Boro starlet Josh Walker has captained the MFC youth team and England at every level up to U19s so there is no one better to give their views on what makes a good captain.
The midfielder engaged in a question and answer session with Year Six pupils from Middlesbrough's Captain Cook Primary School and Year Nine and Ten pupils from Ingleby Barwick's All Saints Secondary School as part of a ten-week literacy support programme with the Playing for Success initiative.
ComeOnBoro.com's Elle Brunton was there to take notes and snatched a few minutes with Boro's busiest midfielder.
After working with the children to determine which qualities they considered most important to being a captain, Walker answered questions from subjects as wide ranging as captaining England to Lionel Richie!
When asked about the best captains he has played both with and against, Walker is quick to praise his captain, saying: " I think Pogi deserves to be captain."
And against? "Barry Ferguson at Rangers when I was on loan at Aberdeen."
He also praised team mate Matthew Bates, saying: "He is one of the best defenders at the club and now he has proved he can do well in midfield. He deserves everything he is getting."
Playing for Success is in its eleventh year nationally and is recognised as one of the most successful out-of-hours learning projects in the Teesside area.
It uses the medium of football and other sports as motivational tools, and focuses on raising literacy, numeracy and ICT standards.
Centre Manager Martin Hedgley says: "Josh's visit will bring the literacy alive and adds purpose to the children's work. Having the players join in during an interactive session always helps raise the children's achievement and motivation to learn.
"All of the children have excelled themselves and should be proud of their achievements."
Walker explained to the children how he got into the game:
"When I was young, my dad was a footballer so I used to watch him. And with my friends, one of my favourite things to do was kick a ball around. I really enjoyed it. It is something I have always wanted to do."
He even admitted to supporting a certain rival team in his mis-spent youth...
"To be honest, when I was really young, being from Newcastle, I was a Newcastle supporter so I liked Andy Cole and Peter Beardsley. But when I got a bit older, it was Patrick Vieira, then Gerrard and Fabregas, people like that.
Captaining England at any level is a huge honour for any player and it is clear that Walker relished the opportunities he has been given:
"When I first got told I was going to be playing for England, I was really excited. Then to be told I was captain was something I wasn't expecting but I was delighted to be given it. It gives you a boost and makes you play better.
"I've captained the under 16s, 17s, 18s and then at the beginning of my time with the under 19s, I got injured and was out for four or five months. Another captain came in and did well so they kept him.
But playing for Boro is an equally thrilling prospect for any youth team player. Speaking about starting against Sunderland this season, Josh said:
"I was really excited and looking forward to the game as we always want to play against teams like Sunderland and Newcastle. I really enjoyed the game, it was something I will always remember."
Walker is also famous for scoring a wonder goal against Bayern Munich whilst on loan at Aberdeen.
"It was very weird really and something I have never experienced before. We got a draw and it made it all the more memorable.
"I got Lucic's, the centre half's shirt. I've got it in my bedroom on the wall!"
Walker does not lack an opinion and was happy to give the benefit of his experience to the children, explaining to them that playing against opposition who may be considerably better than you can help you in the future.
He said: "If you play with or against better players, it brings you on massively because you learn from them so they might be better than you the first time you play them but the next time they do certain things, maybe you can stop them.
"There was a player at Celtic, Aidan McGeady. He was really good. I played against him three times and I could never get near him! I didn't know who he was until I played against him.
"You stand off them and give them too much respect. It's a bad thing to do - you should get in their face."
Ultimately though, Walker just wants to play football.
"My most memorable moment so far? Getting my first start against Barrow. They are not a great team but it was my first opportunity here.
"I just want to play regularly for Middlesbrough and further on, I would like to play for my country. I just need to get in the team on a regular basis."
The children also wanted to know more personal nuggets of information such as who Walker's best friend at the club is.
"Probably Matthew Bates now. We get on really well and hang out outside the club as well. Everyone gets on with everyone really.
"It used to be a lad called Stephen Thomas who was on he books but he got dropped, and Bates was always with Cattermole and co.
"Andrew Taylor does the social events. He is in charge of arranging the Christmas parties. To be fair, he's quite good and every party we have been to has been good."
And what would they find if they raided his playlist?
"I like Akon. I like anything really, dance, R 'n' B, rap. I'll admit it, I don't think it's that bad I like Lionel Richie. I think he's alright.
"I just had him on in the car. I don't know the names of the songs I just like singing along!"
Behind his genial Geordie persona, Josh's determination is obvious. When asked how he returned to full fitness in just three weeks, the minimum time for his injury, his answer was simple: "Working with the physio every day, doing whatever they told me to do."
Walker is adamant that Boro will survive and states repeatedly that it is not an option to consider relegation.
But what about his team mates?
EB: Is that the way the rest of the team feel though, or do you think that some of them are not quite as positive? David Wheater was criticised recently for some of his comments regarding belief amongst the players.
JW: I don't know exactly what he said but I can tell you that everyone involved at the club, all the staff and every single player believes we can get out of it. I think it's a case of we will, not if. We have come out of a losing spell before.
EB: So you absolutely believe that Boro will turn things around and stay up this season?
JW: Of course I do. I wouldn't lie but I think we definitely will.
EB: You seem to have become something of a spokesperson for the club recently, speaking at community events, the supporters' club and particularly giving post match interviews. How are you handling the increased media attention?
JW: I enjoy it, it is not something that bothers me. I'm fine with it all to be honest.
EB: The fans have expressed a lot of frustration recently regarding performances and results. What to you think about that?
JW: We need the fans to stay. It has been hard for them and fans don't like to see the Boro losing or not playing better but they have been here through thick and thin and we need them more than ever now.
EB: As you say, you have only played a couple of games but you did seem to develop an almost instant partnership with Didier Digard. Do you think that your ability to gel with different players is one of your assets?
JW: I'm not sure really. In pre-season I played a couple of games with Didier in midfield and we did well against Sunderland. I just think we clicked but Bates has come in and has done really well. We have some really good midfielders at this club - Gary O'Neil, for example.
EB: So what's next for you?
JW: I've just got to work hard, keep my head up and force my way back into the team.
Speaking to Josh you get the feeling that he will do exactly that. Confident without being arrogant, he is passionate about the game and his team. He is also ambitious yet modest. He appears to have a very level head on his shoulders.
Walker came on as a substitute for Julio Arca in the FA Cup tie against West Ham and will be looking to make himself a more permanent fixture in Southgate's starting eleven.
Hopefully he will be given the chance to develop his partnership with Didier Digard next season and his overall play because young as he is, Josh Walker is a natural leader and whilst it is far too early to be thinking about giving him the captain's armband, he nevertheless gives the team a massive boost.
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 25/2/2009
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