Mike
Conroy Q&A, 2000
Mike Conroy, a
striker who scored twenty goals in a season long before it became fashionable, spent the
1999-2000 season plying his trade for Carlton, one of the leading clubs in Australia's
National Soccer League. Chris Beattie of the Carlton website kindly contacted us and asked
us to contribute some questions to a question and answer session with Mike.
Who was most influential in your playing
career, particularly in making you want to become a footballer when you were growing up,
and who were your favourite players as a boy?
Mike: My Dad was without doubt the biggest
influence on my career. He never pushed me into being a pro, that's something I wanted to
be since I can remember. But he was always there when I needed him even with a kick up the
backside when I needed it.
Good habits are taught early and he taught me
good habits. Always give 100%, and I believe by not drinking or smoking has helped me
prolong my career. I'm 34 now and I am contracted until I am nearly 35, so I'm sure his
advice helped me there.
One good thing is that parents never give their
kids bad advice - it always comes from the heart. They always believe they're giving sound
advice.
My favourite player was Kenny Dalglish. I was
brought up a Celtic fan so Kenny could do no wrong in my eyes - until he signed for you
know who as manager.
When did you first hear of Burnley's interest
in you and did it come as a surprise?
Mike: As soon as my contract was up at
Reading, my old manager there who had been sacked, Ian Branfoot, phoned me to let me know
of their interest. Then Jimmy Mullen phoned me at my parents' house in Glasgow before I
met him with my Father to discuss the contract. It came as a pleasant surprise.
What made you decide to come to the club?
Mike: The reason I came to Burnley was
because my Dad told me how big a club it was and how the supporters loved the club. I also
noticed they had just missed promotion, so I felt they would make a big push the following
season. Plus I was signed to play up front, whereas at Reading I was playing all over the
place.
What differences did you notice between
Reading and Burnley when you signed?
Mike: There is a massive difference between
Reading and Burnley. The people in Reading are not football people whereas it seems
everyone in Burnley supports the club and that's the way I like it
You were signed by Frank Casper, but of
course Jimmy Mullen was the manager who took us up. How were the two men different, and
what changed at the club when Mullen took over to turn a team which had been struggling
into the best in the division?
Mike: Frank Casper did sign me on Jimmy's
recommendation as Jimmy remembered me from when I was at Aberdeen. It's difficult to say
how they differed because I didn't get to know Mr Casper too well, as he resigned not long
after the season started.
I believe his family was getting hassle, as
Jimmy's did when he was manager. When I signed Jimmy was coach, so Mr Casper had all the
pressure, but I believe Jimmy sampled the pressure when he became boss. How did they deal
with it? Well everyone has different ways, maybe they handled it the same way, maybe not
the correct way. I have to thank both men for giving me the chance to play for a club of
Burnley's stature.
What would you consider to have been Jimmy
Mullen's main strengths as manager?
Mike: Jimmy kept things simple as manager,
but he was in charge of a decent team, with decent players who were hungry for success.
Which other Burnley players did you most
enjoy playing with, particularly as a partner in attack?
Mike: I enjoyed playing with all the
players. Obviously as a strike partner, I believe Roger Eli and myself complemented each
other the best. I scored 28 goals and he scored 17 - a very good return from both players.
Its different to when I scored 12 and Inchy 23 (I think) - I complemented Inchy more than
he did me. But at the end of the day it's all about the team.
Is there one Burnley goal that sticks in the
mind?
Mike: Every goal I scored is fresh in my
mind as is my home debut against Blackburn. But I suppose my 20th goal against Cardiff was
special as it had been 27 years since a Burnley player had done that.
Which grounds did you particularly enjoying
playing at, and which were your least favourite?
Mike: I always liked playing at Turf Moor as
it always had a good surface and atmosphere - can't say the same about Hartlepool!
Do you have any superstitions associated with
playing, such as a routine you have to follow before the match?
Mike: As for superstitions I always had a
bath on a Friday night, bought some sweets, sat at home and watched TV - nice and relaxed.
I was always told early to bed before a game. More good habits (I think).
Turning to that night at York when we won the
title, was the build up before the match any different to normal? What was the atmosphere
like in the dressing room, particularly when you heard that the kick off had been delayed
because so many Burnley supporters wanted to get in?
Mike: That night at York will stay with me
forever. I don't think the atmosphere was any different in the changing room. I think that
helped. Thinking back, we just thought go out and win the game, it was only after when we
realised what had happened.
What was the half time team talk like, given
that we were losing 1-0? Were there any instructions to play differently in the second
half?
Mike: We just wanted to get on with it. I
think the team talk was more of the same - if we get one we'll win, no matter the score.
What can you remember of the part you played
in setting up John Francis' winning goal?
Mike: John's winning goal began with a long
ball from Joe down the left, I managed to turn the centre-half (who is now playing for
Darlington) and I ran to the bye-line, cut the ball back - the next thing I see is the
ball cross the line and I jumped onto the fence because I knew then we would win. I knew
it was very late in the game.
During the 1991/92 season, there was some
speculation about other clubs being interested in you. Did you ever hear of any offers and
would you have been tempted?
Mike: It would have to have been a bloody
good offer for me to leave the Clarets.
Can you put your finger on what changed the
following season, when you were on the scoresheet less often?
Mike: I'm not one for excuses about why I
didn't score as many the following season. Maybe I didn't get the same amount of chances,
maybe I did and I missed them? It's something you can never pin-point. I do take
satisfaction knowing I partnered Inchy to his 20-odd goals - the first time he had scored
20 goals in his career.
When did you first become aware that Preston
wanted to sign you and what made you decide to move on?
Mike: Gary Peters phoned me when I was out
of contract, although Burnley had made me an offer to stay. I met John Beck at Gretna
Green Services again with my Dad, he made his offer and I compared it with Burnley's - his
won hands down.
Burnley made no effort to even match his so that
was that. I will be honest and say it was so much more than Burnley's that I couldn't
knock it back.
Have you any regrets about your time at
Burnley?
Mike: My only regret was I was only there
two years. I believe every player was meant to play at certain clubs - I should've been at
Burnley for years. I loved the place - the club, the people, everything about the place.
Do you keep in touch with any of the other
players from your time at Burnley? What does the future hold after your playing career?
Have you considered moving into coaching or management?
Mike: Prior to moving to Oz, I saw Andy
Farrell a lot, Ian Measham before he left and I had met up with Steve Davis and Mono since
Stevie returned. Once I finish playing I want to get involved back at Burnley with the
kids, I was involved before I came to Oz - but I think I will return home after my two
years.
How are you enjoying playing out in Australia
now?
Mike: Playing in Australia is different but
enjoyable. The culture is different here and that takes a lot of getting used to. It's
nice still to be playing at 34.
With thanks to Chris
Beattie and Mike Conroy
April 2000
Mike Conroy in 1994
'My Hero' menu
The 1991/1992 season menu
