Page 8 - Raynes Park Vale FC v Hythe Town FC

Player file subject: Billy Bishop

Goalkeeper Age:25 / born:Epsom / Height:6’1” / Previous Team: Abbey Rangers

Welcome back to another season at Grand Drive! You’re becoming a bit of a hero at RPV - how are you V V
How was the break for you?? finding the crowds these days?
Thank you, happy to be back. It was good, much needed I’m loving it. It makes such a difference having an atmosphere
after the busy end to last season with us playing Saturday and the brilliant support at our games, the crowds have
and Tuesday for the last few months, so the body definitely been progressively getting bigger, so it just keeps getting
needed a rest but as always, a couple of weeks into the break I better and better. We all really appreciate the support and
started to miss the football and was itching to get back. hopefully we continue putting on the performances to keep
everyone coming back and then give them something to BILLY BISHOP
How’s the start of the season been? What’s the mood really cheer about come the end of the season!
in the dressing room amongst the players?
It’s been a very positive start to the season, with 4 great We’ve always had a bit of an issue in the GK position
performances with a bit of everything in them so far and all the for England. Who’s your choice?
lads are keen to keep up the good form. Going into the World Cup I don’t think we can look past
Jordan Pickford, he hasn’t let England down yet and has
A few personnel changes in the squad this season - the major tournament experience, however, I do believe
how’s that working out? Aaron Ramsdale has the attributes to surpass him
I’m really happy with how the squads shaping up, we’ve added and will be really challenging for the number one
some real quality while also adding some much needed shirt come Euro 2024.
experience into the squad as well. The competition for
places is healthy and is only going to benefit the team moving Croydon...? Discipline has been a topic around the
1
forward. In terms of gelling I think things have come together team lately - how do you think it’s working out?
really well in the last few games and we’re only going to get I’m very proud of how we’ve all carried ourselves in the
stronger fixtures against Croydon since our meeting at the start of
last season and there has been a real effort from all the boys
Some people who have doubts about a ‘keeper being to work on our disciplinary record. We’re a team that plays to
a captain. What’s your ‘keeper’s view on it? win and will give everything to get the job done so with that
Yeah I’ve never really understood it to be honest, as a unfortunately there will be bookings and the odd sending off
goalkeeper you can see everything on the pitch and are able but dissent and the sin bins we all view as unacceptable, so
to help teammates with your communication, but also, I feel the target is not to receive any of them this season.
there is a lot more to being a captain then just what you do on
the pitch, I think it’s just as important that you lead by example It was great to see England’s women lift a major
by trying to set a standard in everything you do around the trophy - what did you think of the performances
club. from them and Mary Earps in particular?
It was great, some big and convincing wins along the way
John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Dani Alves…who would and then to beat the Germans at Wembley in the final it Vale
you choose from RPV as stand-in keeper? was just meant to be, they all done the country proud! I
Well Archie did don the gloves when I was sent off against was buzzing for Mary Earps, I’ve always kept an eye on the

Star Player
Fleet last season, the less said about that the better, I can’t England goalkeepers and she had been around the England
say I was that impressed, sorry Arch but I have heard that Dan set up for a long time but not really featured so was nice to
Moody has made quite a few appearances as a goalkeeper finally see her get her chance and then go on to win a major
even starting a few games in nets so we might have to rethink tournament while putting in some strong displays.
our plan C!
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