Welcome back to another TTTONLF meets , this time we are sitting down with Corey Currithers a member of the title winning Nuneaton Town team.

Nuneaton Town were formed last year on the back of Nuneaton Borough going out of business, it was an extremely quick turnaround for the club and to think back then when they barely had a badge, let alone a player, to now post-season as champions with a whopping 103 points is an incredible achievement from everyone at the club.

So lets get stuck in and find out from Corey what that was like and what the future holds!

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Q) What is your earliest memory of playing football?

When I was in year six, I didn’t play football for the school team, or any other team and I got asked to fill in for someone at the school tournament because they were injured, which we won, that’s the first time I played a competitive match.

Q) Did you always want to be a midfielder or was that something you realised with time?

I grew up being a striker, then ended up a wing/back, then a winger. I use to be a completely different player to what I am now, becoming a cm, gave me more longevity. The story is pretty funny how I turned into a cm, I was at Highate playing for ash and we had westfields away I was playing LW and had a stinker, got dragged after 50 minutes, we had then again on the Tuesday, I was certain I was going to be on the bench. They played a diamond so we matched them up and I played Cm and had the game of my life and ever since then stayed there.

Q) How big of a factor has football played in your life?

Massive, the bulk of my friends have come from football. Love playing and watching whether it’s live or on the TV professional or non league.

Q) You have been involved in the Non-League scene for a while now, is it something that you really enjoy and where have you enjoyed your time the most to date?

Started playing men’s football at 15 and a half for Burntwood town and have been in it ever since for different teams, at different levels and different positions. I’ve genuinely enjoyed it at the majority of places I’ve played, always played with people I know. I probably couldn’t pick out a single club or time as they’ve all had their pros and cons.

Q) You joined Nuneaton town last year, what made you make that jump into the unknown and was it nerve wracking for yourself?

I knew dodsey and have played for him before, and it was a little up in the air about what I was doing with the Highate manager leaving so he got me at the write time. It wasn’t nerve wracking, just more of a hope it will be good, it can go either way when you bring so many new faces together, but it’s worked out really well so credit the Gaffas and the club.

Q) The squad were pulled together in such a short time, did that help bond you all as you were all in the same boat?

A lot of us knew eachother or there were mutual friends within the team, although it was Mont too and on the pitch and we had some good results through preseason, it was great off the pitch and we got much closer throughout the season as we started to understand eachother, now there probably aren’t many teams closer than what we are.

Q) Now of course, fast forwarding to the end of this season, you have been a big part of that rebirth of Nuneaton Town, recently being crowned champions in the first season as a club – how does that feel?

It feels wicked- only my 3rd league title and I’ve been playing for 18 years and not getting any younger so this year felt good, especially because it was pretty close aswel, we were confident from the get go, and knew for a large part of the season it was in our hands so it’s nice when you finally get over the line.

Q) Was it always the aim/goal from the start and were there any moments that you felt it might not happen?

It was the players and managers goal for sure, the club was more relaxed and just happy to have a team back together with a good bunch of lads. There were points throughout the season where it was close and you check the results after the game and no one seems to be dropping points but once we hit November time (I think) we had a couple of tough games away and we came through them with full points, from then on I knew we’d take some stopping.

Q) How would you rate your own performances this season and what was in your opinion your standout game/moment?

I’m pretty much the same most seasons, just do my job, do the dirty side of the game, nothing fancy 7/8 out of ten most games. Standout game for me was probably bridge north away, was a proper battle of a game and every second ball just seem to land at my feet or on my head.

Q) Are you and the team excited and looking forward to next season and the test it will bring?

It depends how many of us the gaffa wants to keep as he mentioned he was getting a whole new team in when we were 2-0 down against smethick (haha). Next season will be a good test, a lot of us have played that level and higher so it will be interesting as to how we adapt and fair in that league as it will be a lot more competitive than this year but can’t wait.

Q) Do you feel you all have a target on your back and that teams are really looking extra hard to beat you because of the history the Nuneaton name holds in non-league football?

I think this year it was double bubble, we were top for a lot of the season so everyone wants to beat us and then the whole wanting to take a scalp for sure. We don’t lose many, drew a few and everytime we didn’t win teams would sing and celebrate like the won the league. Heather actually were one of the worst, celebrated at our place like they won the league.

Q) What are you personal goals for the next few years?

To retire… na my body hurts, Astro is killing my knees can’t walk after games so I just want to win as many games, cups and leagues as possible while I still can but don’t want people saying he shouldn’t be playing anymore.

Q) How important have the fans been this season and also how much will you need them next season?

Fans are massive, it’s crazy I’ve played in front of a good crowd from time to time in big games, but to have 500+ all year for home games and about 200 travelling fans for our level of phenomenal. They’ve supported through thick and thin rain, hail and sun so fair pay.

Q) If you could sign one player you have played with in the past to be part of Nuneaton next season, who would you choose and why?

In all honesty, I’ve played with some good players over the years and of course it would be great to have some additions going into next year to strengthen the squad. A standout player for me is Jai Vermer he practically single hand-idly won us the league at walsall wood, always created a little bit of magic when we most needed it.

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Huge congratulations to Corey for the success he has been a part of this season and also a massive thank you for giving up his time to let us peek behind the curtain of what it is like to be a Non-League footballer and also a winner.

I will of course be keeping an eye on Nuneaton Town next season (as I edit their matchday highlights for them) but that aside I will be really keen to see how the team and club as a whole tackles the step up in league and once again deals with the target in which they find place upon their backs.

Until next time!

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