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Captain Spotlight - Mike Gallagher

Captain Spotlight - Mike Gallagher

paul makinen24 May 2016 - 07:21
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This guy needs no introduction - he's just led the club through by far it's best season in a decade. Ladies and gentlemen it's 'Aussie' Mike Gallagher

Name
Aussie Mike

Which position(s) do you play?
10 although my height often sees me begged into in the backrow.

Which team do you play for?
1sts/anyone that'll have me.

How old were you when you started playing?
Started when I was seven. Some thirty odd...err....a long time ago.

What do you like to do outside of rugby?
I have an active and varied lifestyle thanks for asking. Mostly I like to spend my time selecting and discussing my starting first XV rugby side from star wars episodes 4 to 6.

What's your favourite drink?
Booze

What's your favourite food?
A hearty bowl of carrot and potato (rat) stew is tough to beat. Outside of that, steak.

Favourite moment in your rugby career to date?
I couldn't pick one without doing a disservice to others. I think those few moments in the huddle in the changeroom just before heading out will be what I miss most. Any time you lead Old Bedians out on the pitch is truly special.

Who is the longest in the shower?
I haven't seen anyone shower as long as Pat Willis. He's still in there and the season finished a month ago.

Who is the most skilful?
Individually Loz Smith or Rob Oliver. Cant leave Danny Gardiner off this list though. Hell of a player.

Who is the hardest trainer?
These days I'd probably say Jordi. Previously Rogerson.

Who is the worst dressed?
Tough one and looking at the large field any choice would be contentious. Ultimately I think Cheese wins for consistency but it was no walkover. Bannell was right up there.

Who is the best boozer?
Ahhh the age old question. Pat Doherty vs Cheese for speed. The current champion of the over 35 but under 40 Southern Hemisphere Gassy Lager League deserves a mention. Whoever he is.

Who is the biggest moaner?
This award has to be shared between me and my old sparring partner Piehead. We can very occasionally let our emotions get the better of us. Very occasionally.

Who is the hardest person?
Jack O or Joe Eley. Tough as they come on the pitch.

Who is the biggest joker?
Jim Bloor is funniest person going around

Who is the most brainy?
Scally. He's a Bede. And a very bright boy.

Who is the best tackler?
Daniel Davis.

Who is the best tourist?
Rob Naughton is the funniest. Joe Powell turning survival Sunday into something quite literal is also right up there.

Who is the best player you have ever played with?
I've been lucky to have played with some exceptional players over the years - Mini Renshaw, Rob Oliver in his pomp, the Bettys and of course Ben Rogerson for his incredible consistency (player of the year for about 10 seasons in a row). However the best for me will always be Steve Bannell. I have no doubt that if he was scaled up in size he would've played to an incredibly high standard. None braver. Hands like feet though. I once very generously passed him the ball for an easy put down under the sticks at Bury many years ago which he dropped. I don't recall ever passing to him in the years since.

Who is the hardest to tackle?
Having played against him as well I'm very qualified to say Vince Betty is tough to get down. Having guys from the pack like Ali, Marcus and Newsome running at me would probably make me very unhappy indeed. Cheese for all his knees hips and elbows is like trying to tackle a set of stairs.

Who is the most committed to the club?
Cookie, Cheese and Hennigan do an incredible shift for Old Bedians.

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Old Bedians RUFC, Millgate Lane, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 5QX
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