Birmingham City was an experience, it was when Barry Fry was first team manager. I trained with the first team and this was when Steve Claridge was banging in goals for fun with them and they were delightful and ever so helpful. I will never forget doing a drill crossing the ball for an attacking sequence and as I sweetly chipped balls into the area, a lad by the name of Steve Finnan connected beautifully and buried it top corner.
He went on to play for Fulham and Liverpool (he had a cracking career and was established as a great player) and he told me I had proper talent and executed the ball well. This bought confidence as pros rarely gave trialists a big bout of self-esteem and hearing this from a lad about to break into the first team was re-assuring. I played against Bristol City for Birmingham in an under18’s game and came on as a sub but was played out of position which made it hard but I gave It my all and I’ll never forget getting abuse from a fat ginger midfielder who sounded like he had overdosed on rice pudding and moved like a snail who got stuck in glue. I made him look like a fool and it was like ASDA as I had him in my back pocket for the 45mins I had on the pitch. The lads I played with were lovely and they were all nervous as they were also about to find out if they had made the grade and were to be offered first year pro contracts.
The head of development and coaching at Birmingham told my dad he would call in the morning and it seemed optimistic. The call was received and the bulls••t was spun out, “he is a little bit too small and he just misses out on a first year pro contract as we have just offered all of these out.” I was heartbroken and angered that the naysayers would be happy as my dreams were being put on hold but this only added fuel to the fire. My dad was like my agent and sorted out the interest from the clubs, he drove a hard bargain and believed in my ability and always said that never think about the What If’s? If my aunt had balls she would be my uncle and you can’t pluck a f•cked chicken’s ass.
Wise Turkish wisdom, those words have never left me but have offended many ha-ha. The agent dealing with Ian Wright was interested in me and I had a meeting with him, he managed to sort me a trial at Gillingham. I went and played a few games for them and in my first trial match I hit the post in the first ten mins against Crawley. I had a great game and I still think what could have been if that shot had gone in. The pro players were genuine and so kind, I played upfront with Darren Freeman who went on to play for Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion. He made me feel welcome and gave great advice when on the pitch.