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Questions & Answers - Mike Walsh
By Mark Heys & Mike Walsh May 30 2007
Walking Down the Manny Road will be catching up with one or two old faces in the build up to the new season. We start our new feature by speaking to Mike Walsh, a Wanderers stalwart of the 1970's who boasts international honours with the Republic of Ireland to his name.

Mike rose through the youth ranks at Burnden Park alongside names such as Sam Allardyce, Neil Whatmore, Paul Jones and Barry Siddall and he went onto appear in over 200 games for the Whites prior to spells with Everton, Manchester City, Burnley and Blackpool.

After a career in management and coaching with the likes of Bury, Swindon Town and Southport the former defender now runs his own business as a hotelier in Spain.

Many will remember his part in the clubs 1978 Division 2 title success and will also recall he was part of the team which reached the League Cup Semi Finals a year previous.

Recently we caught up with "Walshy" to reminisce about his time in professional football.

What can you remember about your Football League debut?
We played Nottingham Forest in February 1975, I came on for the last 20 minutess and we hung on to win 3-2 with John Byrom getting the winner.  My full debut was at West Bromwich Albion we won 1-0 and Peter Thompson scored, a rare goal for him.
When did you score your first goal?
I did not score many but my most vivid memory is of a 98th min equaliser against Fulham at Burnden Park in the Cup.  They had George Best and Bobby Moore in the team.  We went on to win the replay 2-1 at Birmingham
What where your career highlights/lowlights?
The highlight would be winning promotion at Blackburn and the response from the fans at the Town Hall square for the reception. The low point would be  relegation from the old First Division in 1980.
Who did you room with on away trips when at Bolton?
My room mate was Frank Worthington
What do you think of the current Bolton team and do you get to see them often?
To be where they are is a great credit to everyone connected with the club and Sam Allardyce has to get most credit.  I only get to see the club on telly nowadays as I run a restaurant and hostel in Javea in Spain
Who did you support during your youth and who where your heroes?.
I am afraid I supported Manchester United and loved to watch George Best and Denis Law.
Which person influenced your career the most?
Ian Greaves (the ex-Bolton manager) was the biggest influence on my career as he was with most of our generation players, strong honest and genuine
.
Walking Down The Manny Road would like to thank Mike for conducting this interview and wish him all the very best with his new project in Spain.
Any Wanderers supporters wishing to stay at Mike's resort over in Spain can find details via his official website which is at www.pensionlamarina.com
He and his wife Jacqui welcome many tourists to their complex and business is booming by the day. I would highly recommend you all pay a visit on your travels across Europe.

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