Sitting down with Steve...

[Wxgba 306]

SITTING DOWN WITH STEVE.

The King of Merchandise and HQ photos, Steve, kindly accepted my invitation to spare five minutes of his hectic schedule to answer a few questions I had.

Name:

Steve.

Age:

22.

Nationality:

Australian but I do have English, Italian and Maltese backgrounds.

Place of residence:

Melbourne... but hopefully London sometime in the future!

Chelsea fan since:

My dad has supported the Blues since the late '70s and my grandmother used to live in London when she was in her twenties! She has been a Chelsea fan most of her life. Her favourite player is Peter Bonetti and last year when I met him I made sure I got a photo with him for her! So to answer your question: Pretty much since I started following football... so probably 12 years now. In Australia there was never really football on TV in the '90s every week so it was always hard to watch games.

What's the best memory you have as a Chelsea fan?

There is so many to choose from but for me, personally, it would have to be my first game I attended as a Chelsea fan... Chelsea 3-0 Burnley! For me it is something I will always remember; being at the ground for the first time and just having the biggest smile on my face as if I'd just moved into my new house!

But I also can't look past the first time we'd won the title in 50 years... What a feeling it was too see the joy on the players and fans' faces. From that point onwards we were always destined to become a real force in Europe and hasn't that become a reality as of late. Winning the Champions League will always be one of those moments that will produce a tear or two!

We're all aware you're a die-hard Blues fan, even though you're situated on the other side of the world. Is it difficult being a Chelsea fan at times?

Of course! Getting up at all hours of the morning to watch games is always tiring when you have work/uni the next morning. But it's something that has become some what of a habit for myself. I don't honestly remember the last time I missed a game! It would have to be at least 7 seasons ago now, which is including pre-season games. The only games that I have missed are ones that have not been aired on TV or radio.

Who are your three favourite Chelsea players and, more importantly, why?

For me personally, it would have to be Frank Lampard, John Terry and Didier Drogba. But there are so many to choose from!

Frank Lampard

There is so many reasons on why he is one of my favourite players, as I am sure a lot of other Chelsea fans feel the same way. He is just an unstoppable force in midfield. He never stops running, he always puts in that perfect pass, and his goalscoring record from midfield is just outstanding. There aren't many players on the same level as Frank and to this day it saddens me that he is not respected more (by the media and other fans) for what he has done for Chelsea.

John Terry

Before my serious knee injury I was a central defender and he was always someone that I admired and looked up to as a role model. He wears his heart on his sleeve in every single game and always puts his body on the line for the Blues - he is the captain of Chelsea for a reason! Sure, he has had his problems off the pitch, but as long as he does the business on the field it doesn't bother me what he does off of it.

Didier Drogba

Surely one of the greatest figures in football history. Not only what he does on the field but what he does off it. Watching him score that winning penalty in the Champions League final was something that he really deserved. He gets so much slack from the media but he always rises above it and manages to silence the haters. His goal tally for us is quite incredible. I could go on forever about this man but he is a God in the eyes of many at Chelsea and I will leave it there!

You're an all-round nice guy... or at least that how it comes across on the forum. Is there anything that grinds your gears, both on and off the forum? My guess would be stealing someone else hard work (photos) and needless petulance...

Hmm, not really. I like to think I am always fair and a pretty nice person. The whole photo stealing is quite annoying but at the end of the day it happens and you just move on from it. The forum has been a bit of a rollercoatser in pre-season but hopefully it comes good again when the season starts.

According to your profile, your first match was against Burnley in August 2009. Can you begin to explain your feelings on that day? Any memories from that trip that stick out in your mind?

Like I said above it is probably my biggest highlight as a Chelsea fan. Just everything about the day was amazing. Even though I sat in the East Stand for that game I will always remember that day as the day I turned a new chapter in my life. I had finally done what I'd wanted to do for a very long time.

You've been allocated a budget of £20m (in today's transfer market!), which player(s) would you sign and why? N.B. It doesn't have to be anyone we're currently linked with...

Good question, I honestly don't know... I guess if I had to choose I would go for someone such as De Rossi. I don't think we could get him for that much but the way he plays I feel he would suit us a whole lot.

Are you currently in employment? If so, what's your occupation?

I have a part-time job in retail, but I am currently studying Information Technology at University. Actually really enjoying it and have been offered a couple of jobs in programming which would require some more courses after I finish the one I'm doing currrently, but I'll look more into that once I have finished!

Where do you see yourself in two years time? What would you like to accomplish in that two-year period?

I would like to purchase a house here in Australia or come back to London on a working Visa. Depending on whether or not I find a good-paying job, of course. I may stay here but I honestly want to move back to London so I can follow the Blues around a bit more!

Seeing as though you've seemingly got a standing order set up with the megastore, what else does your money go towards?

Hahaha, I honestly save most of my money. Surprisingly, I put most of my pay cheque away in my savings and the rest is just for everyday living. Like Gas, food and study fees mainly. Oh, and of course the girlfriend...

So, you say you're in a relationship... Who wears the trousers? In all seriousness, though; How long have you been together, and can you see yourselves together for a substantial amount of time?

It's only quite recent, to be honest- about 5 months now. It has been a bit up and down at times but we are trying to sort our problems out. I guess we will see how things go, but she's a good girl so we are going to try and make it work.

Do you live at home with parents, or have you managed to flee the nest?

Still with the parents at the moment but like I said above, I'm planning on purchasing a house soon enough.

What sort of music are you into?

Mostly alternative rock and hip hop. I listen to bands like; Coheed and Cambria, Dredg, Karnivool, At the Drive-In... but on the hip hop side I generally listen to; Kanye West, Common, Kid Cudi, Nas and Jay Z.

Snog, marry, avoid: Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley, Christine Bleakley.

Snog...

Natalie Portman

Marry...

Keira Knightley

Avoid...

Christine Bleakley

Name five of your favourite films:

- The Green Mile

- Inception

- The Hangover

- Step Brothers

- Inglorious Basterds

There's a dinner party, and you're allowed to invite up to 5 guests from past and present. Who would you pick?

Are we talking about Chelsea players? Or friends and family? Haha, I guess if it was Chelsea players I would have to go with - Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Zola and Ossie if he was still here! If it was friends and family I would have to go with a couple of my cousins and two of my mates that you guys probably wouldn't know.

You have five words to describe five members on here. What words would you choose and who would you associate with those words?

Legend - Jim

Determined - Alex

Helpful - Sh0n3x

Loyal - Ron

Caring - Kerry

You obviously have commitments here on TC, you're managing a part-time job with university and also making time for the other half. That's not even including watching your beloved Chelsea! So, my question is: Do like to do anything else in your spare time?

Of course! I love spending time with my mates and try to make time to see them at least once every couple of weeks. But also after a long day I like to play some games! I play indoor football on Tuesday nights but with my dodgy knees I only play as a goalkeeper. I wear my Petr Cech shirts every week and I get looked at funny when I wear my fluorescent orange shirt! He would of been proud when I scored a screamer from the other end of the court into the top right corner last Tuesday! Loves to brag!

Who's your favourite non-Chelsea player, past and present?

At the moment it would have to be Pirlo or Balotelli. Pirlo for his class on the field - I wish we signed him when we had the chance. Balotelli because he is a good laugh and a real gem on the field. In the past it would have to be Zola or Zidane - both are pretty easy to understand why!

With over 3,000 positive reps across the board, it's evident that you're well respected by all. Any tips?

Start uploading photos, haha! No, seriously, I don't get as much free time as I like these days to get on the forum and post heaps, but when I do, I try to keep my posts detailed but relevant to the topic at hand. I'm not really sure what else to say. Most the people on the forum are pretty intelligent and post pretty well, to be fair!

When signing up to this site back in 2007, what did you expect? Did you think you'd ever become an admin?

I signed up here after I recieved an email saying that the old forum had moved to Talk Chelsea. I was pretty shattered when the old site closed down as I was only on there for around a year, but I am happy to say that I have helped make the site what it is today. Back in 2007 and pretty much up until about 2009 the forum was really slow, I was really one of the only Australians on the site and it was hard for me to always post with the time zones being so different. But I am glad I stuck around and got to see what the site has become today!

How did you become an admin? Did BlueLion lure you to the dark side?

When the site started to get busier I offered to help out around the site a fair bit. I was trying to get the site heaps of new members by advertising everywhere I could. At the time we only had around 2,000 members and I think we are up to about 6,000 now. I guess the guys noticed what I was doing and offered me a moderating role because of that. It wasn't too long after that, that I got offered the admin role.

What are your predictions for the forthcoming season? What do you want to see from the team and what do you expect?

Of course I would love to see us go on to win a lot of trophies but I am realistic and know we have brought it a lot of new faces to the squad and it will take time for us to get going. Of course I hope I'm wrong and we go on and dominate against most teams but only time will tell... I was very happy when the club gave Robbie the full-time job and I hope he can continue the way he finished last season!

Last, but not least - would care to share a pic for us all to put a face to a username?

Once again, thanks for taking the time to reply to my question in such detail. Enjoy!

You can follow Steve on Twitter: @SteveCFC1389.

I will be doing many more of these "interviews" in the coming weeks while it's the close-season. If you're interested in being interviewed, don't hesitate to contact me. I do have a few members l would like to question first, but I will get round to you!

[Steve 10,227]

[capriccioso 2,545]

Keira Knightley

[James 5,174]

Brilliant! What was this interview for Greg, you got your own site?

[Strike 7,183]

Sweet stuff.

(but de Rossi? seriously?)

[manpe 10,861]

That picture with JT is class

[Steve 10,227]

Sweet stuff.

(but de Rossi? seriously?)

Love him! His vision and the way he plays is brilliant. Just personal opinion i guess.

[capriccioso 2,545]

It's because they're both Italian.

[Wxgba 306]

I'm glad so many of you enjoyed the interview, anyway!

Brilliant! What was this interview for Greg, you got your own site?

No, mate. I was thinking of some ideas for the forum during close-season and this was one of them. You were going to be first in line, but Steve was online last night so I thought I may as well get it over and done with.

You got time to answer some questions in a couple of days time?

[James 5,174]

I'm glad so many of you enjoyed the interview, anyway!

No, mate. I was thinking of some ideas for the forum during close-season and this was one of them. You were going to be first in line, but Steve was online last night so I thought I may as well get it over and done with.

You got time to answer some questions in a couple of days time?

I could turn these interviews into pages for the main site then have a meet the staff section, just an idea.

Yeah send the questions over as soon as your ready!

[Steve 10,227]

I'm glad so many of you enjoyed the interview, anyway!

Will upload it to the main site tonight mate. I will also all the others you do to the main site also.

[Wxgba 306]

I could turn these interviews into pages for the main site then have a meet the staff section, just an idea.

Yeah send the questions over as soon as your ready!

You can do as you please with it/them, buddy. Honestly, do whatever you want with 'em.

Nice one. I'll start writing some questions up in an hour or so. I'll not publish it for a couple of days though - I'll let Steve have his time in the limelight!

[Spike 12,049]

I bet that gave Steve a bit of an ego boost.

[Steve 10,227]

I bet that gave Steve a bit of an ego boost.

Which part

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Quality stuff mate, I like this a lot! We should get these for all the staff and use them as our profiles on the main site!

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Excellent stuff. Brilliant idea Greg

[zolayes 14,489]

well done Greg ....a brilliant idea well executed

[termninja 5,290]

That was bloody brilliant Greg, great idea mate and it looked really professional!