FOOTBALLERS’ LIVES: BALLYMENA UNITED’S TONY KANE ON HIS NEW ARRIVAL AND PAIN OF LOSING HIS UNCLE...
Ballymena United midfielder Tony Kane on how he fell out of love with football after spell in England and an emotional year
❝ Playing in Belgium was the best thing I’ve ever done, playing in front of 20,000-30,000
QWhat are your earliest football memories?
AWhen I was about sevenyears-old I went along to John Paul Youth Club in Ardoyne and played football with cousins, it was great craic. At the age of 10 I started to play more and broke into the school football team.
I went to Holy Cross Boys’ School where I now work — I’m a teaching assistant. It’s a big school with about 400 kids. It’s funny seeing the teachers who used to teach me.
I look after a boy who is diabetic and there’s also an afterschools programme with football coaching. The school principal is Kevin McAreavey. His cousin was Tony Coulter and Eddie Coulter was at Manchester United’s School of Excellence.
They took me to Lisburn Youth where we had a good team including Marc Wilson, Jonny Tuffey, Gary Spence, Davy Armstrong and Daryl Fordyce. After winning the Foyle Cup the trials started to happen with Blackburn, Newcastle and Wimbledon showing interest.
I enjoyed Wimbledon but Blackburn came in with the first offer and it was a very family-orientated club. I was only 14 but my parents approved and I continued my education in England.
QIt was a big move for someone so young, how did you find it?
AI thought it was worth trying. I always wanted to play football and was well looked after over there. I signed a two-year professional deal and settled in well.
Mark Hughes came in as manager and I moved into the reserve team and first team squad.
Unfortunately I didn’t get the break so I went on loan to Stockport for a short time. I returned to Rovers and got on the bench a few times, including against Arsenal at the Emirates and in the Uefa Cup.
QYou secured a loan move to Belgium side Cercle Brugge, how did that work out?
AI was 18 and moved there in January, 2007. It was probably the best thing I’ve ever done. It was European football and playing in front of 20,000-30,000. Bruges is one of the best cities I’ve visited and I’d love to take my wife and kids there one day.
We were playing top teams like Anderlecht and Standard Liege, it was an unbelievable experience and they wanted to sign me, but I was given a new deal at Blackburn. I had been playing in Belgium and maybe should have stayed there.
You could say it’s a regret but then again had I not come home I wouldn’t have my wife Ashleen and the kids now. Back in England I went on loan again to Stockport and then Carlisle United where I agreed a deal and got off to a good start.
Injuries disrupted my progress and I went on loan to Darlington. Unfortunately things didn’t work out for me.
QHow disillusioned were you when you returned home?
AI didn’t want to play football again! It was hard coming out of full-time football and living with your parents again. You start to wonder what you’re doing with your life.
I signed for Cliftonville but they never saw the best of me and I was still adjusting to being back home. I probably achieved more than most young players who leave here to go to England or Scotland, I played at Wembley but on my return home the appetite for football disappeared.
We’ve seen players like Gavin Whyte benefit from playing men’s football before moving across but sometimes young players can benefit from top coaching over there at a young age.
QSo how did you resurrect your career with Ballymena United?
AI was offered to play for United against Ballyclare in the summer when Roy Walker was manager and Seamus Heath helped arrange it. I scored a freekick and started to fall in love with the game again. Eight years on I’m still with United.
There were good lads in the dressing room like Davy Munster, Allan Jenkins, David Cushley and Alan Teggart. It felt right and Roy offered me a two-tear deal.
In my early days I got sent off quite a bit and a bit of arrogance got knocked out of me. I had some rough times but the good times outweigh the bad.
QAnd the club is now thriving under David Jeffrey.
AThere’s something like 26 players there and some great players not even making the 18. They could make any squad in the league.
The competition is keeping players on their toes and noone is sulking. It’s a brand new team and you probably won’t see the best of us until next season.
QWhat’s DJ like?
AHe’s a character, a legend, a good fella who can be ruthless, funny and caring. He’s got that winning mentality that inspires the dressing room.
We won the League Cup at Seaview but also let ourselves down in a few Cup finals. I enjoyed playing under Spike (Glenn Ferguson), Lee Doherty and Norman Kelly too.
I moved into midfield and really enjoyed the competitive side. Glenn got the ball rolling with the County Antrim Shield win against Linfield.
QWhat has been your best and worst moment in football?
AWinning the League Cup as it’s a major trophy but captaining the club in the Europa League at Seaview was also special. It was a proud moment.
The worst time was being sent off against Glenavon in the Irish Cup final. I wiped Gary Hamilton out and it was just pure frustration. The early sendings off ruined the game but Mark Patton hit the winner.
QYou’ve a well-earned reputation of being one of the league’s top penalty takers, what’s the secret?
AI just pick a spot and go for it. I’ll have a look to see if the keeper moves and if they go early, your job can be made easier. Penalties had never been my responsibility until the last few years as Allan Jenkins, Gary McCutcheon and Alan Teggart did the job.
The only time I was nervous was in a League Cup game against Coleraine and it was a penalty in extra time. You could feel the energy, but I enjoy hitting them. I love scoring goals! I used to be a right back and you don’t get a chance to score much.
QWho has been a big influence on your career?
AMy mum and dad, Michael and Greta and uncle Billy. He borrowed a van to drive me around everywhere. My teacher Kevin McAreavey realised I had