Platty has only been at the club for a week but our new goalkeeper has taken the time to share some of his thoughts with Pitmen supporters.
Joining Hednesford
“I’m really excited, it’s a massive club and I can’t wait to get started. Every time I come to Hednesford and see the facilities and the stadium, I think how are this club in this league? I’m hoping as with Halesowen I can get some affinity with the supporters and become a favourite at Keys Park.”
“I know Louis (Ezewele), Curls and Hursty and have played against a couple of the lads before so it’s not all new to me. I am also good friends with Cheyenne Dunkley who I lived with for a bit and he always spoke highly of his time at Hednesford.”
Other new signings
“I think Gary has made some good signings so far and I am looking forward to seeing who else he brings into the group. So far, there is a really good age range with players who are experienced but are still young enough to get about the park. I’m expecting a hard working side with lots of energy, but also with the guile and craft to do well in this type of league.”
Central league
“I played Northern Premier for three seasons before playing last season in the Central League, there is definitely more football played in the Central and it is less physical with more technical players, so we will see how we go.”
Leaving Halesowen Town
“It’s a bit gutting and I’m hopeful that there are no hard feelings. I was there for four seasons, the fans really took to me, and I took to them. I didn’t really want to drop down to step four and in all honesty I feel I have performed well at step three for Halesowen. I have always been told play as high as you can for as long as you can. I am getting to an age now where I am probably coming into my prime and if I want to take football seriously and progress, I need to play at step three. I am positive that Paul (Smith) is going to do really good things especially alongside Snapper (John Snape)! I think they will be building a side ready to win that league and come straight back up and I wish them every success for next season”.
Previous clubs
As well as four seasons at The Grove, Platty started his career at Crewe before moving onto AFC Telford; “I also played for Evesham and Nantwich for around 35 games each club as well as around 20 odd for Redditch.”
Ouch
Early on during his spell with the Yeltz a clash of heads left Platty with a nasty injury; “I lost my three front teeth! Definitely my worst moment in football, lol!” The other guy was knocked unconscious!
Greatest ever keeper
“I like Iker Casillas, his shot stopping was probably the best I’ve ever seen. In today’s game I really like the way Ederson plays”.
Next season.
“I would like to hope we would be pushing for a play-off place. With some of the players Gary has bought in, I would hope that to be the case, we just have to build a good team spirit and work ethic. As Alvechurch showed last season you don’t have to have the biggest budget in the league to be right up there in the mix.”
