Westminster Casuals F.C.

Number of Bridgend Tours: 1: 2001

Honours: None

Nickname: Al / Big Al

Birthplace/Date of Birth: Marylebone, 22 September 1966

Resides: Pimlico, London

Family: One Beast, One Wife

Occupation: Press Officer

Preferred Position: Left wing back

How did you and Phil meet: When he was a right wing Tory at Bristol University. Heard him speak in a debate - he loved the sound of his own voice being Welsh and ginger.

How did you and Phil come to form the Westminster Casuals: We were bored, unemployed, without girlfriends and sick of politics. We had nothing else to do and desperately needed some friends. Luckily, as the success of the Casuals to date proves, there are many people like us.

When and where was the club formed: In a pub called The Cardinal in Francis Street in the summer of 1991.

Who came up with the name and how did it come about: I did. I insisted it had to be 'Westminster' because of our links with politics. We considered calling ourselves Rovers, City, Wanderers etc, but Casuals seemed to sum-up our slightly chaotic approach.

How did you go about recruiting players: First through the Tory Party, then our friends (I got more than Phil did through this route), then the mates of those we'd recruited. About eight of the original side were Conservatives.

Talk us through the clubs first ever competitive match: It was in a park in West London. We arrived late, just had 11 players and at least two of those were hopeless. We got smashed 8-1. We learnt that there is a big gap between a 'kickabout' side and playing in a competitive league, even the West End Sunday League. The first ever Casuals friendly was when we lost 13-1 to a Post Office side in the summer of 1991 at Battersea Rec.

Alex (in green) in the Casuals first season

You were the first ever editor of the Casual newsletter. Have you still got any of the first few editions: Interesting point, it was a quality read in those days, done on a Mac. I'll have a look.

Why did you leave: First time round I got thrown out of the club by Phil for fighting on the pitch with Tony Smith, Second time round, just age and lack of skill. However, you never really leave the Club, just become a permanent sub.

Highlight of Casuals Career: The volleyed goal in the cup in 96.

Lowlight of Casuals career: Any match we lost.

Most Embarrassing Moment: Too many to mention.

What about your fight with the Daily Mirror chicken who was trying to bait your boss John Major: The Chicken was a triumph, front page of five national newspapers in one day!

Best Casuals player in the clubs first season: Probably Phil Malcolm. Scrub that, Huw Thomas was and probably still is a much better player.

And the Worst: Chris Pincher, now an aspiring Tory MP

How would you describe Phil's playing style: Frantic. Chicken, headless.

Funniest player: Ferris. Brilliant and barmy!

Favourite match: The Past vs Present Casuals in 2001 when I played for the ex-players and we beat the current lot!

Worst match: Any match playing the aggressive White trash we came up against in the West End League

You scored your one and only Casuals goal (a goal of the season contender no less) in a 5-0 win over Maccabi Association in November 1996. What can you remember about it: Screaming for Michael Rootes to give me the ball, being surprised at connecting with it and seeing it fly into the top right hand corner.

Funniest thing you have seen during a game: A Rottweiler invading the pitch in Regent's Park in the early days to attack our players.

Funniest thing you have seen on a Casuals night out: Phil in brown trousers and a brown shirt. Followed by Tony Smith thinking he is sexy and Dave Houlker believing that he was interesting.

Are you still playing: Yes, for Westminster Wanderers 2^nd team in the Southern Sunday League. The Wanderers (http://westminsterwanderers.com/index.asp) were formed in the summer of 1999 as the Casuals had got too good for all the old political hacks. The Wanderers are about to start their fifth season in the Southern Sunday League where they field two sides. They try to stay true to early Casuals traditions - the annual tour, a mad manager, Sunday football and ageing players. Our oldest player was born in the 1950's. The only players who have played for both sides are, I think, Phil, Alex, Ferris, Martin Rootes, Griff, Dave Barnard, Danny Grimes, Richard Mann and the bloke who looks like Red Rum.

How would you like to be remembered: For having started a Club that ends up in the Premiership.

Best thing about being a Casual: The passion for the team, the game and your mates.

Message to the current team: Win, everything.