Darren’s 20 of the best

So in his testimonial season Darren has given us an exculsive chance to put your questions to the Walsall stalwart.

Here are your questions and Darrens answers

1. At what age did you start playing football?

I’ve played football for as long as I can remember, I used to watch my Dad play on a Sunday and so I started playing very young but I can’t remember what age.
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> 2. What was the first team you played for as a child?

Tetney Rovers
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> 3. What prompted the move from Derby to Grimsby?

Grimsby came in with an offer and with them being a my home team and it seemed time to move on from Derby as they were bringing in new foreign players and I knew my place in the team was going to be hard to keep
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> 4. I have friends that are Grimsby fans that remember you fondly do you still have links with the area.
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I’m from Cleethorpes and all my family and friends still live around that area. I try to get back home at least one a month.

> 5. What is your favourite Walsall goal?

Bournmouth away 98-99 It was an important goal and I remember it well
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> 6.Most memorable match

Bolton away in the Coca cola Cup, I think we lost but I remember the game and felt I played my best.
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> 7. When you broke your leg at Yeovil, there were rumours about a lack of contact from Yeovil players after the incident and hence some bad feeling…. true or false.

True. I did get a card from the Yeovil staff and manager but I was disappointed that the player who caused it made no attempt at contacting me even to see if I was ok.
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> 8. Not including Richard Money who was the favourite manager you played under and why.

Its difficult to pick one manager as they all bought something different to the club.
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> 9. What is the most embarrassing thing to happen to you on a football pitch?

In a Derby v Stoke game I was warming up on the touchline. I was doing the stretches where you kick your foot out in front of you with your leg straight to hit your hand, I lost my footing and fell straight on my bum, in from of the Stoke fans!!
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> 10.Whats been the best dressing room prank you have played or been on the receiving end of.

Last season each time I went into the dressing room all my kit was rolled up small and tapped up. I was sure it was Keates but he’d be with me in the gym when it happened and I just couldn’t find the culprit. It went on for 4 months! I’ve only just found out it was Keates and Pead working in tandem!!
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> 11.As Walsall?s Mr versatile you play in a number of positions but what?s your favourite.

I enjoy playing in Mid Field best. You can get a feel for the game and see the action.
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> 12. Who is the best player you have played with whilst at Walsall and why.

Paul Merson. The way he anticipated the game and the way he saw it was unbelievable.
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> 13. Who is the player you most wanted to be like, and who was your childhood hero?

Again Paul Merson, his ability on the pitch is awesome. I used to love watching him when I was a kid and it was an honour to play on the same pitch as him.
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> 14.What does the future hold, do you see yourself as a coach or manager

I’d look at going into coaching or management if the opportunity arose, but I’m not sure whether it will happen or not. I’d like to stay involved with the game at some level even if its only refereeing
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> 15. Do you have any foot balling superstitions or pre match routines?

Not really, I used to touch wood before a game but then I broke my leg so I don’t do that any more. If the team or I play well then I’ll try to keep the same routine and not change much.
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> 16. Who do you think is the best player in world at the moment, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Rooney Messi or someone else, and why?

It’s difficult to choose because they all bring something to their own position and I am in awe of the talent of so many. If I was pushed for one I would have to say Gerrard. His energy and no nonesense tackles and he gives everything to the game.
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> 17. Who was the best natural finisher you have seen at Walsall?

Mark Robbins, He was only with Walsall for a short time but he was an easy natural goalscorer with such a deft touch.
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> 18. If you could change anything in the game to make it better what would you change?

The technology. The ability to look at a monitor and decide if a ball was over the line, if it was a penalty I think it would really improve the game.>
> 19 Goal line tech equipment good idea or bad

Definately good. Anything that can help the correct decisions to be made has to be good for the game.
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> 20.Who do you think has improved you as a player most and why

Ray Graydon. He was strict but he passed on so many good tips that I took on board, he really helped to improve my game.
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Of course Darren recently had a question and answer evening with ex Walsall manager Paul Merson, which was a great success, and attended by players and fans alike.

Other events are in the pipeline for Darren so watch this space for further details, or have a look at Darrens own site. To go to the Darren Wrack Testimonial site CLICK HERE