Exclusive Interview with former City Striker Adie Mike

Firstly I'd like to thank you for taking the time to conduct an interview with me, it means a lot for me and the readers of Eye Of The Kippax to find out what a once product of the City academy is doing now with his career and how he looks upon his time with the Maine Road faithful.

Adie lining out at Maine Road

Tell me what it was like the moment you received the call asking you to join the academy at Platt Lane?
 It was a great feeling being asked to do YTS/Apprentice for the club I supported.

How many of those academy players did you create a strong friendship with? Did many make it in the professional game?
We had a good group and many of us are still in touch after all these years. Steve Lomas, Richard Edghill, John Foster and Jim Whitely were all in the youth team.

For many of us blues we could only dream of what it would have been like to play for your boyhood club, tell me how it felt making your debut against Notts County in 1992, not much older than myself?
It was a proud moment for myself and family who came to watch me make debut. It was something I had always dreamed of since I was at schoolboy.

Shortly afterwards you scored your first goal against Oldham, describe that moment to me and what it meant to you personally?
To score was amazing feeling although it didn't sink in until later, hearing all the fans cheering after I score was great. It was something that I had worked hard for and for it to pay off by scoring a goal meant the world.

Did you ever experience being a part of a Manchester Derby? If not, do you wish you would have?
I never played in a Derby match which I think is the thing that I regret the most. I was on the bench but unused in the 5-0 drubbing at Old Trafford! Not good when all my mates were reds as well. 

Maine Road was well known for being loud and hostile, did you thrive on that or feel it only added to the pressure?
Loved playing at Maine Road and when the Kippax was full there was nothing like it, especially when we scored. At the time of the Peter Swales/ Francis Lee take over there was more pressure on the players but that was more to do with off the field politics.

During your time at City, you played under Peter Reid and Brian Horton, do you feel they were a help or hinderance to your City career, or career in general?
Think it would be fair to say that although I made my debut under Reid I was not his type of player and didn’t suit the way we played. Horton believed in me more and felt more comfortable working with him. He was very approachable and played attacking football. I learned a lot from both.

You only managed sixteen games for City in three years, why do you think that was?
I was unlucky with injuries as had the chance to have a good run when Quinn and White were injured then I did my medial ligaments so out for 3 months. They bought good strikers in Walsh and Rosler so it was difficult for me to make that breakthrough.

What is your most memorable moment at City, and do you have any regrets?
Scoring at Oldham most memorable moment no real regrets as that's how football and life is so I am happy that I achieved my dreams in playing for and scoring for Man City.
Thought I could play a few more games rather than sit on the bench or play in the reserves, seemed like a good set up at the time, local and the manager wanted me. Everyone was supportive but it didn't work out for me and it was a nightmare two years.

You left City to join rivals Stockport County? Why did you think Stockport was right for you at this time and did you receive much stick from fans, friends or family for making such a move?

Adie playing for Lincoln in 2002

I felt fit and enjoyed playing football under managers (Kerry Dixon and Keith Alexander) who believed in my ability which brought out the best in me. Good team spirit and I got on with all the players. 

The best time in your career for playing games was between 1997 after your move to Doncaster and 2002 until you left Northwich Victoria, take me through that time in your career?
After leaving Vics played but it became more of a job not football which I enjoyed. Was injured a lot which didn't help and I fell out of love with playing football which was a shame as it was all I ever wanted to do, but there is the other side to football not just glitz and glamour.

You retired from Football in 2004, and are currently undertaking in a Law Degree at University, tell me what you have also been up to since leaving Football?
After I finished playing worked as a Personal Trainer for 10 years in Wilmslow until I had to stop after having my hip replaced at the age of 39. I started Law Degree in 2010 at BPP Law School in Manchester in the hope of becoming a Sports Lawyer.

What does the future hold in store for Adie Mike?
Well set up my own private jet company which is going well, so hopefully I can grow the company and be successful in whatever I choose to do and give it 100%. Be happy with the family and healthy.

Being an ex- City player, do you often get down to the games in recent times?
I have been to a few home games in the last couple of seasons to cheer the lads on, but it's a totally different atmosphere to Maine Road. Would be great to play at the Etihad though!

Finally, I would like to thank you for taking the time out for partaking in this interview, please tell Eye Of The Kippax and it's readers, both your best and worst moments in your career, and if you could change one thing? What would it have been?
Best moment has to be scoring for City and the worst being told that I had to retire because of oseoarthritis at a young age and playing at Carlise on a cold wet windy Tuesday night)!
Wouldn't change a thing!

Thank you very much Mr. Mike for your time, on behalf of the readers of Eye Of The Kippax, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you the very best in your future career whatever you choose to partake in.

Adie more recently since he qualified as a Sports Lawyer