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After a varied and hard-working pre-season, Kiernan Hughes-Mason got his finally got his reward when Kettering Town signed him last month. The former Millwall youngster left Tooting & Mitcham United with the praise of manager Mark Beard ringing in his ears. Hughes-Mason scored a hat-trick on his debut for Tooting against Hendon last August, while on loan from the Lions, and capped his various spells with the club by scoring a dramatic headed equaliser at Gander Green Lane to earn the Terrors a thrilling 2-2 draw in January.

He returned for another spell this August after leaving Millwall and seeking out opportunities in the summer, arranging with Beard a non-contract arrangement. The deal indicated a genuine link between club and player, and while Beard is certain that Hughes-Mason will succeed at Nene Park, he’ll certainly miss his quality and personality in SM4.

With a new opportunity now looming large for Hughes-Mason, who has just over a week remaining as a teenager, it’s easy to see why he’s excited about the future.

The Interview

 
TFT: You recently moved to Kettering Town at a difficult time for the club. How did the transfer come about?

Kiernan Hughes-Mason: I’ve come to Kettering Town at a bad time for the club on and off the pitch, not getting the right results and that sort of stuff. But as a young professional, coming into this environment can only benefit me for the future - being able to deal with different situations, being in a team where you have grind out results most weeks. So for me its a great experience.

I’ve known Mark Stimson since I was about nine or ten years old in my days at Arsenal academy. He was at Spurs, so he’s always known what sort of player I was. He took me on trial while he was manager at barnet, so when the chance to come to kettering came along I jumped at it. Working under Mark is enjoyable, he likes to play football the right way; as a young player, he really helps you understand your role in the team. It’s nice to be able to come into training everyday knowing you’ll enjoy your session.

Has the mood in the dressing room improved in the time you’ve been at the club?

The mood in the dressing room hasn’t really changed, you know. I suppose the boys are still trying to get used to the way the gaffer wants to play, and of course that takes time. Everyone feels we’ve got a good enough squad to do well this season, I think when we start putting the right results together we will climb up the table pretty fast. At training there’s a buzz every day - we know we can do well.

You spent a lot of your early career at Millwall. How was your experience in the Football League?

Millwall, what can I say? Great club, great fans. For me personally, I enjoyed my time at Millwall. I didn’t progress like I would have liked to, but I learned a lot and took a lot away when I left there. The best thing that happened there was signing my professional contract - which was a proud moment for me - as well as making my debut. My only regret would be that I didn’t kick on fully and fulfil my potential like I wanted to, but as young player everything is a learning curve and I certainly learned lessons from being there.

We hear a lot about the spending, excesses and habits of young footballers. What’s the reality?

I have a pretty basic routine, to be honest. After training I go home and chill out really, check the latest news in the Twitter world, play a bit of FIFA 12. I like going for walks as well with a bit music in the headphones, depending whether it’s a day before a match or not. I’m a quite chilled out person really. Some may see me as boring!

We’re always hearing from top flight footballers about their reasons for being on Twitter, but what’s your take on it?

Yes, I tweet a lot. I think Twitter is brilliant. It’s a great way to interact with the fans and fellow professionals ,and just people in general. I don’t get anything out of it, I just enjoy social networking. You talk to people that you would never meet so I think it’s brilliant. Footballer or not I would still be on Twitter, but I strongly doubt I would have as many followers as I do if I wasn’t one.

You spent time in the summer looking to find a professional club. How did that search go, and were there any opportunities that interested you?

I started pre-season at Yeovil Town and spent two weeks there. I only played one game for them. It was more of a get fit to go somewhere else sort of thing. After that I played a game for Plymouth Argyle against Bristol City. We lost 3-2 but I scored a header, which was good for me but nothing materialised out of it. Next stop was Burton Albion - I played two games for them, one against Alfreton which we won 3-1, and I scored twice. Then we lost 4-0 to Tamworth.

Then I went to Cambridge United and played a game for them, whcih we won 6-0; I scored two and set up two, and why they didn’t sign me was beyond a lot of people I spoke to. Then I went to Grimsby Town and played for them against Brigg Town. We won 2-0 and I set up both goals but again nothing happened.

So I suppose despite so many knock-backs - and none through bad performances - I was pleased with my pre-season. I just knew I had to keep going and something would come up.

After that you returned to Tooting & Mitcham United, where you’d spent a portion of last season. What attracted you back to the club?

Mark Beard, and a few of the boys were always in my ear telling me to come back. In the end I decided that I needed to play games and if I need to start from the bottom to go up, that’s what I’d do. So I called up Mark and he said, “yeah, see you at training on Thursday,” and that was it done. Tooting are one of the very few teams whose results I always look out for.

My last spell at the club, if you put into perspective, was a success for me. I’ve gone there on a non-contract knowing If I play well and another team came in for me I can go on a free. So that’s a positive. I was just glad to be enjoying my football again.

What’s it like working with Mark Beard?

I love working with Mark. His passion for the game came out in every team talk. He really drilled what he wanted to do with the squad. He made you feel like you’re the best player in the world. He’s probably the second best manager I’ve worked under, just behind Scott Fitzgerald who was my youth team manager at Millwall.

Who are the best players you’ve played with?

The best player I’ve played with outside the Football League without a doubt would be Anthony Cook at Chelmsford City. He’s different class; the best right winger in non-league football by a long way. I believe he won’t be at Chelmsford for very long. At Tooting, while he’s probably not quite the best player, I would say Jason Henry just for what he brings to the team. He’s consistent, he works so hard and I don’t think he gets the plaudits he deserves. Top man.

Anybody we should be looking out for?

Look out for Luke Wanadio (Tooting), a young right winger converted into a right back by Mark Beard. He’s got the potential to be a very, very good player. If he gets the opportunity to go into full time football he will blossom into something very special, as well as being under the right manager. He can really kick on and make a name for himself - he’s had a great start to the season and if he keeps it up who knows what will happen.

What are your ambitions for the future? How far do you think you can go?

My ambitions are to be as successful as I can. My goal is to play at the highest level possible; I’ve been given the opportunity to kickstart my career at Kettering and I plan to do that. I think if I really believe I can go all the way, then I will.

Tags: Blue Square Bet Premier, Kettering Town, Kiernan Hughes-Mason, Millwall, Tooting & Mitcham United