QA: Mick Harford

Do you have the hardest job in football?

I imagine so. We’re in administration, have had ten points deducted, are favourites to go down and the last manager resigned because he didn’t want to see it through. But I knew how bad it was, so I can’t complain. And we finally won on Saturday.

How bad is bad?

This club has been mismanaged for two years. I’ve only got one centre back — Chris Perry. We’re not allowed to sign any players. In a couple of games I’ve had to play four left-footed full backs across the back. It’s not ideal, but we can’t complain. We broke the rules and the Football League have punished us. We need to win eight of our last ten games to have any chance of staying up. It’s a big ask, but miracles do happen.

It must hurt because you played at Kenilworth Road in the glory days.

I love the club, but I’m not here for sentimental reasons. I’m not here to fight fires, I’m here for the long haul.

How do you relax?

Relax? What’s that? Football’s always on my mind. I used to play a bit of golf, but my golf’s suffering.

What makes you depressed?

Losing football matches.

What would improve the quality of your life?

Winning football matches.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

I was a plumber in the North East when I was 16. I was strapped to a chimney during a gale. That was a nightmare.

What was a plumber doing up a chimney?

It’s a long story.

What do you hate most about your appearance?

My bent nose. It’s been smashed a bit.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Well, I’m still a massive Sunderland fan. Only joking. Australia would be the perfect place to settle down or maybe Cape Town in South Africa.

Which living person do you admire the most?

Good question. Heroes? I don’t really have any heroes. How about Tiger Woods or Sir Alex Ferguson? Take your pick, one of those two.

Didn’t Ferguson try to sign you for Manchester United in the 1990s?

Apparently so. I didn’t find out about it until I read his autobiography a couple of years ago. He put a bid in, Luton said no, and that was that.

Interview by KAVEH SOLKEHOL