MESSI OF THE NIGHT SHIFT

Wing rise from factory

LEWIS WING may have joined Middlesbrough from football’s ninth tier but he arrived with quite a reputation.

Wing’s nickname during his days in the Northern League was ‘The Shildon Messi’ and anyone who’s seen his repertoire of goals on YouTube will appreciate the label is well-earned.

One spectacular effort for Shildon, for whom he scored 37 goals in his last non-League campaign, even caught the eyes of the research department at Soccer AM, who showcased his talent to the nation.

Such has been his impact at Boro this season, the 23-year-old’s video library is expanding fast.

He has scored four goals from an attacking midfield role and after starring in last Sunday’s 1-0 win at Blackburn, he has now created more chances for his team-mates than any other player across the four divisions this season.

Carry on at this rate and the Boro boys will soon be following the example of his former Shildon team-mates.

“The lads just used to give me the ball and tell me to let it rip,” he said.

Wing has come a long way since working on the night shift at a local shower-making factory. He’d clock in at 7pm, not finishing until dawn was breaking.

“I worked there for two years, before that it was Tesco,” he added. “It was a job and a way to earn some money but, looking back, not particularly nice working those hours.

“It was always an ambition to become a professional footballer.”

Wing, who’ll be one of the first names on Tony Pulis’ teamsheet for today’s home game against QPR, claims local football remains a big part of his life and he is still close to many of his old team-mates.

“That helps me keep my feet on the ground,” he said. “My old Sunday side, Newton Aycliffe Working Men’s Club, they’re all best friends. If ever I get a Sunday free, I’ll go and watch them.

“They’re all buzzing for me, really happy about it.”

And the way he’s performing right now, so is the whole of Teesside.

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WING was talking at a communitybased event held by the club’s charitable arm, the MFC Foundation. “Coming from the area, I know all about the good work the MFC Foundation does across all areas of the community,” he said.