afc sticker collection available
In redmatchday issue 06 the player featured is Michael Hector.
All too often, it’s a promising young Scot who gets on the train heading south, crosses the border and makes his way in the game for an English team, but Michael Hector is one player who has bucked that trend.
The young Reading defender has come to Pittodrie on loan this season and has quickly made a big impact for Derek McInnes’ team, showing both a sound technique and an ability to read the game that is invaluable at the back.
A natural sportsman, Michael is also a gifted cricketer, his dad having played for England Under 19s and Essex in the past. But it was football that attracted his attention and, qualifying for both England and Jamaica, he could yet follow his dad into the international arena, albeit in a different sport.
…”All my family have always been very supportive towards my career. I have one older brother who is a maths teacher. My dad played cricket for the England Youth team and was part of the MCC Young Cricketers programme at Lords which is quite a big thing in the world of cricket. From the age of 16 to 19 he was a full time cricketer but did not carry on playing the game professionally beyond then. Because of his experiences he gives me a lot of support. This support was particularly needed when I got released by Millwall as a youngster. He could easily have said forget about football and concentrate on your studies but he believed in me and told me I would get a second chance somewhere if I kept working hard.”
…”When I got released at Millwall it was tough. I had not been playing much, I was a midfielder at the time but was not played in my position when I did play and I also got injured. So the experience was quite demoralising. I went from being a professional footballer to playing Sunday League. Without the support of my family and encouragement I would probably be doing something different.”
…”If you do not believe in yourself then who is going to believe in you? I did believe I could do something in professional football. Football is about opinions and Millwall’s opinion was that I was not ready at that stage of my career. It is my job to prove them wrong and that is what I am going to try and do. I am just very grateful that I got another opportunity in the game and I was able to take it at the time.”
…”I love playing football and it is such a privilege to be part of the game”.
…”Nowadays defenders tend to be better on the ball. More central midfielders are becoming centre halves as teams want to play from the back because they want to keep control of the game by keeping the ball. Centre backs still need to be able to win headers and stuff so you need to be strong but I think they can be any size. It just depends how a team wants to play.”
….”There is nothing better than playing on a Saturday. Playing in a game on a Saturday which really matters. It is a lot better than playing in reserve games. Players do things in reserve games that they would not do if they were playing for the first team. It is great to get that experience. You learn a lot more in the real world. You have to fend for yourself. There is no one there on a Saturday to help you. If you are getting booed and getting stick from the fans you have to deal with it. If you are not playing well the Manager is not going to be nice to you. In reserve games the coaches are generally always kind and try and look at the positives. In the first team you don’t get that second chance, they will be very critical.”
“I have played close to 100 first team games now. That is a very positive thing for a young player nowadays and especially for a central defender. It is a position where managers tend to want to have some experience.”
AFC Sticker Collection
Over the next few months redmatchday will be giving away free stickers to collect and to put on your squad wallchart! The first eight stickers will be available this weekend. After that there will be four stickers with every programme.
The wallchart was on sale at the Viking game. If you did not get one, do not worry. You can still buy one, priced at £1 from the AFC Club Shop and also online by clicking here. Also in this weeks redmatchday: Richard Gordon, Derek McInnes, Scott Ferries, Chris Crighton, Russell Anderson and John Mellis. Plus all the usual features and indepth historical content.
redmatchday magazine is on sale from in and around the ground on Saturday and is also available from the Pittodrie Club shop still priced at £3.
You can pre-order a copy and have it delivered to your door – Visit www.curtis-sport.com and order your copy now or click here
