Football Writers Player of the Year Lee Gale

Tindle News

Transcript

00:00So Gaelar, we're here at the Football Writers Awards and you've won the Gordon Clegg Award for Player of the Season.

00:05First of all, how much of an honour is that?

00:06Yeah, it's brilliant. It's the second time I've won the trophy and yeah, it's fantastic.

00:11It's a bit of a, as Andy said earlier, it's a bit of an interesting one because it's so close to the new season

00:16and we're talking about last season now and it feels like ages ago, doesn't it?

00:19Yeah, it does. It almost feels a bit weird, the fact that I'm sat here in my new club kit.

00:24I was just going to say, the biggest thing here is Gaelar's arrived and he's in a full Foxtail tracksuit.

00:29You're here and my main question is, I think everyone kind of knew it was written in the stars you returned to Foxtail

00:34but why now?

00:36Well, obviously I promised them I'd go back but obviously I've got a couple of things on this year.

00:41I am going to miss a good chunk of the season and I might never get the chance to do it again.

00:45I've had 16, 17 amazing years at Peel and yeah, you can't play footy forever and I'm not going to go back on that word.

00:53Was them coming up to Div 1 a big factor in that?

00:55Yeah, massively. As I say, I said to them when I left when I was 14, I was like, if you come up, I'll definitely come back.

01:00And how many of the lads that were there at Foxtail when you were 14 are still there now?

01:04Betty, Liam, Craig, Scotty, Tuana's obviously the gaffer.

01:14I'm just trying to think.

01:15You don't want to forget anyone?

01:16I can't, no. There are a few, you put me on the spot there.

01:20But you must be excited to play with them again. How much are you relishing the season ahead?

01:23Foxtail, it's the first time, I don't even know in how long, it's ages since they've been back in Div 1.

01:27They must be buzzing to go back up. It's been a while coming.

01:30They've gone close before. What's pre-season been like and how hopeful are you of this season?

01:34Yeah, pre-season's been really good. I mean, I've only played two games.

01:38Obviously, we played Laxey at the weekend and won 3-1.

01:40We played U3 the week before that and won 8-1.

01:42And already there's like little partnerships that have already started.

01:46I definitely think there's enough for the boys to stay up and definitely challenge and cause a few upsets.

01:54We know who's going to be at the top of the league.

01:56I fully anticipate Peel to be up there. I anticipate Ayr to be up there.

02:00And I think Ramsey will probably knock on the door.

02:02But I'm really looking forward to Saturday against Russian.

02:05I honestly think we can, after how we performed against Laxey at the weekend,

02:10I think we can put a good account of ourselves.

02:12Were you almost surprised going back to Foxdale?

02:14I know that you've played for Peel, you've gone for titles year after year,

02:19and now you've gone to a club that's newly promoted.

02:21Were you almost surprised at the standard of the boys at Foxdale?

02:23Or did you know you were going to come back in and it was going to be great?

02:26No, they can all play football.

02:28The big thing is, and they won't mind me saying it, is fitness.

02:30Fitness is key.

02:31I mean, if you look at teams over the years amongst football, the fittest team wins.

02:36Not necessarily the best team, the fittest team.

02:38And you boys will have seen that in years when you've had to dig deep and stay up.

02:41Even when you're in Division 2.

02:43There are some really good footballers at Foxdale, but ultimately it comes down to fitness.

02:47And if you can outrun a team nine times out of ten amongst football, you'll beat them.

02:51And the big question is, how many times are you going to make an appearance in the Baltic?

02:54Because Barton tells me there won't be that many often, you won't be going back after a game.

02:57I'll be there every week.

02:59And will you miss this part of it though?

03:00You knew Peel, I know it must have been a big decision to leave Peel.

03:03Yeah, it was massive.

03:04Even now, you get nervous coming back because they're your mates, do you know what I mean?

03:07And I want them to do well.

03:09I want Peel to win the league.

03:11That's the club that I've always liked with Foxdale.

03:15You go to school, you aspire to play for Peel, do you know what I mean?

03:18So, on my terms, there's no bad blood.

03:22I'd like to think, not on the way out, yes, there's a little bit of banter and stuff like that when you first go.

03:26But the boys are all pretty new straight away.

03:29There probably wasn't bad blood until you wore the full track suit tonight, Gaelis.

03:32I just say, that's not my fault.

03:35That's your boys for leaving it too late.

03:37Yeah, fair enough, fair enough.

03:39So, you're going travelling, aren't you?

03:41When is that? That's the big question.

03:43How many games for Foxdale are you going to have?

03:45I think I've worked it out.

03:46I play the first nine, go away, come back and then depending on how many games Foxdale have called off.

03:51Fair, fair comment.

03:54Yeah, I might get the last six or so in.

03:58I think it's something like that anyway.

04:00Well, best of luck for the season and enjoy your travelling.

04:02Cheers, Gaelis.

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