Former Charlton captain Nicky Bailey has joined Boro for another chance at playing in the Championship, and to hopefully achieve his Premier League ambitions. But how is his golf handicap?
ComeOnBoro.com's Elle Brunton reports.
Nicky Bailey is a something of a curiousity in football, a player who has had another job!
Having been released from Fulham as a teenager, Bailey was without a professional club for five months during which time he was forced to seek gainful employed.
"When I was young I got released by Fulham, basically told I wasn't good enough. Bailey explained
"It was hard, I had to get out and find other jobs , I used to be a lifeguard, a gym instructor, I helped my dad on his market stall, i worked in a bookies too! Obviously while still playing football.
"It was hard work but something I had to do, and I had my football to look forward to afterwards."
But this experience, and the support of his parents, gave him the determination to chase his dreams.
"My mum and dad did a lot for me and my career so i'm looking to give them what they have given to me, hopefully its been worth it. he continued.
"I'm proof, if you stick with it and believe in yourself you can get back to the top."
Unlike fellow new signing Kris Boyd, Bailey has not yet experienced the level of success he is hoping for in his career.
After being relegated with Charlton Athletic in 2008, Bailey just wants to show what he can do in the Championship, and help his new team achieve promotion to the Premier League.
"It's a massive move, my aim is to play as well as I can. It didn't really go that well [At Charlton] getting relegated in my first year but this is an opportunity to get back into the Championship. he said.
"Players in the club have been in the Premier League, others [like himself] haven't been in it already, but the goal is to get [the club] back into the Premiership.
"Playing with these players week in week out can only make me a better player.
"My dream as a little boy was to play in the Premiership, I've played in every league but that one.
Bailey did all he could to keep Charlton up, finishing top scorer and being awarded the team's Player of the Year for his efforts.
And despite, or perhaps due to Charlton's relegation, Bailey knows all too well what a difficult league the Championship is.
"Obviously I've been in this league before, its a competitive league, we have to play well every week, if you don't you won't get the right results. he continued.
"We want to play well, get the team back into the Premiership. Whether I'm playing well and not scoring goals or scoring as well."
Like many midfielders Bailey began his career as a forward and found his preferred position in midfield as a teenager.
"When I was young I used to be a forward, moved to midfield when I was about 17, but I always score goals wherever I've been." he said.
However he is not underestimating his defensive duties in a Boro team which have lacked a strong holding midfielder for some time.
"You defend then you attack after that. If I can score as many goals as I have done hopefully I'll have done my job." he explained.
Bailey was also impressed by the facilities at Hurworth, paying particular attention to the state of the art golf course.
"I've actually been here before" Bailey said. " The hotel and the golf course...everything about it is top quality.
It is well known that Bailey is an golf enthusiast, which should help him bond with new teammates Gary O'Neil and Andrew Taylor, but when Bailey was asked his handicap, manager Gordon Strachan joked: "Whatever it is, its going up!"
When pressed Bailey admitted he didn't know his handicap as he "never handed the cards in!"
Like Boyd, Bailey was a long term target of Strachan's and the Boro boss is delighted by his most recent acquisition.
"It's been a long time, we started the process about six months ago so its great when things come together like this. It is great to get the targets you want because in football you get disappointed, we've managed to get there." he explained
"There's not too much money about now so we put hard work into transfer deals."
Strachan talked a lot about character, and insisted Bailey has both the drive and ability to succeed at Boro, where others have failed, or flattered to deceive.
"Nicky's character has always been there, he's got that drive its a great thing to have that's fantastic.
"Players can confuse you, running about and screaming, thats not drive, that's show. But Nicky's got that drive and he's a good footballer, he'll score goals as well.
"You can usually tell their character on the football pitch.
"Sometimes you think that's not the guarantee I got with that player.
"You try to find out, do your homework, what are they like with people?
"You do more due diligence now the money is less.
"This league test your character and Nicky's got it in abundance.
"You need character, self motivation and intelligence to get better but you need ability too.
"I say self motivation not winning mentality because if you compete someone has to lose but it doesnt make you a loser in life. If they've competed they can feel good about themselves."
However Strachan rejected the suggestion that he prefers plays around Bailey's age (26).
"I've played with guys at 34, 35, who were still self motivated but then I've got Luke Williams whose just turned 17 I think that's great because you can always improve at that age, all of them can get better.
Strachan continues to build his squad from the players he knows and admires but admits that going straight into the Premier League would probably have been a step too far for Bailey.
"Its handy that you get two targets. I thought it would take longer but fair play to Keith [Lamb] and the chairman. he continued.
"Its fantastic, sometimes its been two days and you can make dodgy decisions!
"I think its too much to go from leagues one and two to the Premiership now, but if at the end of the day he ends up at Manchester United, it means he was really good for us.
"I like people with ambition but I like good teammates too, if we can get there together, fantastic.
In his first pre-season with Boro, Strachan appears positive and relaxed, talks with Stephen McManus are "ongoing" and, he says he is 'not fussed' about finding new homes for players such as Mido and Didier Digard in whom there have only been "snippets" of interest.
"Last season sometimes we had no centre-backs and no midfielders! he said.
"People determine their own future in football, you can't make people leave.
"I'm not actively looking to get rid of people."
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 9/7/2010
No comments:
Post a Comment