AN INTERVIEW WITH LEVI LANDRICOMBE OF PLYMOUTH PARKWAY (EX-TIVERTON TOWN...)

LEVI LANDRICOMBE WRITES: 

"My dad was my biggest influence in football, growing up. He was my Manager from U8 right through to U18 and a year in adult football too, so he was always there for me. Now he’s happy to just come along and watch us play, wherever that is. 

ANOTHER GOAL, LOVELY WEATHER & NO MASKS...

If I’m honest, although as a kid I was Plymouth born and bred, I looked into the Premier League and began to support Manchester United, but as I’ve got older I have followed Argyle a lot more. 

Growing up through the age groups, I played for a team called  Woodford Colts right up until the age of 18, then had two seasons with Plymstock United. 

EITHER LEVI HAS JUST RELEASED A DOVE, OR HE'S APPLAUDING THE FANS...

I played for Plymouth Argyle in my younger days too but when the decision arrived whether to play for my club or Argyle, the choice was easy for me make and to stay playing for my dad's team with all my mates. Going into adult football, I played for a local team for a while and that’s when I started off with Ivybridge Town in the South West Peninsula League. 

JOY FOR ALL PLAYERS, AT EVERY LEVEL...

The teams I’ve played for have been Ivybridge, Tavistock, Holsworthy, Saltash, Elburton,

Plymouth Parkway and Tiverton Town, leaving me with some very good memories. 

My time at Tiverton was probably the best period so far in my career. I loved the club, the Management and the quality fans were always brilliant to me. Also it helped  that I was doing well, scoring goals and winning a few trophies. 

"NO, I MEAN IT, I'M SURE IT SHOULD BE 9, 10, 11..."

Plymouth Parkway have got great ambitions to go up through the leagues. With the new grandstand and other facilities going in this summer, the club's going to be in a great place moving forward.

TWO PILES OF FOX DROPPINGS HAVE BEEN SPOTTED...

My best moments? Well, one was the treble season with Parkway. We played the last game of the season on a Friday and needed to win that to win the league but we also won the Sunday Cup Final and the Devon Bowl Final against Tiverton. I scored in all three games. 

THE LEFT FOOT WINDS UP...

Another great memory was the Tiverton Play-off Final win and the next day we had the Devon Bowl Final, which we won also! In the Play-off Semi Final we had played rivals Taunton and it was 0-0 at half-time. I had torn my meniscus a few games before and during the opening period it kept locking. I was going to come off but carried on and scored twice to help us get to the final!

LEVI LIKES A BIT OF FUSS...

My best goals? Well, the lob from distance for Tivvy at Evesham would have to be one (which The Mowdog got on camera in gloom and rain...) 

Also the brace against Taunton in the already mentioned Play-off Semi Final, because of the importance of the match. 

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE BALL ARRIVED?

One free-kick I scored against Hereford at home is one which I recall as one of my best, too. 

One player that I admired a lot in football was George Rogers, not due to the fact of actually playing, but you would never find anyone more committed to a football team than he was. Every home match, every away game, he was always there, brilliant around the dressing room and when you had the bad times personally in games, he was always there to pick you up. He’s a top mate as well...

PROUD...

There were a few tricky teams encountered when I was playing for Tiverton and I would say that Hereford were always tough because they were simply too strong for the league. They had a very powerful side. Another strong team for me was Royston, for they were very physical and they had some very good individual players.

I would have to say Salisbury's and Hereford's grounds are my favourite played-on grounds; both clubs have a great following too and the pitches have great surfaces. 

MUST HAVE BEEN A GOOD ONE...

Ambition wise, I still feel I would like to play at as high a level as I can. Doing this with Parkway, my home club, would be quality. We definitely have the team and resources to do so. 

I coach my son's team at the moment at U10 level and I would like to manage in the men’s game when I’m finished, but hopefully not any time soon! 

THE RELAXED, THE BIRD SPOTTER, THE SLEEPER & THE PONDERER...

If I did coach at adult level, the way the game's going now, I think firstly I would sign players who are willing to work hard. I guess I would probably play all out attack because as a player, I have no defensive skills at all! 

Playing the game, I never found that travel and work were ever issues for me. I enjoyed playing the away games, although it hasn't been ideal after some evening games getting home at 3am! Also having an upstanding wife makes it so much easier for me to be able to play at the level I have for so long. She’s a gem... 

"DON'T LOOK BOYS, HE NEEDS A PEE..."

If I could change something in football, I would definitely take away VAR; I’m not a big fan at all... Scoring a goal and waiting 4-5 minutes at times to see if it counts or not, isn’t how we fell in love with the game... 

As for honours, I have won the treble with Parkway,

Play-off and Cup-double with Parkway too and three times I have won the Golden Boot... 

WHEN YOU'VE PLEASED YOUR FANS...

The worst injury I have suffered is definitely the most recent one. I tore my medial meniscus and also tore my quad. I had my operation, got fit again but in my first game back from injury, I went onto the pitch and with my first kick of the ball, tore my lateral meniscus. How was my luck? That had me out for a good eight months. It's all behind me now though and I'm back fit and am my old self...

PRACTISING FOR THE TEAM PHOTO...

My local pro-team Argyle have had some good players over the years and some good managers who have gone on to play/manage in the Premier League. I have been more interested in the club as I have got older. 

As for my most revered pro-players, obviously watching Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi has been mental because the stats and numbers they get are unbelievable. 

YOU SCORE A FINE GOAL THEN SOME BLOKE COMES ALONG & CHUCKS HIS FULL WEIGHT ON YOU...

For me growing up though, I loved watching the Brazilian Ronaldo. What an unbelievable talent..."

VERY, VERY SPECIAL...