Stan and Steve Georgiou Interview

Steve - What are your memories of the first ODs game. You scored the first ever goal for ODs in that 3-3 game - can you name your team mates and the other scorers that day?

Players involved in the club for the first season.

Andy Downie, Tony Montague, George Gator, Chris Ginns, John Mullen, Warren Tomlinson, Martin

Chalmers, Phil Gleadall, Tom Cooksey, Dave Neasham, Mike Brown, Dave Crawford, Paul (Munch)

Marlow, Mick Robinson, Chris Bolton, Neil Smith, Darren Snee, Steve Georgiou

“I can remember the first game being played on a park’s pitch in Leighton Buzzard and we drew 3-3. I

scored the first goal with a tap in and Chris Bolton scored the other 2.

It was a great grounding for me playing men’s football at 16 to go on to playing for Farnborough

Town for 2yrs (Vauxhall Opel league/Isthmian), Dunstable Town for 6yrs (Beazer homes

league/southern league) and Vauxhall Motors for 1 season (Vauxhall Opel league/Isthmian) at steps

2 & 3.”

Stan - How does it feel to follow in your Dad’s footsteps?

“It feels great to follow in my Dad’s footsteps and I feel privileged to play for the same club he played

for!”

Stan - How aware were you of your Dad being a footballer? - when did you start to want to be a

footballer yourself? Did you ever watch your Dad play?

“I was always aware of my Dad playing football as he used to take me out from such a young age but

it’s a shame I never got to see his career as it finished before I was born, so I’ve never been able to

see him play competitively.”

Steve - Did you push Stan to play or did he just want to emulate his Dad?

“Stan kicked a ball from the moment he could walk and loved it so I never had to put pressure on him

to play....I would have done if he didn’t like it straightaway!

I love watching Stan and watching your son play is the next best thing to playing and I miss it so

much. "

Steve - You were still at School when you started playing for the ODs. Did that present any

additional challenges?

“Me and Darren (Snee) were in the 5th form at the time and the only school pupils to play. We were

calling the teachers ‘sir’ in the week and had to sit in the corner of a pub after away games waiting

for them to stop drinking and drive us home....I still blame them for putting me on the road to ruin!”

Steve - You represented both Dunstable teams - any particularly fond or funny stories to share?

“At Dunstable we went bankrupt a couple of times and knew we were in trouble when different

coach companies turned up for away games because we hadn’t paid the bill! There are too many

other stories to tell that can’t come out in a match day programme!”

Both - Highlights of your career and aspirations for the future?

Stan – “I’ve always wanted to be a footballer throughout my whole life and I think the main reason

for that is my Dad giving up so much time and taking me all around the country from such a young

age! The highlight of my career so far would have to be making my debut in men’s football as that’s

something I’d dreamed of for years. My aspirations are to go to USA and study at college whilst still

playing football.”

Steve - “My best moment in football was scoring the winner for Farnborough in a final at Aldershot

ground with my family and friends watching and getting man of the match presented to me.... Stan

doesn’t believe me but it’s on on VHS video but I can’t play it!”

Steve - How difficult is it to let Stan do his own thing and not get too involved during games?

“I never say anything to him during the game apart from a thumbs up. We have a good chat about it

in the car afterwards about positioning and driving forward into midfield etc but football has

changed so much since my day and the management know far more than me with modern football!

I just want Stan to enjoy his football and go as far as he can in the game. He loves the team spirit and

the club’s ethos of playing total football from the back to the front. He really wants to go to the USA

for the soccer which the club can hopefully help send him through.”

Steve - What is the difference at the club now from your days?

“The ground has changed so much aesthetically since I played and had a massive old school stand

that didn’t pass any health and safety criteria. We had the changing rooms under the stand and had

a big tiled, sunken bath where we had a beer and talked about the game amongst the mud and

blood!”

Both - Who are your sporting heroes? Who inspires you?

Steve - “My hero was tony Currie and I watched Leeds all round the country in the 80s when my

football allowed. Stan supports Leeds and wouldn’t be allowed to support anyone else!”

Stan – “My role model in life is my Dad but as I’ve never seen him play my sporting hero would have

to be Lionel Messi. From such a young age I’ve loved watching him as he’s proved you can still be the

best whilst being a top person off the field and humble!”

Many thanks to Steve and Stan for their time and input in to this piece.