17 years and still going strong for Kotsopoulos

?So long as I can balance work and football and keep enjoying it I will keep going,? is how he puts it before adding.
“Of course, I have to be able to perform to expected standards otherwise I wouldn?t be asked back again for the following year but even with the knocks in today?s game the body is holding up so I?ll be around next season.?
Kotsopoulos is honored to captain the side and although starting on the wing in his younger days it was his pace that worried defences and was slipped in as a striker but he is happy to play wherever needed: ?You have to be adaptable in today?s game and like most players I will slot into any role from wing and in the hole behind the strikers to filling in at left back or inside left or wherever I can do a job for the team.
?It?s important because with suspension and injuries throughout the year you can?t have a squad deep enough to cover all positions.?
It would take a mighty effort to make the Top Five this year although not impossible: ?I think that the injury list and suspensions have disrupted us and perhaps without them we would already be in the Top Five and we can still make it but we would need to win just about all of our remaining games.
?The team has come on this year under John Calleja as he is a good communicator and his coaching methods are second to none.
?We train harder and are obviously fitter so we keep attacking for the full 90-minutes without fading out of games.
?He makes things easy to understand which is fantastic for the younger players coming through and we have the nucleus of a being a very good side but we will do our best and try to finish off hard and see where it takes us.?
If there is a note of disappointment for the likeable Kotsopoulos it?s in the crowds and coverage: ?Ten years ago the crowds were higher but the game is more professional now although the coverage isn?t as good as it could be.
?Last year people were coming up to me and saying they had seen me on the TV but this year it?s like no-one really knows when the games are on or where which is a shame as they are missing out on some good football.?
When posed with the question of whether over the years he has found himself dropping back down the field from striker to midfielder etc. you get a glimpse of the humorous side: ?I?ve made the joke over the years that I?ll buy a pair of gloves and settle in goal when I get old,? he laughs.
Staunch, loyal, affable, fun and still going strong?.good news for Berries fans and the TeleChoice Premier League.
-By Micky Brock