Player Profile – Mike Reed

NAME: Mike ‘Mustard’ Reed

TEAM: 3s – The Boars

POSITION: Wherever we’re looking a bit light.

BIRTH DATE: 29/10/77

BIRTH PLACE: Penzance, Cornwall (Kernow)

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Porthleven Rangers, Wendron United, Ironside

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Tell us who you are outside of the club. What do you do, how would you describe yourself?

Live in Essex with girlfriend and step-daughter. Work for the National Crime Agency. Volunteer for the Samaritans. As Neil Impiazzi did, back in my first season, I would describe myself as keen as mustard.
How did you end up at Merton FC?

Moved from Cornwall to London in July 2001, within first few days of starting my new job, asked the first bloke in his twenties / thirties that I could find if he knew of any local teams. He gave me Lofty’s number, the rest is history.
What was your best moment in your MFC career till now?

Not necessarily the best but so many memorable moments with MFC:

Ranging from – scoring from a shot within the centre circle, having a free scoring purple patch on and off the pitch on club tour to Portugal and beating promotion rivals Old Parks away whilst having no more than 10 men on the pitch at any time

To – getting sent off after 0 seconds at Southgate Olympic, and getting cleaned out by the opposition keeper, again in Portugal, that led to me having foot surgery and missing approx 2 years of football (and putting on nearly 2 stone!)

The best ‘moment’ though was, the Lofty / Mustard double act of managing / captaining the 2s to promotion to division 1 in 2008/09 (the first Merton team to do so in 25 years) and then after a really hard fought season, retaining our place in the top division the following season.

If you could play for a professional team, which would be it and why?

Manchester United – I have supported them since I was 4 and followed them ever since. Growing up in Cornwall, supporting Man United was clearly a logical choice for me, given that they’re right on the doorstep. Bryan Robson was my favourite player, he played for Manchester United and that’s how it started for me.

Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?

On the morning of every game, I settle down in front of my laptop to see what’s happening on the internet whilst enjoying a wholesome serving of beans on toast.

Lastly, share us your goals/expectations for the season.

Aside of all teams across the club having a good season, my goal is to ensure that the 3s reach a respectable league position, in what is a higher league after getting promoted last year. At least half of our players are new and we’re still in the process of finding our feet – they’re a good bunch of guys with decent ability, so despite a tricky start to the season, there are definitely signs of encouragement.

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RAPID FIRE:

Player of the season (at Merton, or in professional football):

Childhood Team: Manchester United

Favourite team in the UK: Merton Football Club

Favourite team outside the UK: Real Madrid (as former Man Utd greats (Becks, RvN, CR7) joined them and I like to see their success continue)

Childhood Hero: Rocky Balboa

Favourite Food: Cornish Pasty (must be from Horse and Jockey)

Favourite Drink: Bloody Mary

Favourite Band: Massive Attack