Albion star wants Prem rise to inspire young players
ROMAINE Sawyers wants his rise to the Premier League to leave a “legacy”. The thoughtful West Brom midfielder is acutely aware what his story could mean to the next generation. A key man in Albion’s return to the Premier League, promotion capped a glorious comeback to his boyhood club.
He was released by the Baggies in 2013 and dropped to League One with Walsall, spending three years at the Banks’s Stadium before joining Brentford.
Three more years at Griffin Park helped Sawyers grow and he returned to The Hawthorns last summer after seven years away. It had been a long time coming and, while he is not the type to shout from the rooftops, it is a journey Sawyers wants others to find inspiration from.
“We can’t all be Rooneys, it would be great to be Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard or Wayne Rooney because they are exceptional talents,” the St Kitts and Nevis international said. “But there will be more Adam Lallanas and Jamie Vardys and I can now be used as an example.
“Lallana was one who stuck in my head. He was maybe 25 or 26 when he first played in the Premier League and it gives you a real sense of belief you don’t have to make the Premier League at 22. Vardy was a late bloomer and they are a real inspiration for you to try and take the next step.
“It’s good motivation for the socalled next me. Not in terms of my playing style but the kid who is at a club and has to go down the leagues. “I could be an example now I’ve reached the Premier League. In five years’ time someone might say ‘remember Romaine, he was at West Brom but then went to Walsall and Brentford before going back and getting promoted’.
“I spoke to the boys who didn’t get a new deal this year and said ‘I’ve done it, you can do it but do it better.’ It’s a legacy which can be left behind. Although I would be lying if I said I knew it was going to come. I knew the things I’d have to do, work hard and showcase my talent, to get back there.
“I didn’t know if it was ever going to come but no footballer can say they didn’t dream of it when they were a kid. It took me back to being a kid when promotion was confirmed. As you get older dreams become targets, it’s a reality.”