GASH 'N' GRAB! TURBINES DRIVEN BY EMPOWERED BOSS WITH A PLAN

Goal ace happy to lead from the back

- Chris Dunlavy

ONCE upon a time, it wasn’t unusual to see prolific forwards become central defenders in the sunset of their careers.

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit won Euro '88 and two European Cups as a striker, but was used as a sweeper by Glenn Hoddle at Chelsea.

Dion Dublin and Chris Sutton, who shared the Premier League golden boot in 1998, both spent lengthy periods at the back for Aston Villa and Celtic.

Rarely do poachers turn gamekeeper these days. At Peterborough Sports, however, player-manager Michael Gash is keeping a dying art alive.

The 38-year-old has scored over 200 career goals for the likes of York, Cambridge United and Barnet, with whom he won the National League title in 2015.

But after a handful of successful cameos at the back in 2023-24, Gash made the switch a permanent one-and started all but six games as the Turbines recorded their highest-ever finish of 12th in National League North last term.

"It started because we were short on players," explains Gash, who co-manages the club alongside former Manchester United goalkeeper Luke Steele.

"But when the season finished, Luke basically said to me 'Listen, you've performed brilliantly, do you reckon you could play there all year?' I was like 'Mate, I'll play anywhere'.

"So we just went for it and I've ended up having a good, solid season. I really enjoy it and I'm telling you now that it's a lot easier than playing centre-forward because the whole game is in front of you.

"I can see the picture. I can see the build-up play. I've got a lot of experience and I've been a centre-forward myself, which I think is a massive help.

Manoeuvres

"You've got the physical strikers. You've got the quick and nifty strikers. Then you've got the skilful ones.