Were You Any Good At Football When Young ?

[Billy Dean]

The manager of my school football team was ex-England Schoolboys manager and is now in charge of Charlton Athletic's academy. He told me I was too lazy to be a professional footballer - he didn't say I wasn't good enough

Enjoyed my football in my youth. Was lucky enough to play in some good teams and won a few trophies. High points were probably being the first ever team from our school to win the county cup at U15 level. We beat Gareth Barry's school in the final. Another one was playing in Union Berlin's stadium at U11 and U12 for my sunday team.

Lows were probably getting county trials at U12 and U18 and getting played out of position in both trials.

 

[tmgc]

I was that bad Steve Walsh had me scouted.

 

[PKwalnuts]

I was Claude Makelele before it was a figure of speech. Decent, or so I was told lots of times. Could have made it but stayed loyal to poor team, limited training and no real coaching. My best memories as a kid are all from playing footie. Would love to go back to them times. Had a footballing brain, great touch both feet, lacked pace and height, was a hard tackler, good at intercepting and reading the game and great vision, Could put it on a 6pence. Assisted more than I scored 10 fold, but Scored a few. Despite all this someone a year above me made it, played in the Prem for a season or 2 and he was a standout in his league. I was about 80% of his ability, the naturally gifted ones are few and far between.

 

[Billy Dean]

Stopped playing organised footy when I started university. In my mid-20s I dabbled with pub football. Played 4 games. Turned up to 2 games sober and got MOTM in both games. Turned up to the other 2 hungover as fook, stunk the first one out completely, second one I was so badly hungover I was sick on the pitch and subbed myself off after 10 minutes. That was the last 11 a side match I ever played

 

[roydo]

I wasnt that good at footie, like keepie uppies or being that skilful. But for some weird reason I was very good a reading a game, and making tackles and defensive headers. At fullback, few wingers got a cross in, and in what is now called a DM, could just watch the game and stop stuff happening, then give the ball to a good baller.

 

[alwaysblue]

Wasn't bad back in the day. Never took my chance to 'make it'. Was a LB until I had a growth spurt then flitted between CB and LB. Played at a not bad adult level after I was released with some excellent players (my CB partner at one club went on to represent Wales). Then moved into midfield and centre forward in my early 20s. The higher the standard the further back I went. Had to stop playing at 35 due to arthritis after a longstanding injury. Now can't run ever again which I'm still very bitter about, been nearly 15 years so you'd think I should get over it.

The one thing I never liked about playing football was the total change of personality I had when I crossed the line. It was a win at all costs mentality, by hook or by crook.

Every other sport I played I was a complete gent.