BILLY’S PERFECT BIRTHDAY GIFT!
AS YOU blow your birthday candles out, winning your first international cap would be high on any professional footballer’s wishlist.
And that dream became a reality for Preston striker Billy Bodin this week, as he came off the bench for Wales against star-studded Uruguay in China, just two days after turning 26.
Having Gareth Bale as your team-mate and Ryan Giggs as your gaffer is not all glamour though, with Bodin revealing he was made to pay his penance by the Welsh dressing room.
“I had to sing once in front of the lads for my birthday, and once because it was my first call-up,” he said. “Stand By Me is my go-to song, so I opened up with that. Then I sang Rude by Magic! which I thought was going to be easier than it was. I didn’t realise there were so many high notes!
Idol
“One of my mates pointed out to me that three years ago I didn’t have a club, so to be in a changing room with Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale is a massive achievement for me. There were a few times I had to look twice.
“Ryan Giggs was my idol growing up. I supported Man United and used to go to Old Trafford to watch him play, so to be coached by him is unbelievable.
“But these guys are very down to earth, you soon realise they are just normal people.”
Though Bodin was unable to turn a 1-0 deficit to Luis Suarez’s side on its head, there was no-one prouder back home than dad Paul.
Bodin senior, below, won 23 caps for Wales between 1990 and 1994 and is, perhaps unfairly, best remembered for being the man who stepped up to take a penalty against Romania that would have sealed 1994 World Cup qualification, but missed.
“I spoke to my dad after the game and he just said well done and he was proud of me. He was the same age when he made his debut,” he said.
“It would be incredible if I got to represent Wales in a major tournament, but even to be involved in the qualifiers would be massive for me. Hopefully I can keep doing well at Preston and I’ll be considered.”
It’s been quite the year so far for Bodin, who in January joined Preston from Bristol Rovers on a twoand-a-half-year deal after 11 goals for the Pirates this term.
In only his second Championship appearance, Bodin netted in a 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest, and admits that did wonders for his confidence.
“The Championship is a big change to League One football, but I feel like I’ve settled in quite quickly,” he said. “The tempo and pace of the game is a lot quicker. Some people have said you get more time on the ball, but I don’t think that’s the case. It’s a massive difference and something I have had to get used to quite quickly.
“Moving in January is tougher than the summer. You don’t get a pre-season and time to get to know the lads, you’re straight in at the deep end. I’ve had to learn on the pitch and it’s forced me to work hard, but it’s been good. I got my first goal, which helps, and hopefully we can go on and get in the play-offs.”
China is eight hours ahead of the UK but Bodin is now back on Lancashire time and desperate to make a statement in tomorrow’s game against fellow play-off hopefuls Derby. He added: “Derby are a great side and any positive result would be a good one but we want to win every game.”