TAFF AS TEAK
Wales star Roberts has got the future nailed with life as a carpenter when his career ends
MOST players hate hitting the woodwork – but not Wales international Connor Roberts.
The right-back has revealed he escapes from the pressures of football by practising his love of carpentry.
He will be back in action with table-toppers Wales in Group B4 of the Nations League tomorrow against Ireland in Dublin.
And when the Swansea full-back returns home he will swap life at the top of the table for making one in his garage.
It is a different pastime to most professionals who love gaming, golf and have alternative hobbies.
But Roberts, who turned 25 last month, is such an enthusiast he is already making plans for life after football.
He won his 19th cap in Thursday’s 3-0 friendly defeat by England and said: “When I get a bit of spare time I like to do woodwork and make things. “I did a bit in school and now I am a footballer I have quite a bit of spare time. I do enjoy trying to dabble in that.
“When I finish playing I’ ll probably try to look for a carpentry y apprenticeship.
“I know a few guys in Swansea and they’d be more than happy for me to be their apprentice.
“I make all sorts (right) and at the moment I’m h a l fway th r o u g h completing a desk for a friend. When I get back from this camp I’ll be cracking on with that.
“It was my birthday the other day and people weren’t sure what to get me. I told them, ‘ you can never have too many tools’.”
Down-to-earth Roberts regularly posts his creations on social media and admits to spending a lot of spare time studying the skill.
The defender, whose club are riding high in the Championship, added: “I watch YouTube videos and follow a lot of accounts on Instagram that make furniture, along with joiners and carpenters.
“I’ve picked up tips and tricks. I
AT FULL STRETCH Wales’ Connor Roberts closes down England’s Jack Grealish
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Randolph: Doherty, Duffy, Egan, Stevens, Brady, McCarthy, Hourihane, McClean, McGoldrick, Robinson.
WALES: Hennessey: Williams, Ampadu, Rodon, Davies, Morrell, Smith, Brooks, Ramsey, James, Roberts. follow more joiners and carpenters on Instagram than I do anything football-related.
“I watch The Repair Shop on BBC – I love that. It’s another level. The people in that are professionals a and simply top notch.
“I also watch Homes Under the Hammer and Escape to the Chateau DIY.
“Not many players do this kind of thing, and people probably don’t expect me to be doing it. But the feeling when you’ve made something and you’re really happy with it is class.
“I am a bit of a p perfectionist, though. If I’m making something it has to be right. Otherwise, I’ll start again.
“I enjoy making things like furniture. I made a gate for myself and for my mum, while I’ve made a few bird boxes for my partner (above).
“I made a bookcase out of reclaimed scaffolding planks and I’ve built a workbench in my garage.
“It’s a good distraction for me. If anyone has any spare wood I’d love to have it.”