I’LL SHOW GIGGSY & BECKS THIS CON MAN STILL HAS A FEW TRICKS UP HIS SLEEVE
CRAIG CONWAY EXCLUSIVE Veteran Scot’s move to Class of ‘92 club Salford has reignited his career
At 34, his career should probably be winding down. Less pressure and intensity. Fewer games as the rigours of a 17-year career begin to take a toll.
But Craig Conway’s having none of it.
That’s why in the summer of 2019, when he knew he’d be a bit- part player at Blackburn Rovers, he opted to leave.
That’s why he didn’t just jump at any offer thrown his way and waited until October for the right one. That’s why he signed for Salford City.
They’re the club everyone’s talking about in the EFL. Backed by a billionaire and the Class of ‘ 92. Rampaging through the lower leagues, with the ambition of reaching the Premier League.
And when Conway got the chance to be part of it, his mind was made up.
The former Ayr, Dundee United and Scotland winger is loving life at Moor Lane.
Incredibly, he revealed he has still never met either majority shareholder Peter Lim or any of the Manchester United legends who front the club – Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs or David Beckham. But every day, he can feel the sense of expectation coming from on high about what’s expected. Gary Neville is on record as saying he expects nothing less than a shot at promotion via the play-offs this term – if it gets finished.
The investment they’ve made in the team and Scots gaffer Graham Alexander demands it.
Conway loves that. With his career in danger of fizzling out after leaving Ewood Park, he didn’t just want a new club.
He wanted a proper challenge and the opportunity to be part of something special.
Salford’s profile, and their hunger for success cushioned the drop f rom the Championship to League Two and he now doesn’t want it to end.
Conway, who earned seven caps for Scotland, told MailSport: “I just wanted to be part of this.
“At this stage in my career when you move you don’t always go to a club with this sort of ambition.
“At 34 I d idn’t want my career to fizzle out. I still want to win something or get another promotion.
“We’ve got the EFL Cup Final at Wembley this season, which has obviously been put back now. But when I came here I knew there was a chance of things like that happening.
“People ask me every day about the owners – but I genuinely haven’t met any of them yet.
“The way they do it is good, they let the manager get on with it.
“That’s the right way. Graham is the manager for a reason.
“But the ambition comes from them. They’ve seen the club through the leagues and have been the driving force from the start. They still are.
“I didn’t play at the level the Man United lads have so there’s a real respect there – they’ve been there and done it in the game. So it’s great just to be involved with people like that and work for them.
“The kind of pressure we’re under here is what you want as a player.
“When you get to my age, if you can’t deal with that pressure, then you probably shouldn’t be playing. The owners said in January the play- offs were a minimum requirement and I see that as a positive.
“Ga r y clearly believes in the squad that he has helped to put together.
“It’s now within touching distance. If the season can be completed, we’ve still got a lot to play for.
“I e nj o y that pressure and expectation to deliver. It keeps me on my toes.
“If you’re not performing here, you know you won’t be playing.”
Conway wasn’t prepared to sit on Tony Mowbray’s bench at Blackburn, irrespective of the level the club were at.
He decided against taking up an option of another year at Rovers because he wanted to play games and contribute.
And he was convinced from the minute Salford came calling that it was the right move.
He said: “So far it has been great. Everything has been positive and there’s no doubting the ambition here – they want to go all the way to the Premier League.
“It’s not just a novelty thing, they’re serious about it.
“When I met the manager and trained with the squad, they made a big impression.
“It would mean a lot to say that I’ve played my part in something special here. I’d love to be involved in getting the club promoted. After that ,who knows?
“But certainly the owners will only be pushing the club one way and that’s up.
“The reason I left Blackburn was just to play. I didn’t feel it was going to happen for me there.
“I got on well with Tony and we had a good chat but I wanted to go somewhere and play games.
“I want to look back on my career and say I played in as many matches as I possibly could.
“I didn’t want to sit in the stand or on the bench for a season at Blackburn so I left.
“And I’ m really enjoying this, even though the situation right now is strange.”
The Covid -19 outbreak has had a devastating impact on the game and it remains to be seen whether the English league campaigns will be completed.
But whatever happens, Conway feels he has plenty more to give.
He doesn’t have to look any further than his gaffer’s office for what can be achieved in the latter stages of your career.
Alexander didn’t win the first of his 40 Scotland caps until he was 31. In 2009, he became the oldest player to make his Premier League debut while at Burnley, aged 38.
The Salford boss didn’t retire for another two years after that.
Conway wouldn’ t mind replicating those kinds of stats and insists he feels fitter than ever.
He said: “I didn’t know the manager before coming here. He made his last Scotland appearance just before I got involved.
“I’ve played against his teams a few times but this was the first time we’d met.
“He impressed me right away. He’s an honest guy and I had respect for him anyway because of the career he had.
“I’m a youngster compared to the age he was when he retired.
“It was refreshing to hear his take on age, fitness and how long you can go on for. We get on really well.
“I still feel that I’m as fit as I’ve ever been. Until the time comes where I feel I can’t offer anything, I want to keep playing.”
I’m just a youngster compared to Alexander when he retired .. it’s refreshing to hear his take on age and fitness