I en af træningskampene før denne sæson spillede Pompey mod Bournemouth. Det var samtidig klubbens tak til Alan McLoughlin som har været spiller, træner for akademiet og senere førstelagstrener.

Så Macca der var ganske populær blandt fansene, fik af klubben en fin testamonialkamp.

En som Macca, der over 12 år har været involveret hos Pompey, ja han sagde faktisk ja til at svare på vores spørgsmål fra A-Z.

Så læs med og hør hvem Macca syntes var de bedste spillere han har spillet med og mod, og hvordan hans Pompey XI ser ud.

A – Ardiles was the manager who saw you flourish at Swindon, what have you taken from him into your own coaching? 

I have taken the route to allow my players to express themselves and not to inhibit them, I have taken inspiration from Ossie, in trying to make all my players believe they are good players, if I give them positive reinforcement then I hope they can take that energy into training and games.

B – Alan Ball was manager at hard times at Pompey, was he only a motivator as some say, or how did you see him? 

I saw Alan Ball as a passionate man who liked players who were brave and not afraid to express themselves with and without the ball. He wanted commitment and flair mixed together, if he liked you and your football ability then you would be in a far better position to grow and work in his team or squad.

C – Coaching, which coach has influenced you most as a coach? 

Eric Harrison the Manchester United youth coach, he notably was responsible for Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, Nevilles, Butt etc
But he also developed, Mark Hughes, Norman Whiteside to name two others and of course, me as I started my carrier at Manchester United in 1983 and left as a professional in 1986 to join Swindon town FC, In many aspects of his coaching and still use them today to develop young players in every aspect of the journey in professional football.

D – Dressing room, what is the worst dressing room you have been to of all the stadiums you have played at?

It was a stadium in Lithuania when the Republic Of Ireland played a Euro 2000 qualifier. It was basically a square room with carpet in with normal chairs you would use to sit at a table as your changing place. There was wood paneling on the walls, it had no natural light and it seemed like it was a room they used as a meeting room not a changing room. It wasn’t all that bad, I think we won 3-1 on the night and I played the full 90 mins.

E – Eleven, from your time at Pompey, which players would, made your starting XI?

Alan Knight
Warren Neil, Andy Awford, Kit Symons, John Beresford
Darren Anderton, Alan Mcloughlin, Jeff Peron
Paul Walsh, Guy Whittingham, John Alosi

F – Fast, who is the fastest with the feet and brain, you played with at Pompey?

Fastest with feet their feet was Preki Radosavljevic and with the fastest brain, Paul Walsh

G – Gimmick, what’s the best gimmick you have made on a fellow Pompey player? 

Put ‘dog crap’ under Gerry Creaney’s driving seat, it took him three car cleaning valets before he eventually found it. It was pay back to something he did to me car.

H – Hope, a lot of young players dream of a career as a footballer, but few succeed, what advice would you give to parents?

Leave the coaches and manger to get on with the job that they are qualified to do; you look after him at home we/I look after him/them in training.

I – Ireland, you sent your country to the world cup with your goal, how was the reaction after the game from your teammates at Pompey?

As you would expect they were all pleased for me and congratulated me on the Thursday morning but that was it by Friday they and I were thinking about Saturdays fixture.

J – Junk food, how do see the culture changing regarding what to eat, from when you were a young player and those you work with now?

We have a better understanding now of how food and your food intake effects your body during training and games. Everyone now eats the correct energy and protein foods to fuel and protect their bodies. When we played everyone ate the same things so there wasn’t really advantage between players. If I knew then what I know now it would have helped my preparation and recovery after games.

K – Alan Knight,we all know the legend, but how was it to play with him?

Excellent, Alan was very reliable and had a very good record at keeping clean sheets at PFC, he was also very well respected which is a huge advantage to have with your team mates and the opposition.

L –love, its seems that you love to work with young players, what is so special about it?

Taking raw talented players and developing them, technically, tactically, physically and psychologically to understand what it takes to be a pro football player and to have longevity in the game. You get nothing in football or life by not working and concentration every training session you partake in. Also to see a young player make his debut and make a carrier in football after imparting hours of knowledge to help them achieve their goal to play for PFC or another team.

M – Macca is your nickname, but have you actually had another nickname?

No that’s it!

N – Nordic, have you ever been to Norway, Denmark or Sweden?

I have been to all three countries playing football.

O – Oasis, you went to class with Noel Gallagher who is a big Man C fan. What if you had swopped, and he would have been the player and you a musician, how would that have worked out?

I would be richer than him as he is richer than me now. Well done to Noel, he deserves it!!

P – Player, which 3 players are the best you have played with and against in your career?

With, Paul McGrath, Roy Keane, Ronnie Whelan.
Against, Paulo Maldini, Gheorghe Hagi and Zvonimir Boban.

Q – Question, what are the weirdest question you have been given?

This one!!!

R – Roots, back at Swindon where your career kicked off, what have changed since you were a young lad at Swindon?

My Mancunian accent has softened and my body and legs don’t go as fast as they once did.

S – South coast derby, you played one derby for Pompey where they lost 0-3. You played for both clubs, but how it was? Was it just a game or was it special?

It wasn’t just a game it was more than that it was two cities wanting the bragging rights; we wanted to win desperately but were beaten on the day. But I was very proud to be wearing my No 4 blue Pompey shirt that day even thou we lost and we were embarrassed as players and staff, it still meant a lot to me to play against my former team for Pompey, I was gutted to say the least.

T – Tackler, who was the best tackler you played with together at Pompey?

Andy Awford

U – Utility, how many different positions have you played at during your whole career?

Everyone, apart from goalkeeper

V – Vikings, which three players from your Pompey time would have been Vikings?

Matthias Svenson, Johnny ‘Lager’ Durnin and Guy Butters

W – World Cup how was it to play the world cup, especially when you weren’t selected for the squad at the first?

I was selected for the 1994 squad, I made the 1990 squad late on becauseJack Charlton changed his mind on a player and decide to take me instead, it was a surprise but a great surprise, it was an honor and a pleasure to represent The Republic Of Ireland