90 seconds with Gordon ‘Flash’ Watson

Gordon ‘Flash’ Gordon begin his career at the Valley for his boyhood team Charlton Athletic in 1989 where he scored 7 goals which attracted the attention of Big Ron. The Sheffield Wednesday manager signed the promising striker for £250k which eventually rose to £350k based on appearances. During his time at Hillsborough, the forward made his England U21’s debut against Senegal and in his second game against CIS he also bagged his first and only international goal.

During his four year stay in South Yorkshire the target man scored 21 goals in 87 games for The Owls. In March 1995, Southampton manager Alan Ball parted with £1.2m to acquire the services of Flash to help save relegation threatened Saints which he duly obliged scoring three goals in 12 games to help Southampton to a mid-table finish. The Saints struggled again the following seasons which saw many changes in the dugout during his stay at The Dell. Watson scored 8 goals in 52 appearances.

After two years on the South Coast, Flash was back in Yorkshire but this time with Bradford City in a £500k deal. Just three games into his Banthams career saw the hard working striker suffer a horrific double fracture to his right leg which ruled him out for 18 months. He went on to score 5 goals in 21 matches for the West Yorkshire outfit.

Gordon returned back to the South Coast for spells with Bournemouth and Portsmouth before heading up to the North East for his final and most prolific spell in professional football for Hartlepool United where he bagged 23 goals in 49 Football League games. Another leg break in 2002 curtailed the 31 year old strikers career.

90 seconds, 11 Q&A with Gordon Watson:-

1) Childhood team growing up? Charlton Athletic.
2) First pair of football boots owned? A pair of Gola classics.
3) Did you have a nickname in the dressing room and how did you get it? Flash Gordon for obvious reasons (blonde Hair / blue eyes / name = Gordon)
4) Favourite teammate? Too many to mention but Matt Le Tissier, Jamie Lawrence, Des Walker and Paul Warhurst all stand out.
5) Toughest opponent? Former Spurs and Arsenal defender Sol Campbell.
6) Which player do you wish you’d had the chance to play with? It would have to be Captain Marvel, Bryan Robson.
7) Favourite football shirt you’ve played in? The classic England 1990 shirt from Italia 90. I was lucky to wear it for England U21’s whilst starting my career.
8) Best stadium for atmosphere? Hillsborough, home of the mighty Sheffield Wednesday.
9) Biggest influence on your career? Bad defenders and good team mates.
10) Most prized possessions from your playing days? My England U21’s caps.
11) What keeps you busy these days? I’m a presenter for BetUS.com who cover all European soccer, golf & horse racing in Costa Rica.