by Nick Lough
A DECADE at the top with Tottenham Hotspur brought more than a young lad from Northallerton in North Yorkshire could ever have dreamt of in football – but leading Hull City back to the Premier League could potentially beat it all in Michael Dawson's eyes.
“I don't want play-offs, for starters. I want automatic!” chuckled the Hull skipper as he laughed off the question of whether a play-off final would suit him following Tuesday's hard-fought 0-0 draw against Brighton.
A cult hero at White Hart Lane, despite heralding from the Great North, it's fair to say centre-back Dawson has had his fair share of memorable moments on the pitch – for both club and country.
“My England debut was a special night for me, especially as it was at Wembley when I came on against Hungary,” he recalls.
“The pride you feel pulling on that white jersey is indescribable. You feel the full spectrum of emotions as you enter the field.
“I have to put in AC Milan away when we won there with Spurs, too, as well as going to the Bernabeu and playing Real Madrid – albeit going down to ten men in the first half after Peter Crouch got sent off and we lost 4-0!
“The latter was certainly a bitter one to take, but a huge experience to play in one of the biggest and best stadiums in Europe against the most successful football club there's ever been.”
The 32-year-old, who started his career with Nottingham Forest, has featured in some gargantuan matches, but redemption is on the defender's mind as he looks to right the wrongs of last season and lead the roaring Tigers back to the big time.
“I've had some great nights and great achievements, but the way I felt last year when we got relegated was as low as I have ever been from a playing point of view,” he admitted.
“To lead a team back to the Premier League would certainly be one of the biggest achievements of my career.
“Moments like finishing in the top four with Spurs at Man City were great, but let me tell you that this one right now, to get back to the Premier League, would be a special, special day.
“Hopefully, we can do it as a group, including the owners who have stuck by us all and given us the chance to get back to where we belong.”
Ahead of the weekend, Dawson was enjoying sitting top of the table as the chasing pack looked to unseat them – and he believes their experienced squad may give them the edge in the latter stages of the season.
“I do believe the fact our side is full of former Premier League plays a big part in our push to get back to where we should be,” he said. “I've always said that, with what we've got in that dressing room, if we stick together and keep performing we'll succeed in this division.
“There are 15 games left, so there's still a long way to go. The Championship is gruelling and I'm sure we will drop points along the way, just like other teams will, but it's about keeping our focus and not getting too disheartened when we do lose.
“We'll take it game by game, rather than looking ahead and guessing how many points we'll need.”
Michael isn't the only Dawson to be enjoying a fine run of form, with older brother Andy, 37, revelling in his role as joint caretaker-manager of League One side Scunthorpe United.
With Dawson Jr hoping his brother can come up with the goods, to ensure his hat is thrown into the ring for the full-time job, the Hull captain admits he may not be too far behind, having completed his UEFA B Licence last year.
“I'm delighted for him as that's four wins out of four now (after Tuesday's 2-0 win at Millwall), and I'd love to see him given a chance at the job,” he said.
“He and Nicky Daws are doing a stellar job in charge and the players are playing for him. If they keep winning and make it five out of five, then six out of six, he has to have a real shout for the job!
“I love playing, but people ask me whether I want to go into coaching. At this moment in time, I'd say ‘yeah, I really think I do'. However, I'm still focused on playing for a few more years.
“I think, as a manager, I'd take a little bit from all the gaffers I've worked under – people like Harry Redknapp and (current Hull boss) Steve Bruce.
“However, I think you have to be your own man and play the way you believe in playing. You've also got to fit it around the players you have.”
But, for now, Dawson is concentrating on Hull's title challenge – and is hoping former club Spurs can make it a double by claiming the Premier League crown.
Having moved to the KC Stadium for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £3.5m, back in August 2014, Dawson has watched with interest as Mauricio Pochettino has put together a young team fighting for the Premier League title.
They say you never win anything with kids? Well, Dawson certainly doesn't believe that for one moment as he tips his former side to claim the title.
He added: “I see journalists write about whether Spurs can win the league with a young squad. Of course they can!
“You can only get experience by playing and competing.
“You improve if you play in the Champions League and big tournaments. You don't if you don't play”
Next season, he wants to be playing against them.
*This article was originally published in The FLP on 21 February 2016.
