BIlly Turley Q and A
We asked the fans to send in their questions for Billy Turley, and hundreds of you wrote in. The first question was kind of inevitable!
Why do you shout so much?
"To keep the defenders on their toes! It's also about being involved and keeping my concentration. I've tried not to do it, when I first started playing, I tried to curb it, but I wasn't the same player so I went back to it. The vast majority of it is encouraging them, although I do tell them off when they need it. It works for me and if you ask any of the defenders they love it as well. They're always on at me to keep on at them because there's no malice. Me and Quinny are best mates and have arguments on the pitch, but as soon as the game is over it's all forgotten."
How did you feel when your penalty against Exeter hit the post?
"I thought it was going to hit the inside of the post, roll along he line, hit the other and go in, but it never happened. It was heartbreaking. All season I'd taken them in training and scored, and I never had a doubt in my mind that I'd score. It wasn't even half an inch in it. It hit the inside of the post and could've gone along the line? But better players than me have missed penalties and at least I had the bottle to take one. At least I was able to then save the next one, which helped me get over it. I never thought I was going to miss it, but maybe last year just wasn't meant to be for us.
How long are you going to play for?
"Kevin Poole is playing for Burton at 44, David James is 37, so I don't know. Football has changed massively in the last few years. The food we eat and the way players look after themselves off the pitch means keepers play longer. Touch wood I haven't had many bad injuries and I want to play as long as possible. If you look after yourself then there should be no problems. Stanley Matthews played until he was 56. I'll be playing at that age, even if it's on a Sunday morning somewhere."
How did the whole Elvis thing start?
"I don't know. My Mum and Dad were more into Motown so when we used to go on holiday to Cornwall we'd have five hours of that in the car. But then when I was about twelve I heard Elvis properly and I'd never heard anything like it. I just love everything about him. I went to Graceland, loved it, and was chuffed when an American lady told me I looked a bit like Elvis!"
You are now Number One in the United squad. Was that important?
"I have a tattoo with Numero Uno on my arm, and won two championships with the number one on my back. I asked Tards before the season and he was fine with it, so I'm hoping that it will be third time lucky."
Who should be England's keeper (if not you)?
"Chris Tardif. Hodgy could still make a comeback because I'm sure he's still registered. I thought Paul Robinson did well when he got into the side, and Ben Foster was excellent last season, but it should be whoever is playing well at the time. David James did well last year too. If pushed I'd go for Tards every time though."
The footballs get lighter every year. Does that make a difference to keepers?
"Yes, definitely. Rule changes made it harder for keepers, and then every year the footballs have different coatings. When they're wet they're like a bar of soap, and people don't realise that, although I quite like the ones we've got this year."
Which goalkeeping coaches have helped you along the way before ?
"The first was Tony Godden who used to play at West Brom. He was with me at Northampton then moved to Rushden. He was followed by Stuart Naylor, who is now at Bristol City.
"Then the old master, Alan Hodgkinson, Yoda, came along. What he doesn't know about goalkeeping isn't worth knowing. He is so good on the mental side of things. You can relate to him, know he's been there and done it, and 90% of goalkeeping is in your head. He has been brilliant and I wish I'd worked with him ten years ago. They say 90% of the game is mental, and I'm more mental than most so I can't see why I'm not in the Premier League! Actually, this is the first season I've been in the Premier, even if it is the Blue Square!"
Thanks to Billy and to the fans who sent in questions. Next up is new striker Gary Twigg. Send in your question for Gary to admin@oufc.co.uk














