EXCLUSIVE Forever West Ham interviews Hammers legend, Julian Dicks

They say you should never meet your heroes but fortunately that doesn’t extend to speaking to them on the telephone. Here in an exclusive interview with Forever West Ham’s Tim Holland, Julian Dicks looks back on his career and gives his views on the Olympic stadium, Harry Redknapp, Sam Allardyce and David Gold & David Sullivan.

Julian, in recent weeks you’ve been included in our articles on West Ham’s best defenders and best captain’s. How does it feel to still have a good relationship with West Ham fans?

It means a lot to still be remembered by the fans and to be included in these countdowns knowing the great players West Ham have had over the years. To be mentioned as one of the great captains in the same breath as Bobby Moore is an honour.

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Looking back at your career, you were Hammer of the Year four times and you won promotion to the Premier League but what was your overall highlight?

It’s tough to single out one highlight – I joined West Ham when I very young and all I knew about the team was Billy Bonds and John Lyall but I quickly grew to love the place and we had some good times along the way. Being voted Hammer of the year 4 times was a bonus. So overall the highlight was playing for West Ham – getting to play at Upton Park in front of great fans.

Who was the best player you played with in your time?

That’s a tough question, in terms of West Ham I played with some legends – Alan Devonshire, Billy Bonds, Liam Brady. Devonshire had so graceful for a footballer but I’d have to go for Billy Bonds he had such passion on the pitch.

Outside West Ham I played with the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Alan Shearer in England teams and they were great players but I’d probably go for Paul Gascoigne – an amazing player.

You’ve had a varied post playing retirement– dog breeder, golfer, publican, pundit, manager and now coach. Have you settled into your retirement from playing?

No I’ve not settled into my retirement, I don’t think I ever will. I was bitter at the start and said I didn’t want to get involved in football again but it eats away at you. I’ve had a couple of management jobs and I’ve applied for plenty of roles but I haven’t got them.

I’ve applied for jobs at West Ham and have been told I don’t have the experience but it’s a catch 22 – how can you get experience without getting the jobs. I think it’s changed in recent years, the best manager I played under was John Lyall and his coaches were ex players like Ronnie Boyce – they knew the game and they loved the club nowadays you need a computer qualification just to get your foot in the door.

But I still love football so that’s why I’m doing coaching now – helping kids and adults both at home and abroad to become better footballers.

I don’t think I’ll ever properly retire.

You mentioned you were a bit bitter about how it ended?

It could’ve ended better for me – especially as I was quite young and the way the club and chairman at the time wanted to pay me off. All I ever wanted to do was play football, that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.

Wasn’t it Harry Redknapp that moved you to Liverpool and also played you out of position at the end of your West Ham career?

Getting played out of position didn’t really bother me – the writing was on the wall before then. Yeah I suppose Harry helped the move to Liverpool along. I was enjoying my football and Harry, who was at the time the assistant to Billy, came along and told me of their interest and said he could get me a move but I was never told I was still wanted at West Ham. If Billy had told me that then I would’ve stayed.

Where do you stand on the current West Ham regime? Gold, Sullivan, Brady and Allardyce? And the West Ham way?

I won’t comment on Brady but I like Gold and Sullivan – I think they have done a good job at West Ham and genuinely have the best interests of the club at heart. You can see that from David Gold on Twitter – he takes the time to speak to the fans. They did well at Birmingham, people say they sold the club for a profit but then again they worked hard and put a lot of their own money so why shouldn’t they.

Allardyce – I like him as a person and I think he has done well for West Ham. I’m not sure about the style of football we play sometimes and I think he was wrong to say West Ham hasn’t been a good footballing side – I can definitely remember us playing good football in my time! But in fairness it’s a results based business and he’s done a good job so far.

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Where do you stand on the Olympic stadium? Do you think we should abandon the Boleyn Ground in the pursuit of glory?

I think it’s always going to be tough for people moving away from Upton Park but sometimes things need to change in order to grow. I think the Olympic stadium should only be used if it can be affordable for all West Ham fans – I’m not talking about £40 for a ticket – I’m talking about £40 for a family of four. Football shouldn’t just be for the people that can afford a season ticket it should be for everyone.

What are your thoughts on our reported transfer targets? Andy Carroll and possible return of Carlos Tevez?

I think Andy’s a great player and would fit in with the way West Ham play but only if the deal is right. Liverpool paid over the odds and I wouldn’t want to see West Ham do the same.

Carlos, well he’s a talented player – we saw that the last time he was here. I would have him in my team all day long but I would question what happened last season when he left and went back home. But if you kept him right then he’d be a great asset.

Finally, what’s your prediction for West Ham next season?

I still think we need 4 or 5 new players for the new season otherwise we could struggle. But with Sam Allardyce you get stability just look at what did at Bolton Wanderers for so long and that’s what West Ham need – stability in the long term.

Julian has now set up a football coaching school for kids and adults. If you or your team would like to get involved or have a training session please contact julian9@blackberry.orange.co.uk for further info.

Follow Tim on Twitter @timsyouruncle