City were my heroes but now I’m out to beat them
SAYS BRISTOL CITY’S JOSH BROWNHILL
Josh Brownhill’s most vivid memory of being taken to Manchester City as a child came when stephen ireland volleyed an addedtime winner against reading.
‘My dad had put a little bet on City winning 2-1 and we were right behind the goal when it happened. it still sticks in my mind,’ says Bristol City’s impressive young midfielder, who returns to the Etihad tonight to face his boyhood heroes in an unlikely Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
Dad is Gary Brownhill, a lifelong City fan who played in their 1970s youth team with Peter Barnes and Gary owen before injury forced him to retire. he and wife Elaine will be there to watch their 22-year-old son compete against sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne. ‘it’ll be the first time i want City to lose,’ he smiles.
Though Josh also supported City, he played at United’s academy until being released at 16 for being too small. he took revenge last month as part of the Bristol City team who beat Jose Mourinho’s men 2-1 to put the Championship side into the last four with Chelsea, Arsenal and City.
reflecting on his time at United from the age of five, Brownhill says: ‘i’d take a Man City towel into training for a bit of a joke. There was plenty of mickeytaking, good-natured, as United were the dominant team back then,’ he says.
‘i was in the same age group as Ashley Fletcher, James wilson, Josh harrop.
‘ First- team players such as Michael Carrick and Paul scholes would come over to put on coaching sessions when they were doing their badges. wayne rooney popped over a couple of times to say hello but i was probably too starstruck to say much.’
Growing up, Elano and robinho were his favourite City players but rooney was Brownhill’s biggest idol.
Aged 11, he wrote a poem about the United star at school that was selected for a book — Talkin’ ’bout My Generation: Cheshire Verses — and included a prophetic final verse: ‘ his life is so ace/and he keeps up the pace/ i wish this was me/one day maybe we’ll see.’
That dream appeared to be over five years later when Tommy Martin, United’s youth coach, broke the devastating news that Brownhill was being released.
‘it was a horrible time even though it’s worked out for me,’ says Brownhill. ‘i’ve played 150 first-team games but you don’t know that will happen when you’re 15 or 16.’
Fortunately, Josh enjoyed a growth spurt of six inches the summer he left Carrington and was picked up by Preston north End, whose manager simon Grayson gave him a debut at 17.
A loan spell at Barnsley in 2016 saw him play twice at wembley and when manager lee Johnson moved to Bristol City, he took Brownhill with him.
last month, the midfielder experienced the most remarkable three days. he celebrated his 22nd birthday on the Tuesday, was in the Bristol City team who downed United on the wednesday and signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract on the Thursday.
‘Yes, i can’t quite believe it all happened like that. it’s amazing,’ he says.
‘ it wasn’t like a normal birthday. i had to stay in the apartment on my own to rest for the game, and restricted myself to speaking to family and friends on FaceTime.
‘Everyone knows what the United result meant. You could see it by looking at Korey smith’s face when he scored the winner!
‘ i was up against luke shaw and Anthony Martial — very daunting — and was probably more aware of my defensive duties than usual. But it wasn’t just a case of us sitting back as a team. we were adventurous when we could be and got our rewards.
‘ Mourinho came into our dressing room to say well done, i had a quick word with Marcus rashford and scott McTominay who i knew from United, and then walked out to the tunnel to see Phil neville doing the semifinal draw in front of me!
‘it was probably 2am before i fell asleep. And the next morning i drove to the station, collected my agent, and travelled on to Ashton Gate for midday to sign my new deal.’
Brownhill’s parents still live near Manchester and Dad rises at 4.30am to work as a binman, his round in Altrincham including several footballers’ homes such as United’s Juan Mata.
if things had worked out differently, Josh might have ended up at Manchester City. he trained with both Manchester clubs until he had to make a choice at the age of seven.
Despite the family allegiance, it was decided United would be the better place to develop. it might have been a circuitous route but Josh will finally step out for ‘City’ in a big match at the Etihad tonight.