Back to my roots - David Seaman
Dan Pope, Club Website Editor
David Seaman is one the most successful goalkeepers of his generation. As an Arsenal and England stalwart for years, many of his finest career moments came on the hallowed turf at Wembley, where he will be returning this weekend as part of Soccer Aid 2008.
Taking a break from Soccer Aid training yesterday, the England keeper spoke to Club Website. In the latest in our series of interviews with professional players, we took him back to his roots to find out about his experiences as a young footballer in Yorkshire and the start of his football journey. |
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DP: “So, first of all, who did you play for as a lad?”
DS: “I played for my school side which was Ferham. That was my at junior side and then my senior school was Kimberworth Comprehensive. I also played for a Sunday League side called Red Scorpions from around the age of 13, and obviously my county and my town, Rotherham Boys.”
DP: “When you think back to those days and playing grassroots football, what comes to mind?”
DS: “Dodgy pitches! [laughs] That’s what it was like. We just used to play football all the time. We didn’t have all the other stuff, the electronic games and stuff like that out then. I’m talking 30 years ago! Whatever sport there was at that time, whether it be tennis, cricket, football, we played all the time.
“I remember playing at a place called Ferham Park… and that was an experience! It was more like playing dodge the dog muck.”
DP: “Not quite like playing at Wembley then?”
DS: “Exactly! [laughs] The groundsman’s stopped that at Wembley!”
DP: “What age were you when you first moved to a professional club? That was Leeds wasn’t it?”
DS: “Yeah I was 16. I left school early. I left school on the Friday and started with Leeds on the Monday. That’s how quick my transformation to football was. I had a two-year apprenticeship at Leeds and then a year as a pro and then I got told I wasn’t good enough, when I was 19.”
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DP: “How did you take it when you were told?”
DS: “I was gutted. You know, ‘cos Leeds was my team as well. I’ve always supported Leeds. I can remember it was Eddie Gray. To be told by him that I you’re not good enough, I was devastated. I went home, I was crying and everything ‘cos I didn’t know what I was going to do. I’d not got any qualifications. I’d left school early ‘cos I’d been totally focussed on football.
“I had a week of not knowing what to do with myself career-wise and then I got a call from Peterborough. I didn’t even know where Peterborough was! I went down there, straight into their first team and was there for two years." |
DP: “From our younger readers’ point of view, if they have ambitions to make it as a footballer and still haven’t by the age of 15 or 16, would you say it’s still not too late for them?”
DS: “No, it’s not too late at all. A good friend of mine, Lee Dixon, he got released twice. You’ve always got to believe that you can do it, but you’ve got to give it your best shot. You’ve got to be really dedicated to the hours, to the training. As boring as some of the training is, you have got to do it!”
DP: “What is your one outstanding memory from your younger days?”
DS: “Well my worst memory is my first ever game for my junior school I let in 12 goals in one half.”
DP: “12 goals in one half... David Seaman? There’s hope for everybody! All of our budding young goalkeepers, don’t despair!”
DS: “Exactly! [laughs]”
DP: “What do you think the biggest difference is between the game when you were a kid and the game these days?”
DS: “The game has changed massively. Everybody is so much fitter these days... and obviously richer! [chuckles] The condition of the players is a lot better now, and the game is so much faster.”
DP: “If you were 16 today do you think you would still have the same chance of making it as a pro?”
DS: “Yeah, ‘cos I wasn’t too bad. I used to do a lot of other sports as well, so I was pretty fit as a 16 year-old.”
DP: “What’s the best piece of advice you received as a young footballer?”
DS: “Just to dedicate yourself to football. I’d always wanted to be a goalkeeper. I never wanted to be a striker or something like that. Nowadays, I get a lot of kids saying “I play in goal, but sometimes I like to play centre forward.” I think you’ve got to stick to the position that you want to play in.”
DP: "Is that the same advice you’d give to kids these days? |
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DS: “Definitely. Stick to the position that you’re best at or the one you like the most and then just give it as much as you can. You might not get another chance. I was lucky… I did.”
DP: “Just a couple of questions on football in general. If you were in Brian Barwick’s shoes for the day and you could change one thing to improve the game in this country, from the grassroots right up to the England side, what would you do?”
DS: “Ooh, that’s a tough one. I’d try to make more soccer schools available, even for kids that aren’t with clubs. I know that lots of kids are snapped up by clubs at a really young age, but there might be the odd few that get through the net. So it’s just about trying to make as much football available as possible, but with good conditions.”
DP: “So the more football that people are able to play, the more likely it is we’ll pick up the cream of the talent?”
DS: “Exactly."
DP: "And if you could change one rule in football?”
DS: “Off-side! I’d put a line between the half-way line and the goal line, so there’s an area that you can’t be off-side in. There’s nothing worse than someone being caught offside a foot into their opponent's half.”
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DP: “Interesting. I’ve not heard that one before! Good stuff. Moving on to Soccer Aid now, obviously some of your greatest moments as a player were at the old Wembley. Are you still getting a buzz from going back to appear at the new one?”
DS: “I can’t wait. I went to the first FA Cup final there and I’ve been on the pitch when it’s been empty. I just can’t wait to play on it now. That’s my biggest buzz – I’m actually going to play on the new Wembley! Since I’ve retired I’ve played at the Emirates for Dennis Bergkamp’s testimonial, but this is a great opportunity to actually play at Wembley.” |
DP: “So you’re glad to be involved in Soccer Aid this year.”
DS: “Yeah. I was involved in the first one at Old Trafford and that was a great night.”
DP: “Most of our readers will be aware of the event as we’ve featured it on our website, but for those who haven’t, it’s a fundraising event for UNICEF and the big game is on Sunday night?”
DS: “Yeah. It’s England versus The Rest of the World and it's a combination of ex-pros and celebrities.”
DP: “So who are the players to look out for in your team and the opposition?”
DS: “It’s my first day today so I’ve not seen the opposition yet. But in our side, Jonny Wilkes and Ben Shepherd are both good players. Chris Fountain is a good player as well. We’ve also got a few of my skating partners [from ITV’s ‘Dancing On Ice’], Gareth Gates and Kyran Bracken, they are here.”
DP: “Has the ice skating training helped those guys?”
DS: “I don’t know – you’d better ask them! [laughs] I’ve not seen them play yet, so I’ll let you know!”
DP: “Thanks a lot David. Enjoy the day!”
DS: “Cheers!” |
