For the first time in years Kazim has been called back again by the Turkish national football team and for that occasion I would like to share with our readers again with the interview that I did with him back in 2010 when he was on-loan at Toulouse for my old website SuperLigNews.com:
Who was your best friend at Fener?
CKR: It
would be wrong to just single out one person. It is known that I quickly became
especially close with Kezman, Stephen Appiah and Roberto Carlos. What is not so
well known is that I was good friends with everyone. Emre always helped me,
he'd lived in England, played in the premiership he understood my game and my
character. Emre looked to guide me. Volkan is my good friend too we just get
on, I did a Michael Jackson dance at his birthday celebrations. Mehmet Topuz
and I share a crazy interest in dogs and were always teasing each other and it
may surprise some to hear (as I said in my review of my year -
http://www.kazimrichards.com/Inside/KazimRichards_eng.pdf)Gökhan Gönül is
a good friend, he brought me back a basketball uniform from his trip in the
winter break.
That was very important to me. I
was out of the team and training on my own at the time. It was a special
gesture. Look at the way we played together and fought for each other in the
games we played together this season. When you have harmony like that on the pitch,
it can only continue off of it.
What was
your favorite moment at Fenerbahce?
CKR: Every game you win at Fener is fantastic. But my best moment has to be the derby against Galatasaray at Kadikoy this season. Once again I ask you to read the document on my website (http://www.kazimrichards.com/Inside/KazimRichards_eng.pdf) - that whole day was incredible. My friends and family came out. Dwayne Chambers and Christian Malcolm two world class athletes for Great Britain were guest in my home and at the match.
CKR: Every game you win at Fener is fantastic. But my best moment has to be the derby against Galatasaray at Kadikoy this season. Once again I ask you to read the document on my website (http://www.kazimrichards.com/Inside/KazimRichards_eng.pdf) - that whole day was incredible. My friends and family came out. Dwayne Chambers and Christian Malcolm two world class athletes for Great Britain were guest in my home and at the match.
From the
first minute I stepped out on the pitch it was electric. I Ole'd and danced
with the crowd in the warm up. The war with Hakan, Gökhan Zan and Sevet
(my friends from the National Team) was exhilarating. Can I add that the battle
was fierce we fought and we fell but we never once looked to the ref to put
each other trouble. We fought honourably. Right up to the 72nd minute when I
left the field with goosebumps to a standing ovation.
That is my best moment at Fenerbahce and no-one will take that away from
me. It was the last time I played at Kadikoy, but at least I was king for a
day.
Manager
Cristoph Daum said that you asked to leave the team, is that true? If yes,
then what was the reason?
Colin-Kazim Richards: I am not in a position to answer
that question right now. I have answered questions about that situation many
times before. I have not seen were Mr Daumn has said that. I would be very
surprised if it was said. But you can refer to my website and check out my
review of the year (http://www.kazimrichards.com/Inside/KazimRichards_eng.pdf).
You will see I stated that after the Galataseray game I would of signed a new
contract in the dressing room that evening.
Do you think of rejoining Fenerbahce at the end of the season, or will you stay at Toulouse for good?
CKR: Right now I only think of Toulouse it would be wrong to be thinking of anything else. What happens at the end of the season will not be strictly be up to me.
If you got an offer from another Turkish team, would you consider a move?
Do you think of rejoining Fenerbahce at the end of the season, or will you stay at Toulouse for good?
CKR: Right now I only think of Toulouse it would be wrong to be thinking of anything else. What happens at the end of the season will not be strictly be up to me.
If you got an offer from another Turkish team, would you consider a move?
CKR: As I said right now I only think of Toulouse. I
don’t think of anything else
Did you make any friends at Toulouse?
Yes everyone. We are all youngsters the oldest player in our team against PSG was 27 I think. We all get on very well.
Toulouse is a very multi cultural place and team. We all accept respect and and enjoy our individual and cultural differences. On and off the pitch we are all equal
Are French fans as passionate as Turkish fans in football?
There are no fans in the world as passionate as Turkish fans. I have said that since my first visit to Turkey and I've not seen anything anywhere not just France to change my mind on that.
French fans are split between Rugby and football. There are elements of fanaticism in both sets of supporters. The one thing I will say about the French is that they understand their sports and sportsman very well.
Yes everyone. We are all youngsters the oldest player in our team against PSG was 27 I think. We all get on very well.
Toulouse is a very multi cultural place and team. We all accept respect and and enjoy our individual and cultural differences. On and off the pitch we are all equal
Are French fans as passionate as Turkish fans in football?
There are no fans in the world as passionate as Turkish fans. I have said that since my first visit to Turkey and I've not seen anything anywhere not just France to change my mind on that.
French fans are split between Rugby and football. There are elements of fanaticism in both sets of supporters. The one thing I will say about the French is that they understand their sports and sportsman very well.
What are your and Toulouse's targets for this season?
They are one and the same. To attain as higher league position as possible and play as well as we can doing so. Qualifying for Europe would also be fantastic
Do you think you will be called up by Guus Hiddink for the Euro 12
qualifiers?
It is really not my place to think that. Every single person of Turkish nationality even those who don't play wants to represent Turkey. I will be trying to do my best at club level. If I am selected it will be an incredible honour. As it is every time I'm selected
Kez was and is a fantastic friend to me. We met recently at the PSG v Toulouse game. Both he and Mevlut complimented me on my performance and physical condition, more so given my recent time away from the game. Their comments are very important to me. Not just because they were good. If the comments were not good I would of observed them just as much. It was because they were made to help guide and encourage me.
No one is beyond criticism everyone can learn from everyone else.
But yes. I never realised how much Kez leaving affected me until much after. Both he and Appiah understood my local English. Kez took me in straight away into his home as part of his family his wife and beautiful children were also the same his kids became like my little brother and sister. We also both loved tattoos, but I think that is evident to all who know us. When he left it was kinda like when you lose someone and you go through the immediate process of starting to get on with things. Then when your instincts or emotions draw you to that person for advice or solace that you realise how much you need and miss them. As I said he still a big big friend. It took the first six months for me to acclimatise at least on the pitch (some will say I never did so off of it). Then just as I started to get used to everything Kez, Appy (Stephan Appiah), and the legendary Zico (who all mentored me) were suddenly no longer around. They were all massive influences on me in my first season and still are. To basically lose them all at the same time was very difficult for me. However I will continue to strive to be the best. That is what I set out to be. Aside my football I've learnt to speak Turkish and Brazilian at Fenerbahce. I am now trying to come to terms with French. Not so bad for a lad from the back streets of east London. So once again I ask you to keep Daring to Dream. Because if you believe that you that you Can then you Could. But if you believe that you Can't, then you Won’t
ALWAYS BELIEVE IN YOUR DREAMS.
