NAME -
Dave Waller

BIRTHPLACE -
Edmonton, North London

PREVIOUS CLUBS -
My football prowess was hidden for many years as I was mainly a swimmer and water polo player. Although I did turn out for Latimer Old Boys. I have been a member of Swimming and Water Polo Clubs since the age of 8 through competing and coaching. I broke my shoulder in 2015 which put paid to swimming and polo.

CHILDHOOD CRUSH -
Pan’s People - all of them!

FAVOURITE PROFESSIONAL PLAYER OF ALL TIME -
Jimmy Greaves when he played for Spurs under Bill Nicholson.

FAVOURITE ODIAXERE CLUB PLAYER -
Bill as he is calm and dependable and doesn’t argue with the ref.

MOST DIFFICULT ODIAXERE CLUB OPPONENT -
Colin the goalkeeper and Big Rog. Not easy to get past those two.

MOST MEMORABLE MATCH -
World Cup Final 1966. Pre-pub viewing we all went round to Uncle Sid’s and watched it on his new little black and white TV. 8 of us crowded into his living room, great atmosphere. I remember my mum and the other women went to Bingo!

BIGGEST THRILL -
Watching my son walk out into the Water Polo Arena in his GB kit at London 2012 Olympics. They got thrashed, but I was so proud of Jack for the years of hard work and dedication he put in to getting selected. Not to mention the financial investment from his old man! Those two weeks in London being part of Nearest and Dearest VIPs at Olympics was the best experience of our lives. London put on a great Games.
Personal highlight would be going to Water Polo World Masters in San Francisco in 2008. A bunch of us old players, some I had known most of my life, got together to play in the 50-55 Age Group under Brisbane Barracudas. We won - World Champions!

JOHN LENNON OR PAUL MCARTNEY -
McCartney, see him occasionally in Rye as he has a farm in Peasmarsh. He seems a nice guy and chats to everyone.

OASIS OR BLUR -
Neither, Beach Boys.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT - When I was about 17 I swam for GB at an International at Crystal Palace against USA, Germany and Holland. I was no 1 in 200m breaststroke at the time but David Wilkie beat me, he was favourite in 100m but I beat him. At the meet he was offered a swim scholarship in America and the rest is history. Meeting Mark Spitz was a highlight though. Close runner up was missing Edinburgh Commonwealth Games by 100th of a second.

BEST COUNTRY VISITED -
New Zealand for its charm and scenery and lifestyle. Best holiday was Rocky Mountaineer from Calgary to Vancouver, then Alaskan cruise.

FAVOURITE FOOD -
Sausage Toad, mash, onion gravy and baked beans. With Jam Roly Poly for pudding. I loved School Dinners!

FAVOURITE PORTUGUESE FOOD - The couvert at Aquario in Luz, followed by swordfish steak and chips.

FAVOURITE DRINK -
Cup of tea, 4 minute brew, not stirred, milk first, no sugar. I’m teetotal now after getting gout from too much alcohol in my water polo days.

MISCELLANEOUS LIKES -
Portugal, Touring in a Motorhome, Custard Creams, Watching Brighton trying to keep in the Premiership

MISCELLANEOUS DISLIKES -
Pickle, piccalilli, guerkins, Wearing a tie, TV Soaps, computers that don’t do what I want them to.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW- MASH
FAVOURITE FILM -
Hook with Robin Williams, makes me cry every time!

FAVOURITE SINGER - Rod Stewart, any of the crooners, Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble etc.

FAVOURITE ACTOR -
Tom Hanks

BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON CAREER
My Dad for his support and commitment to me and my brother in sport and in life in general and for his work ethic.

BIGGEST DRAG IN SOCCER -
Goal scoring celebrations.

WHAT ONE ITEM WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU TO A DESERT ISLAND -
The wife, I’ll need someone to cook, clean and generally look after me. Second to that would be a good toolkit, so I can build myself a house.

WHICH PERSON IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO MEET
Pierluigi Collina, I’d like to know who his barber is and ask him his advice on how I get John to stop running.