MAWSON: FROM FRUIT AND VEG TO LION KING
ALFIE MAWSON has gone from helper on his dad’s fruit stall to England Under-21 leader in three years.
The Swansea defender started last season at Barnsley, moved to the top flight, and could soon be pushing for a senior England cap.
The 23-year-old says he will “stay humble” after selling apples and pears to help his family in Ealing on a Saturday afternoon.
Now he is using his booming voice to organise team-mates and one day hopes to be club or even Three Lions captain.
Mawson (right) said: “My dad Gary has the fruit stall and helping was a standard thing. I was always helping out as a kid and loved it.
“The work ethic helps you on to greater things but you have to stay humble no matter how far you get.
“I am busy now on Saturdays. It has been a whirlwind, up and down season, in which I was thrust from the Championship to the big league, and getting this England opportunity.
“One day I would Iike to be club captain and, if that meant going on to national level, it’d be a dream.
“For now I take everything in my stride. Ask me a year ago if I’d be taking part in the semifinal of a major competition and I would never have imagined it.”
Mawson is one of the loudest in the England team and he added: “That’s how I am.
“I want to be a young leader. I want to be a player in six years’ time that young players ask for advice.”