Following City of Manchester’s double triumph in the women’s and men’s Super 5s, captains Jade Smith and Charles Booth (Photos: Trevor Hyde) were invited to offer their thoughts on the 2019/20 season – and on the impact that water polo has had on their lives. Here’s what they said:
Name: Jade Smith
Age: 27
When and how did you start playing water polo for City of Manchester WPC? I was playing for my local club and needed the next step up and my coach at the time mentioned Manchester. So, my brother, sister and I all attended one session and the rest is history. I’ve been a Manchester player since the age of 12.
How many seasons have you played in BWPL? I’m not sure on the exact number but I think about 12 years.
Which team do you look forward to playing against most in BWPL? Liverpool. There has always been a rivalry there from past years, but I find the games are always exciting and there is always great play!
Name the teammate who was your MVP for this season in BWPL: I think it has to be Annie Clapperton. To score that amount of goals, shows how good she really is.
Name the best player you have played with in BWPL: Kate Lewis, she taught me a lot in my first few seasons on the first team.
Name the best player you have played against in BWPL: Angie Winstanley-Smith (when I played for our 2nd team against the 1st team) or a non-Manchester player would have to be Hazel Musgrove (Liverpool). She used to lob me from position 3 almost every game!
Name ‘one to watch’ for the future in BWPL: Mikey Patterson. Played in the first team for three seasons but still young. Has all the attributes to be a great centre forward if he keeps working hard.
What influence has your coach has had on your water polo career at City of Manchester WPC? Theo Nousios has changed the whole mentality of the club and the players. When we play, you can tell we train together every week and work hard; this is all down to Theo and his work with both teams.
What impact has Mike Glover had on your water polo life? Mike had a massive impact on my water polo career. I will always remember my poolside chats with Mike and how he used to tell me it’s great how I’m not scared of the ball. He will be truly missed by everyone in the water polo community and we want to dedicate our win this season to him!
Name: Charles Booth
Age: 31
When and how did you start playing water polo for City of Manchester WPC? It was around 2001/2002, with the youth team, just after the Aquatics Centre had opened in Manchester. I was very fortunate to train and play in such fantastic facilities and we had a number of really good coaches such as Kevin Williams, with whom we won the National Junior title - two years on the bounce. He installed in us a fantastic work and team ethic and how to conduct yourself in and out of the water.
How many seasons have you played in BWPL? 13, I think!
Which team do you look forward to playing against most in BWPL? Cheltenham. For the last eight or so years we've had a really strong rivalry with them with games always being fiercely contested.
Name the teammate who was your MVP for this season in BWPL: Without sounding really cliché it was a real team effort this year. However, Dan Paddon deserves a mention for being the League's top scorer, which is a fantastic achievement. Andrea De Caro scored some unbelievable goals for us and also Dylan Green had a really strong second half of the season in goal, giving the team a great platform to build on. He organises the defence brilliantly.
Name the best player you have played with in BWPL: Joe O'Reagan - strong, scores goals, superb eye for a pass and great defensively. Also, a great leader in the team, setting a fantastic example on how to train and perform in important matches and pushing the lads on to improve. Ed Scott is also brilliant to play with. So calm and a great goalkeeper.
Name the best player you have played against in BWPL: Dave Taylor for Cheltenham. Always thought he was one of the most underrated players. Exceptionally smart player, always had a cool head and scored vital goals or made important contributions when it really mattered. Tom Curwen and Rob Parker are both exceptionally difficult to play against. Both strong, quick, powerful, and great goal scorers.
Name ‘one to watch’ for the future in BWPL: Mikey Patterson. Played in the first team for three seasons but still young. Has all the attributes to be a great centre forward if he keeps working hard.
What influence has your coach has had on your water polo career at City of Manchester WPC? Theo Nousios has had a huge influence, always pushing me and the team to keep improving. He has created a fantastic environment at the club and has transformed the mentality of the team.
What impact has Mike Glover had on your water polo life at Manchester? City of Manchester WPC would not be here without Mike. A true gentleman who had time for everyone and will be sadly missed by everyone involved with the Club.
Name: Jade Smith
Age: 27
When and how did you start playing water polo for City of Manchester WPC? I was playing for my local club and needed the next step up and my coach at the time mentioned Manchester. So, my brother, sister and I all attended one session and the rest is history. I’ve been a Manchester player since the age of 12.
How many seasons have you played in BWPL? I’m not sure on the exact number but I think about 12 years.
Which team do you look forward to playing against most in BWPL? Liverpool. There has always been a rivalry there from past years, but I find the games are always exciting and there is always great play!
Name the teammate who was your MVP for this season in BWPL: I think it has to be Annie Clapperton. To score that amount of goals, shows how good she really is.
Name the best player you have played with in BWPL: Kate Lewis, she taught me a lot in my first few seasons on the first team.
Name the best player you have played against in BWPL: Angie Winstanley-Smith (when I played for our 2nd team against the 1st team) or a non-Manchester player would have to be Hazel Musgrove (Liverpool). She used to lob me from position 3 almost every game!
Name ‘one to watch’ for the future in BWPL: Mikey Patterson. Played in the first team for three seasons but still young. Has all the attributes to be a great centre forward if he keeps working hard.
What influence has your coach has had on your water polo career at City of Manchester WPC? Theo Nousios has changed the whole mentality of the club and the players. When we play, you can tell we train together every week and work hard; this is all down to Theo and his work with both teams.
What impact has Mike Glover had on your water polo life? Mike had a massive impact on my water polo career. I will always remember my poolside chats with Mike and how he used to tell me it’s great how I’m not scared of the ball. He will be truly missed by everyone in the water polo community and we want to dedicate our win this season to him!
Name: Charles Booth
Age: 31
When and how did you start playing water polo for City of Manchester WPC? It was around 2001/2002, with the youth team, just after the Aquatics Centre had opened in Manchester. I was very fortunate to train and play in such fantastic facilities and we had a number of really good coaches such as Kevin Williams, with whom we won the National Junior title - two years on the bounce. He installed in us a fantastic work and team ethic and how to conduct yourself in and out of the water.
How many seasons have you played in BWPL? 13, I think!
Which team do you look forward to playing against most in BWPL? Cheltenham. For the last eight or so years we've had a really strong rivalry with them with games always being fiercely contested.
Name the teammate who was your MVP for this season in BWPL: Without sounding really cliché it was a real team effort this year. However, Dan Paddon deserves a mention for being the League's top scorer, which is a fantastic achievement. Andrea De Caro scored some unbelievable goals for us and also Dylan Green had a really strong second half of the season in goal, giving the team a great platform to build on. He organises the defence brilliantly.
Name the best player you have played with in BWPL: Joe O'Reagan - strong, scores goals, superb eye for a pass and great defensively. Also, a great leader in the team, setting a fantastic example on how to train and perform in important matches and pushing the lads on to improve. Ed Scott is also brilliant to play with. So calm and a great goalkeeper.
Name the best player you have played against in BWPL: Dave Taylor for Cheltenham. Always thought he was one of the most underrated players. Exceptionally smart player, always had a cool head and scored vital goals or made important contributions when it really mattered. Tom Curwen and Rob Parker are both exceptionally difficult to play against. Both strong, quick, powerful, and great goal scorers.
Name ‘one to watch’ for the future in BWPL: Mikey Patterson. Played in the first team for three seasons but still young. Has all the attributes to be a great centre forward if he keeps working hard.
What influence has your coach has had on your water polo career at City of Manchester WPC? Theo Nousios has had a huge influence, always pushing me and the team to keep improving. He has created a fantastic environment at the club and has transformed the mentality of the team.
What impact has Mike Glover had on your water polo life at Manchester? City of Manchester WPC would not be here without Mike. A true gentleman who had time for everyone and will be sadly missed by everyone involved with the Club.
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