Ray Wilkinson Interview

[Tipster]

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/smalltalk/story/0,13852,1487517,00.html

A stressed PR man (SPRM) agreed to give Small Talk "two minutes, tops"
to chat to Ray Wilkins about tomorrow's FA Cup Final. And then
immediately set his clock running

Paul Doyle
Friday May 20, 2005


'Butch' Wilkins, pressed for time but always polite. (Photo: Lawrence
Griiths/Getty)

[SPRM to Wilkins: "Ray, can you give a quick word to The Guardian?",
Ray, slightly flustered: "Blimey, The Guardian! This is gonna be
serious"]
Good morning Butch. So who's going to win the FA Cup, then?
I've got a slight inkling for Man Utd. From my heart, firstly, because
I played there, but also from my head because I think the loss of
Thierry Henry is a massive blow to Arsenal; you need your biggest
players in your biggest games so his absence swings it in Man Utd's
favour.

United have been better without Ruud van Nistelrooy this season: should
Fergie leave him out tomorrow?
Well, as I was just saying, you need your big players in big games and
there's none bigger than him so I'd be inclined to lob him in. He may
not be at his best, but on big occasions on the world stage,
world-class players come to the fore.

Your swirling drive that found the net from 25 yards in the 1983 Cup
final against Brighton: the highlight of your career?
It was one of them without a shadow of a doubt, but the more important
thing came on the Thursday when we actually won it because on the
Saturday we were very bloody fortunate to come away with a draw: Gary
Bailey made a wonderful save at the end. So my goal on the Saturday
pales into insignificance compared to the win on Thursday, when we
played very well.

An associate of Small Talk says you're the nicest man in football. Can
you confirm or deny?
[Surprised laughter] I certainly can't confirm that, I assure you!

[Wistfully] But if not you, who?
I wouldn't have a clue, there's bundles of nice people in football.

What's the last CD you bought
[SPRM: "That's two minutes now, gents"] Christ, I don't know, I hardly
ever buy 'em!

You don't like music?
I love music but I couldn't tell you who my favourite band is because
my taste is so varied it's embarrassing.

What's your favourite TV show?
[Racks his brains] Well, the one I'm enjoying at the moment is CSI.

Good choice, Ray. And your favourite TV detective?
Jesus Christ, you're really taking me by surprise here.

TJ Hooker, Morse, Starsky and Hutch?
[Remains calm as increasingly agitated PR man cackles "can we wind this
up now please?"] I guess James Bond would have to be top of the list.

Have you applied for the role of the new James Bond? You're smooth
enough to pull it off.
Do you really think so? I'd need a bloody good wig!

Cheese or chocolate?
Cheese.

And your poison?
A glass of wine. Italian dry white, if you must know.

Just a couple more Ray, thanks for staying with us. What type of car do
you drive?
A nice blue Mercedes.

Chelsea blue? Not far off.

What's the last book you read? [Politely, but clearly under pressure to
finish up] I haven't read a book in years. Probably the Bourne
Identity.

And the best player you ever played with or against? Franco Baresi,
without a doubt.

One last question, Ray. Can you tell us a joke? ["Ray, we're running
late, we really are"] No, it seems I can't! Bye Small Talk.

Bye Ray, thanks for your time! No problem, Small Talk.