Echosport's MATT PITMAN speaks exclusively to former Arsenal and England skipper TONY ADAMS who was guest at Weymouth's gala sporting dinner this week

Q You've been friends with Ian Ridley for a number of years and worked with him on your autobiography, Addicted. Were you surprised when he said he wanted to become Weymouth chairman?

A I've known Ian for eight years and he is as passionate as anyone could be about the Terras. I remember him asking me what I thought about him trying to become chairman earlier this year.

He had pretty much spent all his life as a journalist and football writer and that was the field he knew best.

So I just turned to him and said "Don't bother". He is a very honest man with Weymouth at heart but I said he shouldn't go anywhere near it.

It takes a brave man to want to be chairman of a football club because there are so many pitfalls.

But Ian is very courageous and chose to ignore my advice. In hindsight, it is a good job he did.

Q What has your involvement been in helping Ian before or since he became chairman?

AIan called in our friendship and used me as a sounding board for a lot of the ideas he had. What has to be remembered is that he had, and still has, a good career as a football writer and he could have hid behind his pen for a few more years. But he's put his money and skills where his mouth is and Weymouth are a better club for it.

QIan spent a long time recruiting a new manager in the summer. Did he offer you the job before Steve Claridge was appointed?

ATo be honest, our discussions never really went down those lines. I was at a time in my life where I wasn't completely ready to get back into the game on a full-time basis. Obviously that's since changed.

QDuring all those successful years marshalling the Arsenal defence, you must have come up against Steve Claridge a few times?

ASteve has always been one of those players who really wears his heart on his sleeve and gives everything. Luckily he played us at a time when we were a strong side and didn't give too much away.

Ian picked my brains on a few things in the summer but as soon as Steve became interested, there was only ever going to be one man who was right for the Terras.

Steve is very enthusiastic and has a real love of the game and I'm sure Weymouth are going places under him.

The fact he is still banging the goals in is another bonus both for him and Weymouth who are effectively getting a manager and a fantastic striker for the price of one.

It may seem strange saying this but lots of people in football don't actually like the game. Steve and Ian have a huge passion for it.

QA few eyebrows were raised when you took the manager's job at Wycombe Wanderers a few weeks back, which is your first managerial appointment. What made that job the right one for you to return to the game?

AI'm really enjoying this job. I can improve my skills in all aspects of running a club which I'm sure is the case with Steve as well.

I wanted to learn the ropes at a club where I can be involved in every area of the day-to-day running.

It's certainly a big challenge and there is a lot of work to do if we are to haul ourselves away from the bottom of the Second Division.

But effectively being the coach, bottle washer and kitman is something that will help me immensely.

QGiven you were an unpaid football consultant with Weymouth before you took the Wycombe job, are you planning to work with Ian and Steve in the future?

AI've said to Ian, I'll be looking at any promising players Weymouth have and that I'm happy for any players that need regular football to go down there.

Weymouth are flying as a club at the moment and anything I can do to help in the future I certainly will.

Mind you, the way things are at the moment I don't think Weymouth need any of our players.