Interviews - Noel Corbett
Thurs 14 June 2007
Palmerstown Rangers F.C. Defender - Noel Corbett
Palmerstown Rangers have just won the league. How does it feel?
It’s just a great feeling of satisfaction. A lot of us have been working towards this for a long time. Anyone who has been around this thing as long as me will understand.
What do you think was the key to winning the league this year?
Beating most of the other teams.
How would you describe the 2006/07 season overall?
It was a number of football matches played on a mostly weekly basis from September to May.
When did you think that rangers could win the league?
I knew we could win it from a couple of months in. We had a bigger and stronger squad than the previous few seasons and were doing a lot of work in training. We were also managing to get the last goal, where before it was us who got hit at the end.
What match this season, has been a personal favourite?
Beating Castlerock away was a great feeling. It was the night I knew we were going to do it. We played like champions by coming out in the second half and putting them away. Ave it.
You played 25 times for Rangers this season. You must be happy?
I never take getting in the team for granted. I want to play every match but as soon as you start coasting you should be in trouble. There are always people on the bench that can come in and do a job in any position. I was happy with my consistency in most games but there is still room for improvement.
What about that goal against Aylesbury in the cup? Very few players
could have scored a goal like that. How do you feel about that goal nine
months on?
I have to say I smile when I think about that goal. You don’t get many of those in your career. 30 yards, BOOM! Cheers.
Both your goals this season came from your so-called weaker right
foot, is this something you are working on in training?
I try to work on everything in training. I get a lot of stick from Danny saying “that’s your standing foot Corbett!” but I can use it when I need to.
Have you set yourself a goals target next season?
I will talk to Danny about that.
Has this been your most enjoyable season as a footballer?
Ive had some great times with different people along the way to this point, I just enjoy playing football. More so when we win, so yes.
Were you disappointed to miss the crucial home game against castlerock?
Not really, I knew we had won the league as I said, and I had made a good contribution to that.
How do you think this season has gone for you personally?
I played in all but 1 game, scored 2 goals (my highest total for a few seasons) got a winners medal, and was in the same room as Ronnie Whelan. It doesn’t get much better.
Do you enjoy being at a club where there are so many young players?
Whats that supposed to mean?
What was your defining memory of this season?
I was so stoned most of the time its all a bit hazy.
If you had to pick one highlight of your career, what would it
be?
Winning the league, no contest.
What skill would you like to borrow from another player?
Cross like Beckham around 99, pace of Owen in his prime and ability of Keane at everything. Not much!
What's the best goal celebration you've seen this season?
Most of our celebrations have been fairly low key aren’t they? I can’t remember any really as long as we got the points.
What's the hardest & best thing about being a defender?
The best thing is you get to kick people more than you get kicked. The hardest thing is Don in your ear all the time. He’s a tough taskmaster.
Can rangers survive and thrive in division 2?
I think we can. Personally I will be fitter than any other time in my career, so as long as everyone wants to do well we can.
What are your ambitions for next season, personally and for the
club?
I would love to see us challenging again next season. There’s not much point doing it if were not going try to be up there again.
Can you see yourself staying at Rangers for a long time?
I’m not going to play for anyone else now. I will stay with PRFC till the end of my career however long that may be.
Have the team’s tactics changed since Steven Fullam and
Patrick Hartnett joined the coaching staff?
Who?
Football is the cause of many a fall out. Have you ever come to
blows with a teammate during a game?
Come very close a couple of times. The only person in the current squad likely to get a dig now is Dave, but I think im down the Q!
What are the areas in which the team need to improve?
We can improve everything, and hopefully with some new signings and good training we will.
Do you have any footballing idols?
Ruud Gullit was a big hero of mine. Legend on the pitch, legend with the birds. A real role model.
If you can play on any team, in any game, in any stadium in the
world—which one would it be?
Second Sunday in September, the Dubs in Croke Park. No contest. It’s bigger than the World Cup and the Olympic games combined.
What can you remember about your debut for rangers?
Everything. It was my fist ever proper 11 a side game in 1998. I scored with a free kick and we came away 1-1, our first ever league game. You don’t forget that!
What has been your greatest disappointment in football?
Not winning with Rangers till now!!
Who has been the biggest influence in your career to date?
My mother never liked us sitting around watching TV and would kick me out of the gaff every day. I had nothing else to do apart from kick a ball, so I would have to say it was Cora who got me going.
It was rumoured that you would retire, if rangers won the league
this season. Is this true?
I did consider it, but im not going to B&Q every Saturday for the rest of my life.
How many more seasons do you think you have left as a player?
I just take 1 game at a time. It can all end very quickly as I have nearly found out a couple of times.
Are you concerned with being a good role model to the younger
generations?
All I can do is show them the benefits of taking care of yourself and
training properly. They can see that for themselves when they look at
me.