Matt McClure has been around for over 10 years now but the striker feels he has finally found his feet at Gloucester City.
McClure has scored 10 goals in 9 games in the National League North making him the leading goalscorer in the league.
Starting his career at Wycombe Wanderers, McClure has played in League One and Two for The Chairboys as well as Dagenham & Redbridge.
He has also played for Aldershot Town and had a brief stint at Maidstone United before joining the Tigers in January.
Here’s what he had to say about his time at City so far…
McClure has also featured for Northern Ireland U21s and he acknowledges the priceless experience he gained from being in a range of dressing rooms.
He said: “Only now do you realise how valuable the experience was. At the time you take it for granted and you just expect your career to stay at that level.”
“I was in a relegation battle. I’ve been promoted from League Two to League one with Wycombe.
“The taste of different dressing rooms stands you in good stead for the now.”
The City striker describes himself as a clever striker claiming at this stage of his career, he adopts a more mindful style of playing.
“I can read the game well,” McClure said, “I’m playing with my brain a little bit more these days rather than my energy which I used to be renowned for,” he jokes.
Growing up as a Chelsea fan McClure had a whole host of players that attracted his attention and he highlighted Gianfranco Zola and Eidur Gujohnsen as the players that he admired the most.
“I idolised Gianfranco Zola. I always had Chelsea season ticket and he was my favourite.”
When asked who he would compare himself to the most, McClure revealed Duncan Ferguson was the comparison one person made.
“I got compared to Duncan Ferguson once which I wasn’t very happy with.”
On his own comparison he said, “I’m going to go with Eidur Gudjohnsen,” said the City striker, “He was good with his feet but he could also finish and he played with his mind,” traits that he claims are the strongest assets to his game.
It cannot be forgotten that McClure has only entered the supposed prime of his career at the age of 29 but he insists he has a strong idea of where he wants to be in the future.
“Hopefully a successful couple of seasons here with Gloucester. Short term we want to have a successful season.
“In 10 years’ time who knows I might be down here coaching in the dugout again,” he joked.
McClure is currently nursing a leg injury and his side face Boston United next.
