Wanderers star Chris Herd reveals the EPL hard knocks that gave him toughness to be a footballer
ON a stinking hot day in Rooty Hill, Chris Herd has just finished a lengthy training session, but looks like he could happily go through another.
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ON a stinking hot day in Rooty Hill, Chris Herd has just finished a lengthy training session, but looks like he could happily go through another.
There’s a feeling he doesn’t want to waste a moment, and wants to appreciate each one too. At 28 he has been a professional footballer for almost half his life, but this career is still to fully ignite despite the fact it began in the English Premier League.
Injuries, changes of coach and off-field issues have been obstacles along the way, but Herd feels a new maturity, not least from being a father twice over. In the next fortnight the Wanderers midfielder’s wife Amii and their two children will arrive from the UK finally, eight weeks after the second, Hunter, was born.
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But Herd can also see the benefit now of some of the experiences he went through as a teenager at Aston Villa, signing as an apprentice under the UK’s old Youth training Scheme.
“From when I was a youngster the game has changed a lot, he said.
“That’s all gone out of football, things like cleaning the dressing rooms, cleaning the stands, polishing the manager’s shoes.
“I didn’t mind it - it gives you a grounding and shapes you up as a better person. It teaches you a lot of respect around the place. You have to earn the right to be in each changing room as you go up the ladder.
“It was a good system, but things evolve. It makes you a better pro because you respect everything - when you get there you value things.”
Perspective now also comes from the time spent on the sidelines, whether that was from two serious knee injuries or just falling out of favour.
“Opinions are a big thing in football, with a change of manager you can be in or out,” he said.
“I’ve not played as many games as I’d like, despite the fact I’ve been a professional since I was 15. I still feel I have a long time left in the game.
“I’ve had a few injuries, but touch wood I’ve been fit for a while. That’s not in my mind anymore. I’m coming up to 29 this year, and it hardens you up mentally. You go through bad days, but it’s about coming through as a stronger person.
“Every football has a mental toughness about them. You have to, to be able to make it in football. If you’re mentally weak you get left behind.”
Even so, there are things that are hard to bear, and any parent will testify to the difficulty of being separated from their children. Herd had a brief return to England to be at the birth of Hunter, and now is counting the hours until they arrive in Australia.
“It’s been tough but I have a great family - a great wife and two beautiful kids,” he said. “They should be here in a couple of weeks. I think they’ll love it over here.
“We had to wait for our son to have his injections and get his passport. Once he’s all good as far as the doc is concerned they’ll be on the first plane over.
“You have to grow up fast when you have a kid, you’re a role model to them.”