Chris Carruthers delighted to link up with Martin Foyle again at Hereford United (From Hereford Times)

Chris Carruthers delighted to link up with Martin Foyle again at Hereford United

10:00am Thursday 13th September 2012 in Hereford United Latest News

Hereford United skipper Luke Graham is combining his football duties with studying for a qualification in journalism from Staffordshire University. He interviewed team-mate Chris Carruthers to discuss football and life outside the beautiful game.

You can also read Luke’s blog every Friday at herefordtimes.com

HEREFORD United’s new left-sider Chris Carruthers is confident he can put his Football League and Conference experience to good use at Edgar Street this season.

The 28-year-old has played for Oxford United, Crawley Town, York City and Gateshead in the fifth tier of English football and knows what it’s all about.

It was with current Bulls boss Martin Foyle where he came closest to getting out of the Blue Square Bet Premier and back into the Football League, reaching the play-off final with York City.

“I’ve got good experience at this level and also managed to play in the play-off final a few years ago,” said Carruthers. “I’m just desperate to get out of this league and get back into the Football League.

“I made my Football League debut at 17 with Northampton Town and it was a great experience for me.

“Then, at around 21, I got a good move to Bristol Rovers and I had a good three years there.

“We had a very good squad at Bristol and managed to get promoted into League One, winning the play-off final against Shrewsbury 3-1 in my second season with the club.

“Also that season, we made it to the LDV Vans Trophy final against Doncaster Rovers. So I had some really good times there.

“I then had a season in League One with them and we were really looking to push on as a club and get into the Championship.

“It was then when they decided to let me go and I joined Oxford United in the Conference.

“They were a big club at that level and also local to where I was living at the time.

“I felt as if I was joining a club that should be in the Football League and it really appealed to me.”

Carruthers finished the season with Gateshead last term and, on May 1, found himself out of contract, with thousands of footballers set to join him.

It gave him time to think about his career before opting to join Hereford on trial.

“I knew Martin Foyle and Andy Porter from my time at York and really wanted to play for them again,” he said.

“I just wanted to come and get fit, showing them what I was all about again, really.

“It is very difficult when you’re coming to the end of the season knowing there’s a chance you could be unattached for up to three months. Obviously people have commitments with mortgages and bills to pay.

“Then you’re on trial in pre-season, when you’re running really hard and your body is only going to be at 80 per cent of your tank of fuel. So it’s so important for footballers to have things to fall back on. “There are really good opportunities for us through the PFA and players must take advantage of them.

“I did courses over the years of playing and am doing an AAT Accounts course. I also have a letting agency which I keep ticking over while playing football.”

As well as his successes at club level throughout his career, the modest Carruthers has also gained international experience by representing the England under 20 team.

“It was a shock for me when I read the selection letter and my gaffer at the time, Kevan Broadhurst, made me read it out to the squad. I was shaking.

“It was unexpected and I was the only player from outside the Championship to be included.

“It was a real high for me and I got to play with the likes of James Milner, Carlton Cole and Glen Johnson.

“I was lucky to play for them for two years, due to the World Cup being cancelled. I got 14 caps and I’m very proud of them.”

Hereford United fans have already had a good chance to assess Carruthers’ talents on the football field but can find out more about what Carruthers Property Services can offer on carrutherspropertyservices. co.uk