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MATTY McNEIL: Former fruit and veg man ready for Chelsea
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Borat's about so watch out!
Simon Carter4/ 1/2007
MACCLESFIELD striker and fans' favourite Matty McNeil isn't too
happy with his new image.
"I look nothing like Borat," he said. "If I look like anyone it's
the other one he takes off, Ali G, but now all I get from the
stands and even from my own team-mates is `Borat, Borat.'"
But as he protests, he cannot help but smile because the muscular
6ft 4ins striker is only too delighted to be in the limelight after
10 years as a non-league journeyman.
Only nine months ago, Oldham-based Matty was delivering fresh fruit
and veg to pubs and clubs the length and breadth of the country,
yet on Saturday he is set to lead the line for Macc against the
multi-millionaires at Chelsea.
"In the past a big game for me was when Hyde United played
Manchester City reserves and because Bradley Wright-Phillips was in
the side, his brother Shaun came to watch.
"I was made up just thinking that a player like Shaun
Wright-Phillips was watching me. Now I may get to play against
him."
Not the most subtle of footballers, Matty could not be mistaken for
a Martin Peters or Johnny Giles, but he believes what he does have
can be a nightmare for any defender - even John Terry.
Desire
"I know my strengths. I have got tremendous desire. I am good in
the air and if anyone wants a battle, they've come to the right
man," he stressed.
"I am not going to say I am going to do Ashley Cole for pace, and
then round the keeper and stick it in the corner.
"But if I get those three things right on the day, I will be give
anyone a tough afternoon's work."
Matty has done the rounds of non-league football collecting a haul
of silverware as his assets prove worth their weight in spuds in
the lower leagues.
"I had a trial for Wigan at the age of 15, but that didn't work out
and I played Sunday League football until I was 19. I then joined
Curzon Ashton reserves and from there I got a chance with
Altrincham reserves," he added.
"Then I got into the first team and got offers of trials with
Burnley and Crewe. I went to Burnley and had a month there but I
got injured and when I came back Altrincham didn't need me.
"So then I went to Woodley Sports and had two great years. Then I
went to Stalybridge and from there I went to Woking, but came back
to Stalybridge where we won the treble."
For the uninitiated, the treble is not the Champions League,
Premiership and FA Cup, but the Unibond Premiership, Cheshire
Senior Cup and President's Cup.
Chance
Matty continued: "I then got a chance with Hyde United and had
another two really good years, which was when Brian Horton and
Macclesfield came in for me. I thought my chance had gone at the
age of 23 or 24 so to get a chance at 29 was fantastic.
"Don't get me wrong I am really proud of my achievements at
non-league level. I have won a whole chest of silverware but now I
might even play against Chelsea, I can't believe it.
"When the draw was made I was sitting at home and when each team
like Salisbury or Chester or Bury was drawn, I kept on saying
please don't be Macc.
"So when Chelsea came out and number 50 was drawn as Macc, I just
couldn't stop jumping about the room."
Contracted to the end of the season, McNeil is hopes to impress new
boss Paul Ince and earn another contract and says: "I'd love the
chance to learn more from the gaffer.
"He's an inspiration and I can't tell you how hard we have been
working.
"Under our ex-army fitness instructor Duncan Russell, just the
warm-up is about the same as a session we used to do."
The Chelsea game will be a day out for all the family with his wife
Tracey and his two sons Dwight (7), Baille (4) and baby daughter
Chiara all in the stands.
"If I do nothing else in football at least I'll have something to
tell my grandchildren," he said.
What tactics should Macc use against Chelsea? Have your say.
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