HOUSE OF FRAIZER
He played for England and trained with Tevez and Ronaldo at United... now Terriers star has returned to his roots
FRAIZER CAMPBELL has come a long way since Sir Alex Ferguson asked him to get the teas in.
The former Manchester United academy ace always knew he was going to face fierce competition for regular football at Old Trafford.
But after leaving the Red Devils the striker never looked back and, after successful spells with a string of top clubs, the 32-year-old has seen his career come full circle and is loving life having returned to his roots with hometown club Huddersfield.
“I was always on the fringe at United, in that place between playing with the reserve team and then training with the first team, but never quite playing for the first team,” reflected Campbell.
“Sometimes you don’t see any light at the end of t he tunnel and you never really get that chance.
“Sir Alex (below left) was always nice with me, but it was difficult at United. I was t here from the age of 10 until I left when I was 21. “He was always messing around with me, getting me to get the teas and coffees in for everybody
“But that was his fun side, that was the old school vibe. He was an unbelievable manager.
“Manchester United was always the team I supported, so it was a dream rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ronaldo (top), Carlos Tevez and all those top players.
“But the best part of the week is definitely a Saturday, without a doubt. You want to be out playing. If you don’t get that then sometimes you have to go out and get it.
“I went out on loan to Royal Antwerp with Danny Simpson. It’s funny because he’s here with me at Huddersfield too. It was life lessons for us, playing in a men’s league at 18. It was good for me as a footballer.
“I went on to get promoted with Cardiff and got promoted into the Premier League. It was a great experience.
Highlight
“I’ve got so many highlights I’m proud of. I’ve played at Old Trafford, played for Tottenham and England.
“And I’ve been to Wembley a few times with Hull, so there’s another highlight. Hopefully we can do something special with
Huddersfield this season or the next.”
Campbell joined the Terriers on a free transfer in the summer and has embraced life back in West Yorkshire.
But as well as impressing on the pitch the down- to- earth footballer is also working very hard off it as a proud ambassador of the Huddersfield Town Foundation.
The Foundation works tirelessly to help improve the lives of young people across the region, with the ‘ Early Kick- Off ’
BBreakfast kf t Club Cl b initiatives i iti ti at t 41 primary schools across the Kirklees borough of the town, where children are given a free healthy breakfast.
And Campbell loves inspiring kids, many of whom come from socially-deprived backgrounds, to succeed in life.
“Now I’m back here I’m doing a lot of work with the foundation. It’s really important to me,” stressed Campbell.
Community
“I’ve got an opportunity to help and that’s something that means a lot. I want to use my privileged position to help people.
“The Foundation does great work. I’ve got my own kids so it makes me want to do more work in the community.
“Every child should have a breakfast. It’s sad to think some kids don’t get a healthy breakfast and might not have eaten since lunch the day before.
“Football is a journey at the best of times, but it’s nice t o end up back in Huddersfield.
“It’s great to be home.”