ML: I look upon the Canberra Cosmos as being the international team of the area, in as much as players play for Everton or Liverpool, and teams should be proud to have players selected for the Cosmos who are representing the ACT and the surrounding areas. With this in mind, the captivity is not just around Canberra , but spread to places like Goulburn and Wagga Wagga and we are looking for centres of excellence all over the areas which we are covering.

My first objective is to be able to train the best youngsters from all the sides in Canberra. An example would be to put together the best 12 year olds from each team, so that they can stay together in the long term. If the best train together they will become better.

This would carry on through for all ages. There would be appointed local coaches to get involved and hence keep everyone together throughout the years.

Every training session I have invited coaches to come. I like people to be involved. The more involved the better. The Cosmos is not a closed shop. People in the city should know what's going on. I want this to be a community club.

NG: From what you have seen, what are your thoughts on the backing of the Canberra public for football?

ML: I think that from what I have seen, all the clubs are very keen on football. Juventus has a spectator who does cartwheels across the pitch when the team wins. Enthusiasm like that makes me feel I'm back home in Liverpool. To be honest, we have not had the coverage I would have expected but to be fair it is for us to warrant that coverage, but sometimes a little bit of enthusiasm for football would help.

NG: To improve on this, is there anything in the pipeline with regard to promotion, to help get the public more interested?

ML: It's our job to make sure that when the people come they get value for money. This in mind, I hope our matches would have a good atmosphere. There will be functions after the games and a number of promotions have been planned for during the games. We'd like to see a good family and social atmosphere.

NG: Looking more general to Australia, football in the senior ranks does not have the high profile as enjoyed by sports like Rugby Union, League and Australian Rules, yet it is the most popular sport amongst youngsters. What would be your suggestion to reverse this?

ML: Where I'm from in Liverpool, within 15 minutes, depending on how quick I drive, I can get to four Rugby League clubs - namely Wigan, St Helens, Widnes and Warrington. I have never ever had a desire to go to watch any of these games but since I've been in Australia, the support, advertising and enthusiasm for League on the television and in the papers makes me feel as if I'm missing out. I'm sure I will become a confirmed Raiders fan because everything about the advertising is enthusiasm and fun and they build the characters from within the game. Whoever thought of the Tina Turner advert should be knighted for services to Rugby League.

The beauty of Rugby League is that they are all Australians who play it. The problem with football is that everyone wants to retain their nationality. So, bearing this in mind, I would like to see a massive advertising campaign on television showing five or six Australian national players, all originally descended from different countries saying "Hi, I'm Joe Bloggs, and I'm proud to play for Australia".

For the younger level, everybody needs a hero, so there is a need for a higher profile for players. The Cosmos need to fulfil this role. It's no coincidence when Seb Coe and Steve Cram were winning everything in middle-distance athletics that everybody wanted to become a miler. My hero was a boy called Jimmy Gabriel who played for Everton and so much so I had my confirmation named called James. It's healthy to have heroes.