NO FEAR
Proud friend and former teacher on the Welsh Galactico’s fearless drive to succeed
GARETH BALE’S success is down to never fearing failure, according to his former PE teacher.
Gwyn Morris taught Bale at Whitchurch High School in Cardiff and remains a family friend.
He has stayed in touch as Bale blossomed from a shy, quiet, skinny schoolboy to Premier League star with Tottenham and then the world’s most expensive player at Real Madrid.
Morris was at Wales’ Principality Stadium earlier this month to see a fit-again Bale come on as substitute as Madrid won a third Champions League trophy since he joined in 2013 for £85million.
Morris told Mirror Sport: “It was quite surreal to be in Cardiff and see somebody you know lifting such a prestigious trophy.
“In your life you don’t get to see things like that very often.
“It was a dream for Gareth to get a third Champions League winners medal and I know how hard he has worked to get back to fitness.
“Even though it was a smaller part than he hoped, it was a brilliant occasion for him and Wales to see such a top event coming here and for Gareth to take part.”
Bale dominated the Premier League during his last season at Tottenham (below), scoring 21 times in 33 games. And it was this form that prompted Madrid to sign him.
His switch from Spurs to the Spanish giants, after being named PFA and FWA player of the year, eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80m move from Manchester United in 2009. But the Wales international, 27, has justified the outlay with 67 goals in 150 games to help Real win La Liga this term, plus previously the FIFA Club World Cup, European Super Cup and Copa del Rey too.
Morris, who taught Bale from 2002-2005, can still remember him helping Whitchurch win the Cardiff & Vale Senior Cup as a skilful 16-year-old playing for their Under-18 first team. He says Bale has always been single-minded to embrace challenges and achieve success rather than be driven by money. “Top players want to challenge themselves,” added Morris. “The challenge was there to go to Real Madrid. “It is a massive challenge and you have to accept that challenge and that is what he has done. “The money is nice, but it is to play for the best sides in the world. Those that do it don’t have a fear of failure. It is that need to achieve.
“He can be an inspiration to any kid – don’t be scared of going forward or aiming and playing for the biggest team and going to try it.
“The best players in the world want to play in the biggest matches for the biggest teams.
“He took the gamble to go out to Real Madrid and was so positive about it.
“A few years later he has three Champions League medals and the medal for winning La Liga as well. He settled in and is still working hard on his skills and fitness.
“You get out of life what
you put in and Gareth has had dedication and commitment and the attitude to work really hard and also enjoy the life there.
“The fruit of that labour is coming through now in trophies and medals and it is fantastic.”
Bale has also starred for his country with 26 goals in 66 appearances since his debut in 2006 as a youngster at Southampton before moving to Spurs in 2007.
He played a key role at Euro 2016 with three goals as Wales reached the semi-finals after notching seven of their 11 goals in qualifying, plus two assists, to send them to their first major finals since 1958. Now his latest triumph with Real has led to Wales boss Chris Coleman hailing Bale as Britain’s greatest footballing export.
But Morris insists Bale will not be resting on his laurels and reckons the man himself will only assess his own career once he has retired.
He added: “Gareth is not the sort of player to look back until he stops playing.
“You make that assessment when someone retires and you look back on their career. I am certain that is the way Gareth will look at it.”
There remains plenty more for Bale to achieve yet.
Morris and his pupils will be watching keenly as Cardiff ’s own Galactico is still a regular visitor at the school.
GARETH BALE: The quiet, skinny schoolboy who became the world’s most expensive player