Hutch
eyeing play-off spot
By Matt Pitman
Tuesday 18th January 2005
STALWART lan Hutchinson insists Weymouth can win promotion
to mark his tenth anniversary with the Terras in style.
The midfielder, who continues his testimonial celebrations
this week, reckons his side are running into form at the ideal
time - Weymouth are currently just three points off the Conference
South play-off zone.
And Hutchinson reckons his team-mates can overturn that deficit
when they face fellow promotion hopefuls Thurrock and Basingstoke
in the next fortnight.
The popular 32-year-old told Echosport: "We're on a good
little run at the moment, being undefeated in the last three
games and just three points off the play-offs.
"We're hitting form at just the right time because it's
often the teams who do well from January onwards that end
up winning promotion.
"I definitely think we can still go up, probably not
automatically because Grays look odds-on to win the title
now but certainly through the play-offs.
"The recent wins have given us that extra bit of confidence
and the team spirit is excellent at the moment.
"We're starting to look dangerous which is a good sign,
with the new lads settling in, especially as we've got two
big games around the corner.
"Thurrock at home this Saturday is a massive match because
they are in the play-offs at the moment, then we travel to
Basingstoke the week after.
"Two wins in those games will put us in pole position
and I certainly think we're capable of doing that."
Hutchinson, who joined Weymouth from Halifax Town in 1994,
is preparing for a gala dinner this Thursday marking his decade
with the Terras.
Former Leicester City and England legend Frank Worthington
is guest speaker for the midfielder's big night at the resort-based
Hotel Prince Regent.
Hutchinson said: "I'm really looking forward to Thursday
night because it's shaping up to be a special night for me
and something I really appreciate.
"I've had some great times over the last ten years, such
as winning the Southern League championship in 1997.
"It's been an eventful few years though, I worked out
the other day I've played under 12 managers in that time which
is some record. Mind you, at my age I'm not sure I'll play
under another 12."
The north-easterner, who works as a porter at Dorset County
Hospital, never expected to clock up nearly 500 appearances
for the Terras after making the journey south in 1994.
"I remember the day I signed I was sat on a wall by the
harbour with the then manager Graham Carr, Matthew McGowan
and Terry Nutnam.
"They said to me that once I moved to the town, I wouldn't
want to leave.
"I thought they were talking rubbish and told them I'd
probably be off back up the north after two months.
"Now here we are, ten years on and I'm still here and
very happy about it.
"It's a great town, I've got a smashing son Harry and
I'm enjoying my football.
What more would I want?"
And Hutchinson, who nearly joined rivals Dorchester Town last
season, revealed how celebrating ten years with Weymouth has
inspired a few changes - such as chopping his trademark curly
hair.
"Over the years I've taken plenty of light-hearted stick
for my hair, so I finally saw sense and decided it had to
go.
"The players have always claimed I've been stuck in the
1980s and apparently I was once described as having poodle
hair on national radio.
"But now it's gone and the boys will have to find something
else to take the mick out of instead," he joked.
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