Interview With... Howard Hall

A good full back has become the cornerstone of great teams in modern football, regardless of level. The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lucas Digne and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have become hugely important for their teams. In the case of Howard Hall, who won the Southern Premier Play Offs, played Mansfield in the FA Cup 1st round proper and Cambridge United in the FA Trophy 2nd round proper whilst at St. Albans City, this is no different. We talked to Howard about the impact of that success at St. Albans, the dynamic of dual-managerships and what his hopes are for the future with his new club, Hanwell Town.

BACKGROUND

31-year-old Howard Hall is a fairly new acquisition for Hanwell Town, and the full back, who can also play across the back four and in central midfield, has racked up experience at a multitude of clubs, such as Bishops Stortford, St. Albans and Potters Bar Town amongst others.

Jacob Welch, JW: You have played for a number of cubs, some at a very high level of non-league football, such as Bishops Stortford, St. Albans City and Potters Bar Town. Which of the clubs you played for do you think had the biggest impact on your footballing career?

Howard Hall, HH: I would say St. Albans City. It’s a club I keep close to my heart as it was a really happy place for me and felt like home. The fans and everyone associated with the club were incredible and achieved so much. We won the Southern Premier Play Offs and were promoted to the national league south where they are today, got to the FA Cup 1st round proper against Mansfield and got to the FA Trophy 2nd round proper against Cambridge United all in the same season.

DYNAMICS OF DUAL MANAGERSHIP

JW: That seems like some great achievements, was that season when Graham Golds and James Gray were managers?

HH: Yeah, they were joint managers at the time I was there.

JW: Dual Managership is still rare today, how different (at all) is it to have that dynamic within a team, like at your time at St. Albans and now at Hanwell?

HH: I’m a firm believer in it as all players are different and have different learning styles. The same as managers, they have different styles to delivering coaching and as a player sometimes you may not always understand the instructions being asked of you. By having two managers with the same ethos but different delivery styles it’s key especially for the younger players. Some players respond better to having an arm around them and instructions being broken down so it’s clear, in comparison to the cultural cliché of stern hairdryer treatment in football.

IMPACT OF MEN’S FOOTBALL ON YOUNG PLAYERS

JW: You touched on younger players there, with you having some great experience within the footballing world, would you say to youngsters that may be in academies or youth set ups to try and gain some experience in non-league? Even if it is to try and gain some physical traits that they may not be able to develop in an academy environment.

HH: Yes, I agree. I believe young players should definitely try to gain non-league experience as it puts them in good stead for adult football. Sometimes the academy style of play is an unrealistic environment and where it’s very technical with a lot of time on the ball, however in non-league there is always pressure on you when you are in possession which will help you improve on your composure, sharpness and awareness to play in tight situations.

JW: Have you yourself ever played academy football?

HH: Yes, I played for Queens School Academy in Watford managed by Jimmy Gilligan at the time but not for a professional club academy.

IN THE PRESENT WITH HANWELL TOWN

JW: Moving onto now, how’s your season gone with Hanwell Town?

HH: Umm it’s been a bit of a stop start for me as I’m one of the more recent signings last month but due to weather conditions and now the coronavirus, I’ve not managed to make my debut yet.

JW: Sorry to hear that, how has it been settling in to a new club, even with the career you’ve had do you still get nerves when you enter a new dressing room?

HH: It’s been great, been training with the boys over a month now and they’ve made me feel welcome. I know a lot of the boys in the squad as they have been ex-team mates or ex opponents in the past. Plus, I know the managers really well as they were ex-team mates with me at Uxbridge for 2 years where I won managers player of the season and we got to the playoff semi-finals of this league

JW: Wow, what a squad for you to come into then in that regard!

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

HH: I would love to come in and help the boys win promotion this season. It’s nothing short of what they deserve as they’ve had a blinding season so far.

JW: Promotion seems a very good ending to a great season.

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?

HH: That’s a hard one as I’ve come across so many people in my career. James Gray/Mark Boyce as I’ve played the majority of my career under their great management, Adam Pepera/ Craige Tomkins as they are my best mates and we’ve played together in a number of teams. As for physios Sam Backhouse/Jon Pilkington as they’ve played a key part of keeping me fit and l has always checked in with me to see how I’m doing no matter where I am.

JW: Some good selections in there, thank you for your time Howard.