Our Terrace Laureate David Bryant recently chatted to Matt Everitt to find out a little more about Matt aside from his football.
When you aren’t out on the pitch laying waste to the opposition, what do you do for a job?
I’m currently coaching at Brighton and Hove Albion’s Academy – I’m predominantly with the under tens. I love it! I came through Brighton’s Academy, and I took my B licence when I was a pro there, so when I got released, they asked me if I wanted to go into coaching in the Academy. I’m now in my third season – I started at the same time I joined Leatherhead. I’m football seven days a week, but I love it!
Heaven forbid you weren’t playing for the Tanners on a Saturday afternoon, how would you be spending that time?
Well, with the injury, for the last year I’ve been living in the gym, rehabbing, trying to get my knee better and my legs in a good place. Saturdays have probably been the hardest days, knowing that you’re not a part of it, but assume I was playing week in, week out, and I wasn’t playing on a Saturday, then yeah, I’d probably just watch football. I do like going out for a coffee, so I’d probably be watching football, drinking coffee. Or Bovril – I like a cup of that when I’m at a game.
What would be your soundtrack?
Oh, great question. I like all sorts of music, but mostly different styles of indie rock. There’s a couple of Australian bands I really like at the moment called Royal Otis and Rum Jungle. Let me check my Spotify… Oh yeah, I’ve been really into my Latin American and Brazilian salsa tunes, but also Olivia Dean – she was a big hit for me this summer, and I actually went and saw her live. When I was out in the US, my housemate got me into country music. I come from a family that loves music – we were raised on the Eagles, Pink Floyd, bands like that. My brother is actually in a band – they’re called Tuco, after the character in ‘The Good, The Bad And The Ugly’. They’re good!
Who are your heroes (one football related, one from another sphere)?
In football, Lionel Messi – he made me fall in love with football and made me believe the game is easier than it is. Away from football, I have to say my mum – she’s been there every step of the way in my life, she’s a bit of a rock.
Highlight of your Tanners career?
It’s got to be the Kingstonian goal, hasn’t it? I mean, I’ve got some pretty cool football memories – I scored in the Under Seventeen European Championship for Ireland – but nothing beats a last-minute winner. The context as well, because it kept our playoff hopes alive. Unfortunately, I wasn’t there to play any part in last season’s promotion, so I’m sure if I had, that would have been my answer, but that Kingstonian goal does have a special place in my heart.
Obviously, as a Tanner, your footballing talent is a given, but away from the pitch, do you have any other talents?
I do like cooking, and I think I’m quite good at it. I live on a goat farm and we produce goat meat, and I do feel like I make a pretty mean goat burger. It sounds funky – it’s weird because it’s not beef – but baste it in butter, make some caramelised onions, whack that in a burger bun, add halloumi… I’d say that’s my signature dish. Anyone who has tried it loves it.
Is there a motto by which you live your life?
I’m a perfectionist, and it can get me into trouble, so I do have to come back and remind myself that “perfection doesn’t exist”. When I’m in my ‘best place’, I tell myself that not everything’s going to be perfect, but that’s okay. Once you do that, you take the pressure off yourself.
Have you ever had a paranormal experience?
As in like seeing ghosts or anything? (DB – “Yeah, ghosts, UFOs, cryptids, sea monsters…”). Oh my god, that’s really throwing me off! I feel like I have, but I guess I would remember it, right? Unless… unless the alien erased it from my memory? (DB <laughs and applauds>)
Have you ever had a Tanners Burger from the tea bar? It’s a seven-quid monolith with sausage, bacon, cheese and onions. If yes, what was it like? If no, what is your treat food of choice?
No, because it’s not one of my goat burgers.
