Brisbane Roar defender Tom Aldred on his excitement at playing in Australia
He has spent his entire career in the UK, but Tom Aldred has been lured to Australia by Roar coach Robbie Fowler and he’s excited about it.
A-League
Don't miss out on the headlines from A-League. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Tough defender and natural leader Tom Aldred is one of several fresh faces in a revamped Brisbane Roar squad under the guidance of Robbie Fowler. Used to playing for his livelihood in Britain, Aldred tells Marco Monteverde about his excitement at playing abroad for the first time and why it would be foolish to write off the men in orange this season.
You are captaining one of the teams in today’s internal Roar trial and have already led the club in the FFA Cup. Are you comfortable with the likelihood of being skipper for Brisbane’s A-League campaign?
Yes, 100 per cent. Being captain is something I’ve done before. I feel comfortable wearing the armband. It would be an honour. We’ve got numerous leaders in the team, so even if I was to wear the armband, we’ve got other players who can lead. But it’s something I’d love to do.
For Australian football fans who don’t know too much about you, how would you describe yourself as a player?
Someone who wants to defend, who wants to put his body on the line, who leads, who demands more from his teammates … I enjoy defending, I enjoy keeping clean sheets and winning football matches. I’m very passionate about winning, and that spills on to the pitch.
Stream every game of The 2019/20 Hyundai A-League season LIVE & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Had you previously been to Australia before arriving here a few months ago to play for the Roar?
Never. The first time I got off the plane in Brisbane was the first time I had set foot on Australian soil. I love it. It’s an amazing place. I really enjoy it. It’s somewhere that I’d like to stay for longer if possible. I’ve got family coming over at the end of the month, so I’m really excited to show them around.
Having spent your entire career in the United Kingdom, did you find hard to believe that you are now playing football in Australia, a country better known for other sports?
It is a bit of a mental spin out, but I’ve always wanted to play abroad, and when this opportunity came up, it felt like it was the perfect time for me. We’re excited. We don’t really know what to expect.
How did the chance arise for you to play for the Roar under Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler?
I got a phone call from him. I was in Scotland at the time, having played for the previous 18 months with Motherwell. I drove back to England, and we had a coffee, myself, Robbie and (Roar technical director) Tony Grant, and went through what their plans were for the team. For me it was a great opportunity, and it went from there.
How have you found playing under Fowler?
In the UK he’s legend. I’ve been impressed with him as a manager so far and he’s rubbed off on the players. There’s a good atmosphere in the camp. I’m excited to work with him long term.
Fowler’s recruitment has been scrutinised because he has brought to Brisbane a host of players previously based in the United Kingdom, where the played in lower leagues. Is it a formula that will work?
Definitely. The boys that we brought in from the (English) Football League and like myself, playing in Scotland, they were in leagues that were very competitive, and were playing for livelihoods and jobs. We all come from that background where we all know how to battle and work and fight for everything. They’ve got that British mentality. But what I would say about the players that have been brought in, they are very good players who could potentially play higher levels in the UK. In time we’ll prove to people that we’ve got enough on the pitch to be a success, so I’m not really bothered about what the outside world thinks.
Your former club Bury, who also owned you while you were on loan to Motherwell, were recently expelled from League One in England due to unpaid debts and poor ownership. Were you affected at all?
I didn’t have a lot of association with Bury. I spent six months there and then basically 18 months at Motherwell. It’s sad to see that happen to any club in the UK, I don’t think it’s happened before. Hopefully Bury can get reinstated next season as a League Two outfit. It’s horrible to see. There are a lot of clubs going through financial problems but hopefully these things can be sorted, and rules can be put into place in the UK so that clubs don’t overspend and leave themselves short in years to come.
Do you miss living in a country where football is like a religion?
Sometimes. I miss Sundays, where there were three games to watch. But here you can switch off from football and not be surrounded by it all the time which is good.
Since the start of the English season, have you been staying up late and getting up early to watch English matches?
No, I need my sleep. The sun takes it out of me here.
Who did you support while growing up?
Manchester United, so I didn’t really like Robbie (Fowler) as a player. We have a bit of banter about that.
Who was your hero when you were growing up?
I liked David Beckham, but as I got bit older as a centre-half I liked Nemanja Vidic.
Did you know much about the A-League before arriving here?
I watched a few of the games on TV, and I spoke to a few of the lads that had played out here and got a feel for it, and after that I was just excited to get here.
What do you expect of the standard?
It’s a very fit league. There are good players out here. From the FFA Cup games I’ve played, it’s very quick in terms of it’s very end-to-end. You have to be super fit which I feel we are. I’m looking forward to it.
Can you get your head around a competition with finals to determine champions, and no relegation?
It will certainly be a first, no relegation, because in the UK, lads are always looking over their shoulders if they’re down that end of the league. But we don’t want to be competing at that end of the league anyway, we want to competing at the higher end, and want to finish in the top six.
What about playing far fewer games compared to England?
I was at Blackpool when we got promoted to League One via the playoffs. I played 55 games that season. If anything typifies the English league, that’s it – 55 games, getting to Wembley and winning. It was a good end to what was a very long season. But the games are about to come around thick and fast here now and we’re looking forward to it.
MORE NEWS
Warner out again, but was he robbed?
Kent: True leaders prevail in finals football
QUICK QUESTIONS
First car? Audi A3
Favourite holiday destination? Las Vegas
Favourite stadium played at? Wembley
In a movie about your life, who would play you? Tom Hardy, he’s a good actor
Worst habit: Farting
Worst injury you have suffered? A hamstring when I was at Blackpool. I was out for three months.
If you were down to you last $10, how would you spend it? On a good meal
Originally published as Brisbane Roar defender Tom Aldred on his excitement at playing in Australia
Victory reacts to shareholder’s collapse
Melbourne Victory isn’t concerned by the collapse of one of the A-League club’s shareholders.
Report fears A-League W could collapse within just two years
A scathing report into professional women’s football PFA fears the A-Leagues’ Women’s will crumble within two years if the league doesn’t turn full-time professional by the 2026 Asian Cup.