Nickname: Dracs (fear of crosses, geddit?) – oh, and The Cat
Preferred position: Heroic ‘keeper
Actual position: ‘Keeper (but a more-than serviceable centre-back when duty calls…)
First season: 1988-89
First tour: Dublin, 1991
Why the Kenchels? Kidnapped by ‘Chels from Battersea Park, where I was playing with colleagues from Chelsea Building Society. Haven’t looked back since, which is a very dangerous thing to do these days given our defensive lineup
Best ‘Chels moments: Any clean sheets; saving penalties; scoring twice in the same match; saving an Andy Jacobs volleyed OG attempt from five yards in a 4-3 win at Durell a while back
Worst ‘Chels moments: Crosses; backpasses; Conceding four to Jake when he played for the oppo
Pre-match rituals: Hunting for correct keeper’s jersey; dodging Jake’s cannonball shots in the warm-up; watching various ‘Chels trot off to collect ball from behind goal, over fence, in trees, in neighbouring postcodes etc during the warm-up.
After match rituals: Licking wounds; berating forwards for not scoring more; commiserating with defence over OGs, penalties conceded (not), bookings etc
Most likely to say: KEEPER’S!!!!!!
Least likely to say: Volley it back to me! Make ‘em put a cross in!
Ambition: Retirement, with 100 Kenchels clean-sheets to my name and Mike Power writhing with envy…
