Interview With... Gareth Chendlik

In the first of a series of interviews, we talk to Gareth Chendlik, Hanwell Town’s leading talisman so far this campaign, about his career so far, non-league football and the struggles of balancing a job and the love of the game.

BACKGROUND

Gareth Chendlik is a 26-year-old centre forward, and has played for a plethora of illustrious non-league clubs. This includes Hemel Hempstead, Hampton & Richmond, Tooting and Mitcham, Dorking Wanderers and now plies his trade for Hanwell Town.

Jacob Welch, JW: You have played for some great non-league clubs all at different levels, starting with Hemel Hempstead, how was your time at the club?

Gareth Chendlik, GC: I was just a youngster and was learning my trade. We won the Southern Premier League that season so it was a great experience for me.

JW: Like you say, that would be a great experience for anyone, and speaking of experiences, was playing for Hemel your first experience of non-league football?

GC: Yeah, I played for the Hemel 18s and Reserves before breaking into the first team.

THE NON-LEAGUE GAME

JW: Non-league can get the stereotype of being not as competitive or as 'good' league football, just how difficult is the non-league game? Whether it is the massive physical element or the intensity of the game.

GC: You’re playing against players of similar ability so it’s definitely competitive. Managers get sacked when performance doesn’t live up to expectation, so there is a lot of pressure, like you’d get in the professional game.

JW: With players lower down the pyramid juggling football and a job, would you say that the mental and psychological side of the game is just as important as the physical? For instance, focusing on mental wellbeing and player welfare as well as physical injuries and strain?

GC: Yeah definitely, Tuesday night matches are especially difficult after a full day of work! Saturdays are a release from the stresses of work in the week though, although only when you win - I’ve often taken my bad mood from a Saturday loss into work on a Monday morning...

NOW AT HANWELL

JW: Moving on to speak about your current team, Hanwell Town, you are current top scorer for this campaign, how has it been playing football this season?

GC: I’ve absolutely loved this season so far. The group of players we’ve got is fantastic and it’s no surprise that we’re doing as well as we are! On a personal level I’m happy my goals have helped fire us to the upper echelons of the league table!

JW: Obviously your side is doing really well this season, and if not for the current climate, you were on great form to have a real shot at promotion, compared to other seasons has there been anything different about your personal preparation and performances or the dressing room in general? Or is this just the culmination of a lot of hard work and talent that is being displayed by the squad?

GC: Yeah, I don’t think we’re doing anything different to last season, we made a few good signings in the summer and have kept a fairly consistent team throughout the season. Everyone’s working hard and on the same page trying to achieve the same goal!

JW: Nearly finished, for you personally what do you hope to achieve in the near future?

GC: I’d like to get promoted with Hanwell and test myself again at a higher level.

JW: Brilliant, well I hope that you can ascertain those goals as soon as possible.

THE BIG QUESTION

JW: Final question, if you could have dinner with 3 footballing people, whether it be players, coaches, physios etc, who would they be and why?

GC: Gareth Bale, Chris Coleman and Danny Cowley. Coleman just to reminisce about the Euros, Gareth Bale is my favourite player and Danny Cowley started managing in the Essex Senior League with Concord And is now managing in the championship with Huddersfield - I’d love to pick his brain as I am keen to go into management when I retire.

JW: Some great selections, thank you for your time Gareth.