a massive dissapointment; but at least I can tell my grandchildren I scored at Wembley, seeing Gillingham’s center-halves cuddling when the ball was down in our half, obviously made me think we had no chance of getting back into it.

MCFCForum.com: Well, following on from that, many consider the 1999 play-off final goal as your City highlight, however, you were involved with many other highlights such as the team that turned a 1 – 0 deficit into a 4 – 1 win at Blackburn, and the team that scored an incredible 108 goals during Keegan’s first season. What was your favourite moment during your spell at City?

Kevin Horlock: People will always see the Wembley game as my highlight, but the Blackburn game you mentioned was also very special, and I just watched the clips and didn’t realise how good a cross I put in for the Goat!! The ‘99 season was a great achievment as we had put ourselves in a no win situation, with promotion the only thing acceptable; so to play under that pressure all season makes me proud, and I would be wrong not to consider the day I signed as a highlight, as there were lots of speculation about my future at Swindon, and a few clubs had shown interest, but Steve Steve McMahon told me to get myself up the M6 and I knew it was the right decision the first time I ran out at Maine Road. 

MCFCForum.com: Are you still in touch with any of your former team mates from City? eg. Nicky Weaver, the Whitley’s, Mark Kennedy, Danny Tiatto?

Kevin Horlock: Football is a funny business and difficult to stay close to people with all the moving around you do; but I do occasionally speak to Richard Edghill, Jim Whitley, Andy Morrison and the legendary Les Chapman. 

MCFCForum.com: Well, moving on from that, you have played along side many gifted players during your time at City in Midfield, including Kinkladze, Bishop, Bernarbia and Berkovic, who did you enjoy playing along side the most?

Kevin Horlock: I sometimes pinch myself with the players I have been lucky enough to have played with, and I am continuosly name dropping to children I coach! But the player I enjoyed playing with most, which may surprise a few, is Eyal Berkovic. 

MCFCForum.com: You became City’s official penalty taker during the 1998–99 season, how did you remain calm when called upon?

Kevin Horlock: I never stayed calm, and missed a few! But I think it is important to pick a corner and not change your mind … I can see the fear in my eyes when I watch the play off penalty! 

MCFCForum.com: You played under several Managers during your time at Manchester City, who was your favourite to play under, and who had the biggest impact on your career?

Kevin Horlock: I genuinely liked playing under all the managers which is probably why I stayed for so long. I will always be grateful to Frank Clark for giving me the opportunity to play for City, and Joe Royle took me to Ipswich later on in my career so he also had a massive impact on my career, and Kevin Keegan was really honest and treated me with respect when my departure came around. 

MCFCForum.com: You’ve scored some crackers during your time at City, arguably the two best you scored were in the Playoff final at Wembley and at home to Sheff Wednesday when we hammered them 4-0, Which one did you enjoy most?

Kevin Horlock: The Wembley goal I didnt see as enjoyable at the time so I won’t even consider that one. The one that gave me most pleasure was surprisingly away to Gillingham, not sure which season though, Ali Benarbia played a one two with the Goat, and I made a run then lifted Ali Benarbia’s pass over the keeper; I think it symbolised what we were about that season. 

MCFCForum.com: There was a famous Gillette Soccer Saturday clip when Jeff Stelling was seen telling the world that you’d been sent off against Chesterfield for “walking aggressively towards the referee” – Was this true and what actually happened?

Kevin Horlock: It is still a bit of a blur; I think there had been a strong tackle on the half way line which the referee waved play on and eventually the ball went out and Nicky Weaver was getting treatment, so I started walking towards the referee to ask why he had played on. As I was walking towards him (and I might add I hadn’t spoken at this point) he flashed a red card! I actually looked behind me, but he said “no you, off you go”. When I got to the dressing room Jamie Pollock was getting showered after being sent off earlier himself, and he said, “what did you get sent off for?” to which my answer was, “I dont know” … I can laugh about it now. 

MCFCForum.com: Do you still follow City? If so when was the last time you went to watch Manchester City? and what do you make of the position of the current team?

Kevin Horlock: I consider myself a City fan now, and look out for results all the time, but I now live in Suffolk so don’t get to games; the last game I went to was when City were away to Tottenham and I was at West Ham, I must admit I sat watching the game with a little regret on leaving, but I always considered myself a good Championship player but an average Premiership player, so it was right for the club I moved on. 

MCFCForum.com: What are you doing now, have you stayed in football?

Kevin Horlock: I packed in playing professionally two years ago, and now play part-time for a team called Needham Market, and have also set up a soccer school for children between five and fourteen, where I do after school and holiday clubs, and I also help coach the football scheme at Suffolk College. The one regret I have with my time at City is that I didn’t get the opportunity to say goodbye to the fans like other players did, so I would like to take this chance and thank every fan who supported us through thick and thin; I’m delighted at the situation at City now, no other fans deserve success more! … CTID … Kev Horlock 

MCFCForum.com would like to thank bluemooner_mcfc for setting up this conversation, and especially Kevin Horlock for taking the time to talk to us.