This interview with popular former striker Martin ‘Clunesy’ Thompson originally appeared in Issue 53 back in late 2008………..
In our Midland Combination infancy back in 2000/2001, Martin Thompson was a free scoring young striker for our title rivals Rugby Town. He scored in the first meeting at the New Windmill Ground, as Rugby won 2-0, but Brakes took the title. He also featured against us in several clashes the following two seasons, but in September of 2003, he switched allegiances and moved to the New Windmill Ground, the first of several players to make the move over the twelve months that followed, as our biggest rivals disappeared off the map. Perhaps he had a premonition of what was going to happen at Rugby, who knows, but the next 5 years saw Clunesy become a firm favourite among the Leamington faithful, even though he was not able to make as many appearances for the club as he would have liked, due to rotten luck with injuries.
He has scored some memorable goals for us, not least the late equaliser in the FA Vase tie at Studley, and the stunning volley at Atherstone that ultimately sent us to the Bescot Stadium, and League Cup glory, in 2007.
The one thing I have always found with Clunesy, is that he always had time for a chat, even if he wasn’t playing. One of the great things about our level of the game is that you are able to mingle with players, and as we are both relatively new to fatherhood, we have had something else to chat about over the last couple of years, as well as the football. I don’t think you’d find anyone at Leamington with a bad word to say about him. He always gave 100% for us, and you can’t ask for any more than that. Martin decided to leave Leamington in the summer, in search of regular first team football. He initially signed for Bedworth United, but then realised that wasn’t such a good idea, and switched to United Counties League side Wellingborough Town. We caught up with him for a chat about his time at Leamington.
Mr Cloonz. I must start by thanking you for the 100% commitment and entertainment you gave to Brakes fans during your 5 years with the club.
As it is nearly 5 years to the day since you made your debut, can you remember much about that match at Dudley Sports, and the goal you scored? (We won 2-0)?
Remember the game very well, Dave Care scored the first. Cadzy put me on for the last 15- 20 minutes. It was a long kick from Mozza (shock) I went up for the header, it bounced nicely, I took it on with a touch on my knee before volleying from the edge of the area! Clunsey was up and running!! Good times!!
Your record for the club is as follows:
games goals
2003/04 28 11
2004/05 8 1
2005/06 30 3
2006/07 48 14
2007/08 21 9
Ahem!! Did you have to show me that!? Not the best!!
Did it frustrate you that you suffered so much with injuries during your time at Leamington, particularly during the Midland Combination title winning season (2004/5)?
Bitterly disappointed with the amount of injuries I suffered at Leamington, I think I could have easily doubled my appearance record. As for the goals, well it wouldn’t have been hard to double that tally!
Which season would you rate as your most enjoyable at the club?
Without a doubt 2006/7, such a strong playing squad and 48 appearances wasn’t bad!!
Martin Thompson, Andy Gregory, Jason Cadden, Morton Titterton and Ben Mackey with the Midland Alliance League Cup at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium, May 2007.
Any games that stand out in your memory?
The 4-3 home game with “friendly rivals” Romulus in 06/07! Cracking game!!
What do you reckon was the best goal you scored for Leamington?
Definitely the volley against Atherstone in the cup semi final!!
Which striker/s do you feel you struck up the best understanding with while up front for the Brakes?
The lads will hammer me but I enjoyed playing up front with Paul Nicholls! (even though he was a greedy b*****d!!)
Did you feel that the fans were always on your side? I think it’s fair to say you enjoyed cult status, certainly with the North Bankers, as we appreciated the effort you put in.
Without question, the fans have always been superb towards me, and are one of the main reasons I enjoyed being at the club. I don’t think many players would maybe warm the bench as much! But I enjoyed the whole ‘magic’ of the club and wish them all the success they deserve in the future..
Clunesy spots 3-1 down Lee having a ‘moment’ after Brakes won promotion back to the Southern League in 2006/07
Any regrets from your spell with us?
Not one regret! The best thing I have possibly ever done!
Which team was better, the Midland Comb title winning side, or the Midland Alliance one?
Tough one!! No its not, Alliance side!!
Any funny moments, on or off the pitch, that you will remember?
Causeway at home, Jamie Towers was running towards the goal, and I remember the centre half screaming ‘let him shoot, let him shoot!!!!’ Towers obliged by sticking the ball in the top corner with a screamer!!
Will you still look out for Leamington’s results now you have left us?
It’s one of the first I find out, to be honest!
Did your enjoy our chants, or did the Men Behaving Badly theme tune p*ss you off ??!
Class tune, I loved it!! Think it should have been played over the P.A when I scored!
Some questions from ‘the floor’ (aka North Bank Banter forum. This way, I can distance myself from any dodgy ones!!)
Tom Thacker asks, Why did Martin leave Binley Woods u12’s to join Whitley Juniors?
Bad move, I went for a bit of success, the worst thing I have done. I hated the manager! Well he was Scottish!!
What injuries has he had down the years ?
Hamstrings!!!
Proudest moment? Medals etc?
Double Alliance winning season.
Enjoying the moment with the Midland Alliance trophy
And how he went from Rugby Town Reserves to well known, hard working, committed striking machine ?
Now you’re taking the piss Thacks!! As the question says, hard work and commitment!!
What do you think of your Uncle Tom?!
No comment!! Ha ha!
Were you ever worried about the reaction you would get from both sides, when Cadsey was trying to sign you ?
Didn’t enter my head one bit to be honest. I think it worked out ok!
Who were your footballing heroes?
1987 FA Cup winning side!! Legends!
Most famous place you’ve played football ?
Highfield Road!
Best player you’ve played with?
Steve ‘the sprinkler’ Wharton! Sprayed passes for fun!!
Pre match meal/superstition?
None whatsoever!!
Claim to fame?
I’ve had Girls Aloud… twice!!!
What would be your dream car ?
Porsche 911 GT4 Carrera
Curry or Chinese?
Both!!
What’s the worst away ground you have played at ?
Continental Star!!
Why has Cadsey not been sacked?
Coz he’s Mick Bradys secret lovechild!! Ssssshhhh!!!!!
Why is (Jamie) Towers s**t? (This isn’t serious, by the way. It’s a standing joke on NBB, because certain people are always on Jamie’s back, so they just have the piss taken out of them now!)
Obvious really, he’s always on the p*ss on a Friday night!! Got no right foot! No Pace! Can’t Jump! Basically a waste of space!! F*ck off Towers, you’re shit!! (Probably the kick up the ass he needs) Any more advice needed?? ha ha!
The people who stand at the front barrier behind the goals are selfish mother ***kers, aren’t they?
That’s why shooting practice is aimed at them at half time!! How dare they!
Do you think things would be better if we put a donk on it? (No, i have no idea what this means!)
I think they’re talking about Towers again!! You’ve missed out the ‘ey’!
Are the DFS ‘I wanna be a rock star’ adverts the most embarrassing pieces of s**t ever to grace our screens?
No. Towers was on TV once!!
Vince asks, Does Clunesy remember being rather ungenerous with his on pitch gestures to the Brakes fans at Rugby a season or two before he joined us? In the mists of time I can’t remember if he gave us:
- a) The bird
- b) V sign
- c) or a the sign that we enjoy our own company
Could he confirm which.
It was probably as a response to the strong banter given the other way.
He’s still a legend.
It was probably all three!! But then I was right Vince is a w****r!!
Would you play for Rugby Town again?!
Yeah, just to p*ss Vince off!!
We’d like to extend our thanks to Martin for taking the time to be plagued by the fanzine just once more, and wish him all the best for the future. Legend, as Vince said!
Who remembers those goal celebrations at Berkhamsted?!!
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