How quickly things change in football. Just over a year ago, Bradley Bubb was part of the Farnborough side which ended Woking's promotion's dream in a dramatic Blue Square Bet South play-off semi-final. A month later, he'd earned a move into the Football League with local rivals Aldershot Town. Now, he's wearing the Cardinal red and white after agreeing a one-year loan deal from the League Two club, where he's found his opportunities limited.
Bubb, 24, has a wealth of non-league experience behind him, scoring for fun at most of his previous clubs, although this will be his first taste of Blue Square Bet Premier. With eight caps for Caribbean nation Grenada, he is at least keeping up when it comes to family bragging rights. Older brother Byron and cousin Alvin have also won international honours. Plenty to talk about, then...
What's your earliest memory of football?
Watching my Dad play. It was tearing down with rain and I was on the sidelines with a ball at my feet.
Who did he play for? And who were your heroes growing up?
It was team called Nissan. My hero was Ronaldo, aka R9, he was the best player ever.
I used to have a pair of R9 boots, they were the business. You joined
Woking on loan last week - what are your first impressions?
They are very good; good team and team spirit. I know about the club,
they have a good following and have always had a good team each year.
What memories do you have of coming up against them in derbies when you were a Farnborough player?
Erm... the play-off semi-final [in 2011]. I think it was a great game and the
fans from both teams were out in numbers. Great games, both the first and second legs.
Your twitter bio tells me you're a big tattoo fan. How many have you got and which is your favourite?
I've nearly finished both arms and one across my chest and one on each arm. My
favourite one is my chest - it says "No-one can outrun their destiny".
Talk me through the best goal you've ever scored.
It was a half-volley, about 35 yards out, top corner, a few years ago away at Truro City.
What does it mean to you to play international football for Grenada? What do you remember about your debut?
It means the world to me, representing my Dad's country. It was against Trinidad & Tobago and we won 1-0. To hear the national anthem play was amazing.
It sounds like you're from quite a sporting family. Does much banter fly around between you, Byron and Alvin?
Yeah, a little bit. Byron still thinks he can play in the Premier League and Alvin thinks
he's the fastest still. That's a whole massive argument with all my other cousins that play football - who's the best in the family.
Away from family, who are your best friends in football?
There's a few like Anthony Straker [Southend / Grenada] and Danny Hylton [Aldershot], but a few that play non-league too.
How hot do you have your chicken at Nando's?
Haha just hot.
What made you decide to come on loan to Woking for this season?
Well, just to get playing at a good level really, and I know Woking is a club on the up.
Do you feel like you still have something to prove as an Aldershot player?
Yeah, I feel I do. I haven't really played much and I'd like to show people
what I can do. Football is a funny game, it takes people on journeys and I know this will be a good journey.
You've now got more than 1,000 followers on Twitter. What are
the best and worst things about being a tweeting footballer?
Best thing is the banter, but the worst is when you say something and it gets twisted. You have to watch what you say.
Who's the best manager you've worked under?
Probably Steve King [at Farnborough]. He got me scoring from a number of different positions and let me express myself and enjoy football.
How do you look back on this particular incident? [see below, Bubb is wearing 7] Have you been involved in anything as bizarre, before or since?
Nah, I've never been involved in something like that. It was funny. I'm just happy that I scored the penalty - it just crept in.
Is there less pressure on you when you're a loan player?
Nah, not really, because I want to prove a point to everyone.
What sort of player should Woking fans expect to see?
Strong, quick, hopefully a goalscorer.
Who are the best players you've played with and against?
I'd say Dean McDonald - he used to do unbelievable things - and Daryl McMahon [both former Farnborough team-mates]. Against, there's been a lot of players, I can't pick one.
What music do you listen to just before a game to get you in the mood?
I like a bit of house music or rap.
Finally, what are your hopes and dreams for this season - for you individually and for your club(s)?
To get double figures and to help Woking win the league. It would be massive for the club.
Dartford may be sailing into unchartered waters as they prepare for a maiden campaign in Blue Square Bet Premier, but for defender Adam Green, this is more familiar territory. Green played in non-league's top division for Grays Athletic, Woking and Hayes & Yeading before taking what some perceived to be a downward step when he signed with the Darts in July 2011.
However, semi-professional football has offered the 28-year-old another chance to rub shoulders with the big boys of the Conference, following Dartford's promotion via the Blue Square Bet South play-offs. Green's contribution to the historic season included seven goals and he was one of nine players to accept manager Tony Burman's offer of a new contract at Princes Park.
What's your earliest memory of football?
Going to watch Brentford v Liverpool when I was five years old. I was
standing on the terrace getting soaked. I asked Neil Ruddock for his autograph and he took me up the tunnel to keep dry #topman
You're a relative newcomer to Twitter. What took you so long and what / who persuaded you to get involved?
A lot of the boys at Dartford are on Twitter. Hayzie [Ryan Hayes] doesn't take 'no' for an
answer, so I buckled! I've not been on it long, but it's a good way to catch up with people.
Whose results do you look out for on a Saturday evening?
To be honest, I look through all the leagues to see how my mates have got on and to see if they have scored.
What's the best game you've ever played in?
Quarter-final of the FA Cup v Manchester United at Old Trafford #68,000 #greatmemories
You joined Dartford a year ago and now you're back in Blue Square Bet Premier. Do you feel your decision has been vindicated?
I joined Dartford as I wanted to go part-time. To get promoted straight
away was a great achievement and the club is staying part-time which suits me. Without a doubt, Dartford is the biggest part-time club in non-league and I'm very proud to be part of it. #greatclub#greatfans
You've been in this division before. Will that help you, and what should your team-mates expect?
I think my experience will definitely help me. It's a great league with
so many great players and clubs. It's a big step up but the boys are ready for the challenge.
What is your ultimate pre-match food?
Chicken and chorizo pasta bake, wedges on the side with a BBQ dip! #can'tgowrong
Who is the changing-room DJ at Dartford and what music gets played before kick-off?
[Tom] Bonner occasionally gets a bit of stick but does a good job. He even brings his own Bose speakers in!
The largest chunk of your career - to date - has been spent with Hayes & Yeading. Were you sad to see them get relegated?
I really enjoyed my time at Hayes. It's a very friendly club with great
staff and loyal fans. Was a shame to see them get relegated.
What's the first thing you would change if you took over from Sepp Blatter as the president of FIFA?
To make a Super League!
Who are the best players you've played with and against?
I'm going to try not to name drop!
With - Edwin van der Sar, Louis Saha, Aaron McLean, Andy Cole, Darren Pratley, Zesh Rehman, Michael Kightly. Against - Ronaldo, Rooney, Totti, Scholes, Van Nistelrooy.
As you mentioned, Dartford are staying part-time. What do you do for work and how do you
think the longer away trips will affect that part of your life?
I'm a telecommunications engineer. I'm lucky to have a very understanding boss so it's not going to affect me at all.
Of all your team-mates, past and present, who is / was the joker, hard
man, most skilful and worst dressed?
Joker - Hayzie and Burnsey [Lee Burns] #nightmaretogether
Hard man - Jamie Hand and Adam Bygrave #loveatackle
Most skilful - Louis Saha #legend Worst dressed - Bonner, sorry mate but I'm not sure about some of your jumpers!
Who are your best friends in football?
I've made a lot of friends in football and stayed in contact with many
of them. Even friends I made from my youth team days. The team spirit at Dartford is something special though.
What memories do you have of your time with Woking? And what about being with Fulham as a youngster?
I had a great time at Woking with a great bunch of lads. A big club that
deserves to be in the Conference. I was very spoilt at Fulham and I have so many great memories. In the seven years I was there, my highlight would be making my Premiership debut.
Away from football, there's lots of good sport at the moment. Which of the Olympics, The Open Championship and/or the Tour de France take your fancy?
The Olympics! The cycling is going straight past my house so we'll get the flags out!
