Issue 200

Page 24

22 FEATURE INTERVIEW

WATERFRONT 200- 07/03/11

LEON BRITTON: GROWING UP WITH SWANSEA CITY By Sports Editor Ben Donovan sport@waterfrontonline.co.uk X +

+ $ “In my opinion he’s got to be the ^ ? $ %

and motivator and he gets the best out of players.� But Britton has no regrets from his ? decision to move to pastures new in South Wales. “I was 20 years old when I decided ! @ right age for me. I wanted to get out and

+ 8 ) X $‚ ] ? Development School at Lilleshall, and was a year behind Liverpool and ? | `

himself came through the well regarded @ $ Ironically, Cole was one of the WELCOME BACK: Leon makes spectacular return to Swans after just 7 months away ? 8 )

# ž squad at the World Cup in South Africa

8 X + another of his former clubs, Wigan Athletic. %) 8 +

$ @ + + + ! ? ) understand why he went there and they’re a Premiership team.� @ ! ^ 7 @ ! through the 2002/2003 season must have proved a stark awakening

+ ! Leon on Harry Redknapp struggling near the bottom of Division Three. “It was a little bit of a shock. %# + )

^ $ ] ) ^ Š !

X

+ ) $‚ Back then, Swansea were playing their games at the famous Vetch performances, much has been said about the coaching of ?

_ + + order for our national team to compete with the likes of Spain + ! _ + memories of a ground which has seen many fantastic games down the and the Netherlands. With Leon himself being a considerably adept technical years. “I have a couple of great memories of the place, like when I made player, I asked him whether he thinks the powers that be need + to revamp the coaching structure in our national game. %) 8 ‚ ] $ %” ! # 9Z + $‚ But Britton believes the place still holds strong memories for many to look at the teams that are doing well now such as Barcelona and Spain and I think the FA now needs to look at the best way people. Both he and Alan Tate paid a recent visit to the old ground, ! + to coach the youngsters at youth and grassroots level. “Ten years ago it was all about pace and power and people to have played at both the Vetch Field and the Liberty Stadium. “It was a strange feeling being back there having spent three seasons were saying you had to be big and strong, whereas now the game has changed; it’s become a lot more technical and tactical and X +

+ ! ! moving to the Liberty Stadium has helped us a lot. you need to be able to pass the ball well and keep possession.� “We went into the changing rooms and walked about behind the It is that word, possession, which is typical of the way that $ & ! scenes but it was a strange feeling because it’s derelict, its run down and key role in a Swansea side that has won a string of superlatives seeing it like that when you have so many good memories of it being so busy and bustling is quite sad really.� ]

` " + # ž

] day of the 2002/2003 season, that will be remembered fondly by all early part of his career in South Wales. %4 " +

Â&#x; ! $ Swansea fans. The club had to win to secure their Football League status ” ^ + and avoid the prospect of dropping into non-league. Britton, along with Alan Tate, are the only two players from that + ) $

! ^ game that are part of the current Swansea squad. Leon can remember

^ ! HAPPY MEMORIES: Leon celebrates avoiding relegation in he taught me a lot.� @ ! that unfolded that day.

For some footballers, the love of a particular club or city is like a magnet 8 ^ Swansea City and Leon Britton. ) | + 9� return to Swansea following an ill-fated spell at Championship rivals { $ But if Swansea were to clinch promotion to the Premier League this season it would have deep and meaningful pride for someone who has ! << + + ! during his two spells in South Wales. “It would mean an awful lot to have been at the club when we were

+ 4 would be a massive achievement for everyone involved at the club,� he said. Born in South London, Britton began his career as a trainee at Arsenal when the Gunners made the transition from the George Graham era to the much coveted reign of current boss Arsene Wenger, and Leon

^ + $ “My last two years there from the age of 14 to 16,� he said. “Wenger was the manager but I didn’t have too many dealings with him because I was only a schoolboy. “But even then you could see what he was doing when he was bringing in lads from abroad at a young age and that was one of my reasons for leaving because I thought I would have more opportunity at another club.� { ! + ^ 8

{ 4 X @ Âœ¤<< <<< _ ZÂĄ _ " $ % $ % playing well he would let you know and make you feel like you were the best player on the pitch.â€? There have since been calls for the popular boss to be ^ ? ] adamant about who he thinks should take on the biggest

“

In my opinion he’s got to be the next England manager� -

2003 with former player and manager Roberto Martinez

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