Jobs4football meets Danny Barlow
Jobs4Football met with Danny Barlow, an English right winger playing for Blyth Spartans. I spoke to Danny about his time in America, and how his time abroad improved his gameplay.
Danny started his footballing career as a youngster in Sunderland’s Youth Academy and then joined Monkseaton’s Football Academy. Once Danny had graduated from Monkseaton, he was selected by England Schools U18s and was lucky enough to represent them.
“I knew one of the lads from Monkseaton Academy was playing at East Tennessee State, and he brought the coach over who saw me and said would I be interested in coming over. He told me about the lifestyle and the opportunities there and I snapped at it.”
Barlow was familiar with team mates from Monkseaton moving over to the United States to further their career. He was sceptical about the move at first, as he wanted to stay in England and focus on football on his home turf.
“It’s very athletic out there, they focus heavily on lifting weights, and in the preseason, there is a lot of running. However, over here it’s a lot more technical. The standard in the States is nowhere near the standard over here.”
Danny was introduced to an entirely new way of training and picked up on the similarities between American football and soccer. “In England, we don’t emphasise on the strength and conditioning, but you would be lifting weights about 3 times a week, and in the offseason maybe 5 times a week. Dependant on the coach, the similarities to American football, sometimes I would be going to training in the morning still sore. From what I found, I gained a lot of speed and it did help me in the long run.”
Staying motivated is tough especially when you are over 4,000 miles away from home. Luckily for Danny coming to America through the scholarship meant he was not alone on his endeavour. “I lived with a lad from Newcastle, an Australian and an American, that becomes your family, they are all in the same boat as you. It’s not as bad as it may seem.”
During his time in America, Barlow developed a passion for the States and wanted to stay, but suffered an injury half way through the season. “I tore my ankle ligaments halfway through the season, so I wasn’t clear to play until it was time to come back from Christmas, then the opportunity came from Blyth and it was too good to turn down. I wanted to find my feet here and start my career on home ground.”
I was captivated by Danny’s time in America and I thought it was essential to ask him what he had learnt and brought back to UK with him. “Without a doubt I’ve got a broader outlook now, it taught me massively how to deal with different characters and talk to people from all walks of life. It has definitely helped me in terms of getting socially accepted into teams. I’m more open to getting to know everyone and establish myself in the team.”
Playing for Blyth Spartans now, I was eager to hear what it was like when Danny moved to the club and what plans he has for the future of Blyth and his career. “The season in the US ends at Christmas, but I couldn’t play because I was injured. Although, at the same time I had graduated as well. It was a difficult one because I didn’t get the chance to have the preseason. Now I have got to establish myself in the team and get in the starting 11, which I think I can definitely do, I am confident enough in myself to do that.”
For being only 22 Danny has proven himself at many stages on many pitches, I was curious as to what Danny thought about his future as a footballer and if the opportunity arose would he leave England again? “I believe now would be the time to take the opportunity for first team football anywhere in the world, I would like to stay in England but if the option presented itself to play in Europe, I wouldn’t say no. If I was to move, I think now would be the perfect time to do it with no real responsibilities.”