Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LORRY LAUGHS
Former factory worker Newton is following Vardy’s route to the top
KEVIN NOLAN had no axles to grind with England striker Jamie Vardy’s V9 academy graduate Danny Newton.
The reality TV star, 26, who quit his job making lorry parts for a crack at professional football, was outstanding as the League Two leaders were given a freight at the Lamex Stadium.
In Lewis Hamilton’s home town, you needed a private jet to dodge the traffic, if not the VAT, before kick-off.
And Nolan, forging a reputation in management with County after a basketcase baptism at Leyton Orient, remains top of the pile after Cheltenham’s late equaliser against Luton.
Nolan called for more professional referees in the League, while Newton – seven goals in 17 League games since England striker Vardy’s TV auditions earned him a job at Stevenage – is relishing the trappings of a full-time footballer.
He said: “It helped to score three in my first three games for Stevenage because it gave me confidence that I could play at this level.
“Jamie still texts me to wish me well and telling me to work hard. I watched the England game on Friday and enjoyed the way they went about it. I liked the way he was up against worldclass defenders, but he was still getting in behind them.
“His pace is frightening and I always think England look more of a threat when he plays.
“I love what I do now and never want to go back to working in the factory. I haven’t got time on my side like young lads starting out at 17 or 18 because I came into the professional game late and I’ve only got a short time to make an impact.
“Although the job hasn’t changed in one respect – putting the ball in the net – there are so many areas where I’ve improved already.
“I’m getting top coaching now, my body has changed completely, my diet’s improved, I’ve lost weight, I look slimmer, I’m getting help from sports scientists and it’s all helping me.
“Sometimes it’s hard as a part-timer when you have to go to games after work and you only have time to grab a sandwich.
“At this level, your prematch meals are right and everything is geared towards performing your best.
“You can’t think you’ve cracked it just because you get taken on by the V9 academy, but the hard work’s paying off.”
County were anaemic for 45 minutes and Stevenage deservedly led through Newton, but Elliott Hewitt’s equaliser (left) rewarded their improvement.
Nolan was unimpressed with Ross Joyce, the youngest referee on the Football League list, and called for officials to receive more help.
The County boss said: “He was a bit indifferent, but it’s a tough job. We moan about them, but these lads are working with professional athletes.
“A lot of them work in a day job then have to clear their minds and do the best they can. We need more professional referees further down the League.”