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My
latest interview took me to Southport Fire Station were I met White Watch
leading fire fighter Steve Haw, or to people in footballing circles,
Chivers.
To
most of the football fraternity who follow Southport at Haig Avenue, Steve
is an Icon and is well remembered for becoming their record goal scorer in
the 1992/93 season.
Despite
missing the first nine matches he still managed to hit 46 goals and none
of these penalties. A hard record to beat and one that could stand for
sometime.
A
former pupil at Gateacre Comprehensive, Steve progressed through the
school teams, represented Merseyside and enjoyed a spell with renowned
Eagle and Child were he twice won the National Cup.
After
a spell at Anfield with Liverpool (he was released at 19) Steve lost heart
with football and didn’t play for a season.
But
once football is in your blood its hard to stay away and he resumed his
career as a semi-pro with Altringham, Kirkby Town and Marine before
joining Southport in 1992 and scoring twice on his home debut against
Matlock Town.
I
asked Steve what makes him such a good goal scorer and, modestly he
replied that playing in good sides helps. He believes that the Southport
side of 1992/93 was a great team and added, with a broad grin, that his
pace and confidence with both feet also helps a little.
But
does he think he has achieved everything he wanted to in football. Again
modestly, he recons he has achieved what his ability has allowed him.
Steve
has played as an amateur for the Great Britain semi – pro squad in front
of 47,000 people in the Bankok National Stadium, won the Northern Premier
League, the Northern Premier Cup, Lancashire Trophy, Liverpool Senior Cup
(ten times) and was Northern Premier League Player of the Year.
But
to answer the question of achievement he says he would like to captained
the full England squad and won the World Cup.
So,
Steve, you obviously set your standards quite high. He replied: “Yes I
do, but you can’t do this on your own, you need a strong supporting
family. My wife Lesley and three lovely children – Christopher, Jennifer
and Jack – have let me achieve as much as I could in the sport,
especially when you have to hold down a full time job as well.
After
experiencing so many good times in football I presumed he must have had
disappointments as well. He has.
“Being
released by Southport in the same season that they went on to play at
Wembley was a disappointment, but not the biggest. I stood on the terraces
that day and cheered them on with all the other fans.
“But
I was deeply upset by the way Paul Futcher just phoned me one Sunday
afternoon to tell me I wasn’t needed in his plans.
I
would have thought more of him if he had told me face to face. To end a
six year spell at the club like that hurt.”
But
it was at Southport that Steve played with whom he considers his best
strike partner Peter Davanport .”Peter made my life easy with his
overall ability to hold the ball and read the game. I also partnered
Luther Blissett near the end of his career.”
But
what about managers? “Brian Kettle, Billy Ayre and Ronnie More all stand
out for their own reasons but Roly Howard stands out for his motivational
skills and his passionate half-time and full time team talks and his
temper.
“
I remember the incident with the swag bag. Roly would throw anything he
could get his hands on and on this occasion it was swag bag with
everybody’s money and watches in it.Roly ended up having to pay for all
the watches to be repaired that he had broken.
Perhaps
we should call him Rolex Howard!
Steve
is currently playing fro Witton Albion and, at 38 wants to play for as
long as he can although he sees himself in a coaching roll in the future.
I feel I have a played under a lot of good managers and that I could offer
something on the coaching side if I was given the opportunity,”
Steve
is now hoping to win a third European Championship with the England Fire
Brigade Service Team in Greece later this Year and has been picked as
captain.
As
a good mate, I wish him all the best. There is nothing quite like carrying
the flag for your Country. I did in 1994 at the start of the European
Kickboxing Championships. That was also in Greece lets hope it’s a lucky
omen. |
