Soccer: It's all adding up for Paul...

There's an air of distinction about Paul Gothard.

At 6ft 3in he towers over his PE and maths pupils at King Edmund School, Rochford. On Saturdays he stands tall as goalkeeper for FA Cup heroes Hayes.

Did I say air of distinction? I meant hair of distinction. I mean, no one would sport that blond designer toothbrush thatch but a crazy goalkeeper.

They are, according to legend, sporting nutters. Paul's face creases into a mischievous grin as he explains: "I did it for a prank. I had a hernia operation six weeks ago and missed out on four games. I decided to have my hair dyed blond for my comeback match against Hull in the FA Cup.

"It was a bit of an ego trip. Grab the limelight; play to the TV cameras et cetera. The fans and my team mates saw the funny side. And my pupils? They loved the crack and gave me some right stick!"

Gothard is a natural comic; a compulsive joker on the field and in the class room. "The kids keep talking about my lucky blue pants. . . my briefs," he claims with an infectious giggle.

"They are my lucky charms. We've gone six games without losing and I daren't take them off - even if they look a bit tatty.

"Like most footballers, I'm very superstitious. I always wear a special T-shirt; I don an old pair of gloves or change my boots. Anything to keep a good run going.

"We came so close to beating Hull at home before going out in the replay. That was a choker because it would have meant a third round clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge."

He sighs, his disappointment clearly visible: "Just imagine, playing at the Bridge in front of a huge crowd against one of the best sides in Europe.

"Zola, Flo, Deschamps! That was the dream, something you remember for the rest of your life.

"We lost, our little glory run was over. That's life. Full of dangerous crosses and learning curves.

"I'm lucky to have savoured a bit of success in football. I had five good seasons with Dagenham and Redbridge before joining Hayes.

"I played at Wembley in the final of the FA Trophy two years ago for Dagenham. We lost 1-0 to Woking but it was an unforgettable experience.

"There was a crowd of 25,000, most of them Daggers fans and the atmosphere was fantastic. It was a taste of honey and I wanted more.

"When I joined Hayes in the summer it was to further my personal ambitions. I'm the England semi-pro goalkeeper, but I needed a new challenge to boost my career.

"I wanted to play in the Conference League, to test and stretch myself.

"I picked Hayes because they are a young side who share my ambitions.

"We are all part-timers. A collection of accountants, teachers. Nathan Bunce is a tree surgeon and Barry Moore, a postman.

"We're a good mix and enjoy our football. That is what sport is all about - job satisfaction, win or lose."

Gothard takes equal satisfaction from his duties as a PE instructor and maths teacher at King Edmund School: "I started off on the physical training side, but then took up maths. I suppose I've finally got my sums right."

Prangster Paul cannot suppress an irrepressible urge to see the funny side of life. But there is a serious side too to his boisterous character. He suffered the pain of rejection as a 16-year-old and it burns deep.

After finishing his own schooling at Rochford's Greenswood School (St Edmunds great rival on the football pitch) he signed up as an apprentice for Colchester after playing for Ashingdon Boys.

"I spent two seasons with them before I was released by the club. That was the low point of my career, but it made me a more determined person.

"Failure can be a blessing in disguise. It stretches your resolve; it heightens your ambitions.

"When I was first picked for England it was a big step in my career. It gave me the recognition I needed.

"Going on tour with them to places like Brunei and India has been an extra bonus.

"It has meant having four or five days off school and I'm very grateful to the people at the school for their continued support.

"I'm also very lucky to have the opportunity to pursue two careers. Teaching maths has strengthened my commitment, besides looking after the Year 11 football team and the netball side."

Despite his renewed commitment to teaching, Paul cannot deny the undeniable - his ultimate ambition to become a full-time professional footballer.

"I have always dreamed of playing full-time," he confessed. "I'm only 25 and there is still the possibility of playing at pro level.

"Competing at Wembley with Dagenham and against teams like Hull in the FA Cup only whets your appetite.

"Every footballer wants to play on a bigger stage. You secretly hope that some big club will come in for you and give you the chance to play in the Premier League.

"That's the dream that drives me on. I train twice a week at Hayes - a two-hour journey from my home in Woodham Ferrers and twice a week at the local gym.

"Friday night is rest night - unless we have an away game at Scarborough or Yeovil.

"At times it can be a grind, but football is in my blood. My mum and dad - Jackie and Brian - have been very supportive throughout my career.

"Dad is chairman of Battlesbridge FC. He took over from my grandad so my roots in local football run deep.

"I take equal pride in my job as a teacher. The staff at the school have always been supportive. My fellow maths teacher, Dan Robinson, comes from Hull. He has been a real pain lately - it's all part of the fun.

"The kids are very good if we win. If Hayes lose, well, I get some serious stick. The goalkeeper is always the fall guy."

When Paul Gothard returned to his class to resume the maths lesson after our chat, there was a kind of hush, followed by peals of laughter from his adoring pupils as he posed for a picture.

Their affectionate laughter for their semi-pro goalkeeper-cum-maths teacher is beyond the price of pearls.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.