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Non-league interview: Gary Hackett

I spoke to the man between Seve Ballesteros and John McEnroe on the intro to Grandstand – Stourbridge manager Gary Hackett.

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Gary Hackett was watching the video of his side's two nil defeat to AFC Shildon in the FA cup, when I came to interview him. Sat in the manager's office, he admitted that the goals his side conceded were very sloppy. The FA cup is a special competition to the Stourbridge manager – but he is accustomed to much happier viewing.

In January 1984, Hackett scored the first goal as Shrewsbury Town slaying then big boys Ipswich Town 2-0 in the cup. The goal soon became a regular piece of the intro to Sunday Grandstand.

Hackett explained his moment of fame: "People have often said that I get lucky at times. It just so happened the Match of the Day cameras were there and they were behind the goal. It was featured on Grandstand for a good many months. I was actually sandwiched between Ballesteros and John McEnroe, but nobody would ever guess the guy in between."

And Hackett still remembers the goal fondly, he added: "I don't watch it too many times now but I can still remember it. Those kind of things stick in your memory forever. Nobody can ever take that away from you."

Whilst most people might not recognize 'the guy in between', Hackett had a long and established career in the professional game, making 150 appearances for Shrewsbury and over 70 for Stoke City. He also played in the 1987-88 Aberdeen side with a host of internationals.

Hackett described his time in Scotland: "It was an amazing experience. I mean even just walking into the Aberdeen dressing room, there were probably 15 internationals. The likes of Willie Miller, Charlie Nicholas, Jim Leighton, Alex McLeish, you're talking some real stars there. To play at Celtic Park and Ibrox too, it was very special."

Now in his twelfth season as manager of the Glassboys, Hackett is enjoying his time in the non-league as much as his playing days. He said: "I've always loved non-league. It's a special place. You get a right proper camaraderie. I love the rapport you get with the fans and the players."

As manager of Stourbridge, Hackett has overseen a big turnaround in the club's fortunes, including two promotions, ground re-development, and unprecedented success in the FA cup.

Hackett reflected on his time with the Glassboys: "We've had some great highlights and I've been very fortunate to be involved with this wonderful club. The big ones that spring to mind are beating Leamington in the play-off finals and the Plymouth nights (in the FA cup). Absolutely amazing, you can't buy moments like that."

He added: "It's been an amazing transformation. When we arrived the club was on its knees: struggling, no money, the ground was a shambles. It's taken a lot of hard work to get to where we are today. I don't think sometimes people appreciate, especially new fans who can be a little bit judgemental, where this club was 10 or 11 years ago. The new people involved - the chairman and the fellow directors - have worked amazingly hard to get this club to where it is and we're still looking to improve, but it costs money."

People might say he gets lucky at times, but it's easy to see where the real source of Hackett's good fortune lies. As well as being an incredibly nice chap, Hackett demands success of himself and his players.

He added: "If this season were a school report, so far it would say ' doing okay but could improve'. I am expecting big things but we've only played 11 league games and there's a long, long way to go. We've always proved that we come on strong and I've got no doubt we'll do it again."

I left Hackett to watch the video of his side's defeat to Shildon, as he examined where they can improve.

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