Havant back to work and dreaming of Anfield

[Stevie H]

good this.

 

Havant back to work and dreaming of Anfield

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...8/sfnhav118.xml

By Alex Crook

Last Updated: 1:52am GMT 18/01/2008

 

Havant and Waterlooville goalkeeper Kevin Scriven cut a solitary figure as he returned to work on his father's building site yesterday. In eight days' time he will be joined by an audience of 40,000 when the Hampshire part-timers continue their astonishing FA Cup adventure at Anfield.

 

Scriven saved a penalty in Havant's 4-2 third round replay win over Swansea on Wednesday night but was still forced to report for duty at dad Barry's bungalow conversion, even though the rest of his staff had been given the day off because of bad weather.

 

While Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will conduct their preparations for next Saturday's fourth round meeting in between relaxing at their multi-million pound Cheshire mansions, flanked by an army of top of the range cars, Scriven will spend the days leading up to the biggest match of his career mixing cement and fetching and carrying breeze blocks.

 

"You could not get a bigger contrast in lifestyles," admits Scriven, 24, who is stashing away as much as he can from his £350 pounds-a-week wage from the Winchester-based BJS Consolation company to finance his impending wedding to Michelle.

 

"Gerrard earns at least £50,000 a week, where as we are all back to work the morning after the biggest win in Havant's history. We do not live the luxury lifestyle of Premier League players and have to get by on what we earn from our full-time jobs. I always dread the bills coming in at the end of each month and have a mortgage and a wedding to pay for.

 

"Liverpool players have the luxury of getting magazines to pay to have their wedding photos but we have had to ring around photographers looking for the best price to have ours taken.

 

"Dad warned me before the game I would be expected to turn up for work whatever the result so while the other lads were drinking the bar dry after the game I had to make do with one beer because I knew I had to be up at 7am.

 

"The brickies had the day off because it was too wet to work so I was there on my own just doing a little bit of tidying up."

 

Scriven joined the family firm after being told he was not good enough to make it as a professional by Bournemouth two years ago. Havant's trip to the 18-time league champions and five times European Cup winners is likely to be the nearest he will come to experiencing the life of luxury enjoyed by today's elite.

 

If Liverpool have serious hopes of adding another FA Cup to their extensive collection of silverware, Havant are realistic in their aspirations. A glance at the trophy cabinet at their West Leigh Park ground, scene of Wednesday's victory, shows the less glamorous Southern Counties Floodlit Cup as the club's only claim to fame.

 

Scriven said: "Nobody expected us to beat Swansea or Notts County in the previous round but if we got anything from Anfield it would probably be one of the biggest upsets in the history of the FA Cup. We know we will do well if we keep Liverpool down to single figures but as a goalkeeper I do not want to go there and get hammered. My debut at Farnborough was a 6-2 defeat to Lewes and I would rather not lose by that kind of score again.

 

 

"We do not know what sort of team Liverpool will put out but it will be amazing just to be on the same pitch as Gerrard and Torres."

 

Scriven's Cup exploits have not gone unnoticed among friends and workmates. The down to earth hero complained this week he was getting too much attention.

 

If he can mastermind the biggest upset since Ronnie Radford's right boot wrote Hereford's name in Cup folklore, he may have to get used to it.

 

Havant's heroes

 

Kevin Scriven (Goalkeeper)

Labourer

 

Justin Gregory (Right back)

Sports therapist

 

Phil Warner (Centre back)

Courier

 

Jay Smith (Centre back)

Surveyor

 

Brett Poate (Left back)

Plasterer

 

Mo Harkin (Right wing)

Gas engineer

 

Jamie Collins (Centre midfield and captain)

Football coach

 

Charlie Oatway (Centre midfield and assistant manager)

Football community officer (Brighton FC)

 

Richard Pacquette (Striker)

Teaching assistant

 

Rocky Baptiste (Striker)

Taxi driver

 

Shaun Wilkinson (Midfielder)

Insulation

 

Tom Taylor (Reserve goalkeeper)

Plumber

 

Tony Taggart (Midfielder)

Binman

[Guest Prongsy]

Aww sweet.

 

 

 

15-0

[Guest ziggystardust]

i hope we stuff the cvnts b0llocks to this fa cup magic and romance

[honourablegeorge]

Always a nice story, these small teams doing well.

 

Obviously, i want us to t*** them into pieces and send them home crying, but it's a nice story, and good luck to them.

[Gomez]

Shaun Wilkinson (Midfielder)

Insulation

 

That is a sh*t job to be fair. I'd guess the working conditions are a bit cramped too.

[Bologna]

I don't know about Torres but Stevie doesn't live in Cheshire. Effin journos.

[The_Adder]

Tony Taggart (Midfielder)

Binman

 

Theres always one.

[Guest Prongsy]

Anyone know the record score for an FA Cup game?

 

Our biggest ever victory was 11–0 against Strømsgodset I.F. - I fancy us to beat that.

Edited January 18, 2008 by Prongsy

[Stevie H]

Theres always one.

there has to be a binman and a taxi driver.

[Gomez]

What are the chances of any of the big names playing in this.

 

It will be the usual 2nd team with Hobbs, Lucas, Crouch and we will huff and puff for 50 mins before winning 3-0.

 

Would love to see the full first team out though and go for a record score.

[AE]

Anyone know the record score for an FA Cup game?

 

Our biggest ever victory was 11–0 against Strømsgodset I.F. - I fancy us to beat that.

 

I think some people may be getting carried away

[AE]

What are the chances of any of the big names playing in this.

 

It will be the usual 2nd team with Hobbs, Lucas, Crouch and we will huff and puff for 50 mins before winning 3-0.

 

Would love to see the full first team out though and go for a record score.

 

I can't see Rafa risking Gerrard and Torres etc.

I think he will do with a mix of the "first / second team" and a couple of youngsters with players like Babel etc on the bench just in case.

[Stevie H]

rafa should give himself a run-out. we'd still win.

[Leo No.8]

I hope Torres plays - could help him be top scorer overall this season.

 

Of course we need to stuff them, but I hope The Kop gives Havant a cracking reception at the end whatever.

 

Particularly for all of us who have played amateur or non-league footy, it is heart warming to see these lads get to play in front of The Kop in a competitive game and it'll be an experience they'll never forget.

Edited January 18, 2008 by Leo No.8

[ManxRed]

I hope Torres plays, it might him catch up on the goalscoring front with Yakubu/Johnson who are running away with efcrmagic's bet at the beginning of the season.

 

No, hang on...

[Stevie H]

t-minus three days until some journo makes a crack about the havant 'keeper needing his dad to build a brick wall across his goal to keep liverpool out etc. clumsily forgetting that the teams change ends at half-time and his son would benefit from the brick barrier for forty-five minutes only.

[sutty]

t-minus three days until some journo makes a crack about the havant 'keeper needing his dad to build a brick wall across his goal to keep liverpool out etc. clumsily forgetting that the teams change ends at half-time and his son would benefit from the brick barrier for forty-five minutes only.

 

 

MOTSON!! You haven't thought this thrrouuuggh

[Bigal]

MOTSON!! You haven't thought this thrrouuuggh

 

well, it could be worse, lawro and his comedic delivery

[Kahnee]

I'm going to miss this - damn you Luton

Edited January 18, 2008 by Kahnee

[Will]

t-minus three days until some journo makes a crack about the havant 'keeper needing his dad to build a brick wall across his goal to keep liverpool out etc. clumsily forgetting that the teams change ends at half-time and his son would benefit from the brick barrier for forty-five minutes only.

Just build it at half time. Sorted.

[Will]

Anyone know the record score for an FA Cup game?

 

Our biggest ever victory was 11–0 against Strømsgodset I.F. - I fancy us to beat that.

Our record FA Cup win is 9-0

[Stevie H]

Just build it at half time. Sorted.

it'd be a cracking advert for his dad's firm if he could build a 24ft x 8ft brick wall in 15 minutes.

[Duncan Disorderly]

it'd be a cracking advert for his dad's firm if he could build a 24ft x 8ft brick wall in 15 minutes.

There'll be plenty of bricks cos he'll be s***tting them!

[Jimi Rojo]

i used to live and work in Waterlooville. Funny little place, just far enough away from Portsmouth.

Edited January 18, 2008 by Jimi Rojo

[RP]

Particularly for all of us who have played amateur or non-league footy

 

 

Did you used to play? You've never mentioned it.