Blackjack\’s Blog

Nathan Pitchford is a raw talent. There are better keepers in terms of concentration and there are probably better technical keepers but very few will give you the passion and perseverance of this rising star of Tasmanian football. Pitchford is temperamental but he is also inspirational. He can be be petulant but he can be a phenomenal tower of strength to his team mates.

Pitchford himself admits behaviour is not a strong point for him but he’s been around the football fields of Tasmania for so many years we forget he is still only a teenager. Nathan is maturing and you only need watch how he helped to inspire his New Town Eagles team mates to give their all and avoid the dreaded drop into Div.1 He was a constant source of encouragement and if required, a bollocking too. But none was harder on Nathan Pitchford than Nathan Pitchford himself.

I firmly believe this young lad can become one of the most respected goalkeepers in Tasmanian football if he continues to apply himself and mature. There is no doubt there is a truck load of natural talent and leadership potential in which to tap into. Careful guidance from the right people will ensure this talent continues to gloss into a shining star.

G’day Nathan, welcome the Blackjack Blog and thanks for your time.

BJ - What’s your first ‘Football’ (soccer) memory??

Watching soccer at KGV with my dad and losing my soccer ball during a half time break! I also have to mention the incredible amount of time I spent at Metro with dad and getting my head in every team photo I could!

BJ - What team or club was your first and what position did you enjoy playing at this time?

Metro, and at that age positions were rotated but obviously I took a liking to keeping!

BJ - Who was the biggest influence on your game in these early years?

Definitely my dad I used to watch him play whenever I could!

BJ - Who did you model your game on or which player was your hero?

Peter Schmiechel is the best keeper I have seen, his presence and raw talent was amazing and I’ve watched many keepers on video and I don’t know of a better one. But I have to say I model my game around `the man’ Frank Mainella he taught me a lot at zebras and I love watching him play!

BJ - Can you list your representative achievements?

U/11-U/12 Northern suburbs. U/11 Southern Team, U/13 Southern, U/14 Southern, U/15 Tassie, U/16 Tassie, U/19 Tassie 3 times and once as captain, Southern and Tassie Men’s teams in 2007!

BJ - Were there any players from your rep days that could have been good senior players but went elsewhere?

Nathan Mills changed to footy, Sam Crosswell went to athletics, Tom Hallet unsure what he is doing now!

BJ - Can you recall any of the coaches that you believe helped to make you the player you are today?

Neil Connell because I did years of keeper training with him one on one, David Abela in a short time changed my attitude to the way soccer is played and some basic things that are often overlooked are the most effective, Dirk Gadd first rep coach and Franco Previdi because he was the first coach to really give me an opportunity as a senior player when I was only 15!

BJ - Which schools did you attend??

Hutchins, Rosetta Primary, New Town High and Guilford Young College!

BJ - Where you a good, average or poor student??

Behavior was not my strong point but academically I was pretty good, and surprisingly to most I actually have received academic awards which even I find amusing!

BJ - Who was your favourite teacher and which subject?

Subject was Maths or Sports Science and teacher was Mr Shepperd!

BJ - What were/are your dreams as a footballer?

I would love to play professionally but I don’t want to be in the position where I have nothing to fall back on so I’m intending on completing my Uni or a formal qualification before I try to move away again!

BJ - As you matured and were getting close to senior football, who were the people who were helping you to achieve your dreams??

Johnny Wheeler always encouraged me and wanted me to succeed and be the best I could but mainly coaches and my parents because they never pressured me but just encouraged the desire I already had!

BJ - When did you make your senior team (1st grade) debut??

2004 for Zebras as a 15 yr old against Metro in the summer cup, we won 1-0!

BJ - Do you remember which team you played in that debut match, and who was your direct opponent?

Metro and as a keeper everyone on that team is my opponent!

BJ - Describe your first senior goal?

It was a penalty in 2005 summer cup for eagles ironically against zebras in a penalty shoot-out!

BJ - How do you motivate yourself to play well?

I guess the pressure I put on myself to play well motivates me and I still feel as a young player I need to prove myself as both an individual and team player to a lot of people and that helps to drive me as well!

BJ - Do you have any pre-match routines or suspicions?

Listen to my ipod, pretty standard!

BJ - Who is the toughest player you have played against here in Tassie?

Tough as in “hard-nut” probably players like Begovic and Chris Wass because they give as good as they get and can be inspirational at times!

Toughest opponent maybe Mark Falzon because he had pace, great touch and could shoot from nothing and create chances and always contested the ball on the ground or in the air!

BJ - Who do you admire in the game here?

Brett Pullen for his sheer work rate, he is a machine!

BJ - Do you have any goals to play outside of Tasmania??

Yes, a second attempt would be great!

BJ - Tell us about these goals (if any)

Play pro as an ultimate but VPL or a state league would be great!

BJ - You had a brief spell in Victoria (Clifton Hill) early this year. Why the return home?

I’m a big softy and I really didn’t like Melbourne as a place I found it hard to live there despite how much I was enjoying the soccer!

BJ - How are things going at Eagles?

As a club we have hit a tough patch but with the players we have and the potential we can definitely become a successful club again and I want to be a part of that! As a group of guys we are always laughing and joking so I still feel like I’m in a good environment despite our poor form at times!

BJ - I’m not going to mince words here Nathan, there have been mutterings coming from the Eagles camp about lack of discipline, poor training sessions etc. What is all this about?

Training is about improvement and refining skills etc and some players at a senior level still want to turn up just have a game of 5v5! Sparky is a great guy and great coach and instead of winging some of our younger blokes found it hard to learn off him and adjust to his way and instead complained because we weren’t doing things the way they are used to! Lack of discipline is a problem at all clubs and I don’t think eagles are anywhere near the worst in the league so I don’t see a problem in that regard!

BJ - Why Eagles?

I received an offer to play seniors full time and I grabbed it! I also knew a lot of the players and found it easy to adjust with players I knew despite the new club!

BJ - Do you contribute to the game in any other way besides playing?

Yes I help out junior teams if they need to and a lot of the senior players are coaches at Eagles! And I do the odd keeping session if I’m asked to! I used to be a referee as well!

BJ - What are your living circumstances these days?(home? renting, sharing??)

Home!

BJ - Are you working? Uni? What’s keeping the wolf from the door?

Working at the moment!

BJ - What are the future plans for a profession?

I deferred a Uni offer for a Bachelor of Exercise Science so I think as a profession I could take it into many sporting and health related fields including Physiotherapy with another bit of Uni on top!

BJ - who’s your best mate?

Scotty Telega!

BJ - What are your career goals?

Just to be successful and as good as I can at whatever I do!

BJ - Do you cook and if so what is your favourite thing to cook?

My cooking skills are somewhat limited but when I cook I like pies and pasta!

BJ - Is diet important to you and your training regime?

I try to limit my junk food and cans of coke etc but my diet isn’t my be all and end all my mum does most of the cooking anyway and she is great and it’s mostly healthy!

BJ - What’s your biggest downfall in terms of food or drink, the things you eat/drink that perhaps you shouldn’t?

The weekends are a weakness and I drink too many things that I shouldn’t but I’m normally not too bad! I do have a lot of room to improve with food and drink though!

BJ - You played in the North v South challenge match before the Melbourne Victory v Adelaide game, how was that??

It was awesome just the crowd and the stage playing on such a good ground was good as well! I enjoyed every second I was out there!

BJ - Did it stir any emotions for you?

Just nerves really and I felt proud to have the opportunity!

BJ - What was the difference between the two sides?

I think our style of game was better and we executed our plays better! They play a lot of kick and run while we keep possession well and look to build plays and with such a nice ground it was a lot easier!

BJ - You have been selected in the State men’s team, was this a surprise for you?

It was a huge surprise I even said to Eamonn that I had no idea I was going to go close let alone make it!

BJ - Have you enjoyed the experience of being involved with the state team?

For sure because there hasn’t been one for such a long time and its great to see it revived and to be a part of it with such a good bunch of players!

BJ - What can you expect from the South Australian squad?

A lot of pace and they will be pretty organized! I think we can take it to them but it’s going to be hard!

BJ - Will you start in this match?

No idea!

BJ - Will Ian Parker continue in the coaching role at Eagles?

I don’t know, if he has had other offers he obviously needs to weigh up his options but I hope he does!

BJ - Ian was an excellent player, how do you rate him as a coach?

I think his methods might not be crystal clear but there is always a point and a purpose to what he does and if you can listen to what he says and work hard he has a lot to offer!

BJ - Surviving in the Southern Premier League must have been a huge relief for the club. Can you describe what it means for Eagles?

As far as I know Eagles have a large successful history in the old state league and I know there are a lot of ex-players that love coming to watch such a young team so it means a lot to a lot of people and I was so relieved when we survived! It now means that we have to concentrate on next year and building on our strengths and playing to our potential because there was no way we should’ve finished where we did!

BJ - I imagine Eagles will recruit for 2008. What type of player would best fit in??

A goal scorer simple as that we don’t score! We scored 14 goals in 18 games the least in the league and it’s not good enough!

BJ - If you could have any Tasmanian player at Eagles, who would it be?

An experienced head would be a huge boost but who that is I don’t know but every team could use a Brett Pullen or a Jono Ladic because they have the ability to control and win games!

BJ - Your Father (Steve Pitchford) is a prominent personality in Tasmanian football, does this create any problems for you?

Not really I mean a lot of people have told me how he used to play and things like that but as he regularly points out he only spent one week on the side lines due to suspension and it was for swearing! I mean from what I saw of my dad he was a very good player and I’m proud to be able to try and be good as well and create some sort of family line I guess but no, no real problems as such!

BJ - Do you clash with you father on any issues?

BACK PASSES! My brother filled in during a practice game and made the best tackle of his life and the ball spilled to me, dad pulled us up for a back pass… the issue is still unresolved after 5 years! We do have many discussions on decisions and games but its all in good fun I cant see either of us getting to serious about it!

BJ - Can you describe your routine for match day? What do you do to prepare for the match?

I always get there to watch the reserves just to relax and check out the ground and sit with the boys! I then normally listen to my ipod for about an hour before the game! And I always try and do the same warm-up routine!

BJ - What do you want to achieve at Eagles?? Is there anything left to achieve there for you??

I have only achieved players’ player I would love to win a best and fairest and be a part of the club as more then a player because I really like the club and the people there!

BJ - Which Tasmanian players you have played with or against do you admire?

Richard Lecszynski, he was awesome. I remember my first kick for Eagles sailed over Metro’s defence and ‘daggy’ ran on and chipped the keeper and it was a great moment! Frank Mainella he is awesome and his personality matches and how he hasn’t won a Vic Tuting I don’t know he has been a stand out for years!

BJ – What’s your opinion on the development programmes that are now available through FFT?

They are great and well overdue, and I’m very jealous because I would’ve loved to have been part of one!

BJ – Are full time squads the best option for development or should players be allowed to play at club level too?

They can’t hurt it is what all other states do and I guess we will have to look at the results and see if it is the best option or not!

BJ – The Tassie boys have just had some mixed results at Nationals (14s - 8th; 15s - 12th). Does this surprise you now the full time state programmes have been up and running for a few years?

Yeah I think it is very early to judge though because of the new programmes the set-up obviously needs work! I’m not saying I know anything about them because I don’t but I think it’s a good idea and I’m very surprised at the results because I have done some work with some of the boys involved and they are a great bunch which is promising for Tassie!

BJ - What could we do better to create better players here is Tasmania?

I think nurturing natural talent is the best way a lot of athletes can be moulded into good players but great players have something extra and have been refined and taught how to use that talent!

BJ - who’s your favourite referee in Tassie? Why?

Kim Barker, the way he interacts with players and his knowledge of the game from being a player puts him above the rest!

BJ - Do you think Tassie should aim for a return to State League or apply to put a team in the V-League?

I think state league is a way of building until we have the caliber of players to be able to be competitive at a V-League level!

BJ - Should a Tassie V-League team be a state team or a city based team?

I think if it was a city based team the best players in the state would be recruited and even out of state players because if other teams have no restrictions on where their players come from, why should we! State or city based the best players in the state would be involved!

BJ - If Tassie got a team in the V-League or even the A-League, would Nathan Pitchford consider turning out for them regardless of where you were
playing at the time?

Yes!

BJ - Do you have any aspiration of staying in the game after retiring as a player?

For sure, as a coach would be great!

BJ - Would you do anything differently in terms of your football here in Tassie if you had your time over again?

No!

BJ - What do you think of Tassie being included in Aurora TV’s (AUSTAR) Australian Premier League Show?

The most positive move that has been made in a long time!

Picture by Walter Pless

Ok here is the unabashed self promotion bit:

BJ - How did you hear about the Blackjack Blog?

Friends!

BJ - What do you think of it?

When the topic is held it’s good!

BJ - Do you have a favorite part of the blog?

Sunday night opinion time, it’s funny to see how many people really have no idea!

BJ - Anything you’d like to see added to the blog?

More positive comments!

Twenty Questions………..

1. CD or MP3 album/compilation in your car (home) player at this moment?

Birds of Tokyo! (yeah, I don’t know either…BJ)

2. Book or magazine on the bedside table

none!

3. Got any tattoos or piercings??

Used to have my ear done but not anymore!

4. Car you are driving?

Very pathetic Holden Gemini!

5. What did you eat last time you went out to dinner?

Pizza!

6. Best match you have ever seen live?

Both A-League Grand Finals!

7. Favourite TV show?

Scrubs!

8. Best piece of advise you have every been given & who gave you that advise?

“Believe in yourself and what you do!” John Wheeler!

9. Favourite nightclub/pub to go clubbing??

Anywhere as long as its fun!

10. What pets do you have?

None!

11. The thing you hate doing more than anything else?

Cleaning!

12. Last DVD or movie you watched?

Transformers!

13. What can’t you live without?

Family!

14. What brand of football boots do you wear?

Lotto, but Uhlsport is my favourite!

15. Best football player in the world?

Steven Gerrard his shooting, fitness, reading the game and distribution are unreal!

16. What musical instrument would you LIKE to be able to play?

I play drums so guitar it’s too hard!

17. Favourite destination you have visited for a holiday?

Gold Coast!

18. Would you prefer to visit the art gallery or see a ‘chick flick’

Chick flick and day art does not interest me at all!

19. What band or singer can’t you tolerate?

Josh Pyke!

20. What did you get your Mum for last Mothers’ Day??

Licorice allsorts and a teddy bear!

Nathan, on behalf on the Blackjack Blog I want to thank you for your valuable time and on behalf of our readers I want to wish you luck for your own career and for Eagles in 2008.

Blackjack