Exclusive: AFCL Manager Derek Goulding Interview

In an exclusive interview with Kop-TV, AFC Liverpool manager Derek Goulding shares his thoughts on the club’s forthcoming first competitive fixture against St. Helens Town, the Vodkat Cup and AFC Liverpool’s coverage over on the official Liverpool FC TV channel, LFC TV.

First things first, your thoughts on your forthcoming first-ever competitive match as AFC Liverpool? Excited! A lot of hard work has been put in behind the scenes by the steering group and club members to get us to this stage. This is the first step of the journey and every great adventure and historic journey began with one small step and this is our first step. We can’t wait for it to begin.

Your expecting a big turnout for the game, the ground can hold 1,000 but many believe that you could fill the stadium several times over, do you think the players will be able to handle such pressure at such an early part of the club’s existance. If the rumours are true that we could fill the stadium several times, that would be absolutely incredible. It will be a great achievement to get the 1000 sold out, and the players will relish the moment.

We all want to perform in front of the largest audiences possible. They shouldn’t feel any pressure at all, they will certainly enjoy the atmosphere and thrive on the occasion I’m sure.

How happy are you with the players at AFC Liverpool’s disposure, anyone to look out for in particular, any hidden gems? Non-league football is littered with hidden gems, some still young enough to make an impression in the professional game. Here at AFC Liverpool we are aiming to be the best non league team in the area, so I’m confident we will be able to attract players of the highest calibre, for the level we are playing at.

One factor you seem to be focusing on is the Liverpool community, how are things progressing in terms of youth teams, school visits etc..? We already in the short space of time, since our formation, have in place, a first team, reserve team, under 18’s, two under 16’s teams, a womens team, followed by under-16s and under-14s teams for girls.

Eventually we do intend to have all junior teams and we certainly want to fully integrate with our community and form a unique bond with them.

AFC Liverpool’s inclusion in the Vodkat Cup is great news, how do you think the team will fair, can we actually go all the way and win it? I’m optimistic we’ll be a force straight away at this level, which I feel will give us a good chance in this trophy. It won’t be easy though, the football is very competitive in non- league and if we get through at Holker we’ve then got a tough test at last years champions New Mills.

It’s tough to win any trophy at what ever level you play, but we will be setting out to achieve success, somewhere along the line in our first season.

Coverage on LFC TV is another tremendous coop, how excited are you about the prospect of TV coverage? To be accepted by LFC and the letter Rick Parry sent to the club has been a massive boost to everyone at AFC.

The coverage on LFC TV is just the icing on the cake. If there are Liverpool supporters out there who can’t get to Anfield to support the reds then hopefully they will be encouraged to come and support us, we play in red, we have a liverbird on our chest and we play with great passion and pride for Liverpool.

We feel really privileged to be associated with Liverpool FC and the support they have given us so far has been fantastic.

Some former Reds are showing their support to the AFCL cause, are there any more legends in the pipeline? Yes its been great to get support from some of the LFC legends and the football club its self. Liverpool FC is very close to the hearts of the people behind this club and everyone involved with it and I know when we receive messages of support from LFC and its legends it gives everyone a massive lift. We need as much support as we can get and hopefully there will be other legends who will send messages of support in the future.

Thanks for your time Derek, it is greatly appreciated and you have the full support of Kop-TV cheering you on.

For full information on AFC Liverpool, visit the club’s official website.